Has anybody had any experience with some of these DIY guitar kits on Ebay?

BigBeard

Senior Member
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Unfinished-Electric-Guitar-Kit-Mahogany-body-SG300M-/310243772265?pt=Guitar

I was skimming through the 'luthier supply' category on Ebay and came across several of these 'diy guitar kits'  I was wondering if anybody has ventured into one of these?  I mean they look like a decent platform for building an axe, and if the machining on the wood is decent, I don't see why they couldn't be built into some seriously nice guitars.  I am guessing that the hardware and pickups are junk, and obviously would need to be upgraded..... and the cheap stuff could be re-sold to maybe fund a six pack of Jacob's Best or maybe Natural Ice or some other rot gut beer!!!!  No, seriously, I was just wondering if it is a total waste of $140 or if there is something there to work with.  If there is something to work with there, I just may pick one up and build it.

Anybody have any opinions on these kits?  I'm curious........
 
I saw review of a PRS kit once and it basically said what you just did.  Supposedly the body and neck were decent for the cost, but the parts were all crap.
 
Can't say I have ever messed with any of these. I would be a little cautious, I've been told by guitar techs that a lot of these so called kits use unseasoned wood. Especially for the necks, which then bow and twist as the wood dries out.  That wood looks a little too light colored I think to be mahogany, but it is cheap.
 
The body of the kit in the picture is clearly at least a 3 piece glue-up, and the pieces don't match very well. So, you're probably going to want to paint it a solid color. Not the end of the world, of course. It's still mahogany, so it'll still have those characteristics.
 
nexrex said:
Can't say I have ever messed with any of these. I would be a little cautious, I've been told by guitar techs that a lot of these so called kits use unseasoned wood. Especially for the necks, which then bow and twist as the wood dries out.  That wood looks a little too light colored I think to be mahogany, but it is cheap.

Hmmm.  I never thought of the seasoning factor.  You might be right about that, but I would still think that if the wood was at least a year old I should be ok?  Would be a shame to put work into a guitar that would go all bavarian in the neck!

When I was in high school, I built a lot of projects with what we called 'Limba' or 'cheap mahogany' we called it cheap cause it looked like mahogany as far as grain, but it wasn't pink like mahogany is.  Maybe that is what it is?  Still looks like mahogany to me though.

Cagey said:
The body of the kit in the picture is clearly at least a 3 piece glue-up, and the pieces don't match very well. So, you're probably going to want to paint it a solid color. Not the end of the world, of course. It's still mahogany, so it'll still have those characteristics.

I'm not too worried about the glue lines really.  I would probably do a trans colored finish like the strat I just finished up, with black grain filler cause I still have enough for another guitar or two.  I hate paint on guitars, man.  I'd rather have the glue joints and let the guitar be what it is, than cover it up with paint.  That is just me.  I know that isn't the usual logic on guitars, but I love even mismatched grain too much to paint it!

DangerousR6 said:
Dewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww et...... :headbang:

Doug, I like your logic on this.  I mean what do I really have to lose other than $140?  One of my right handed friends is going to get a pretty nice christmas gift I think!!!  Too bad I can't get another neckplate from you for one of these..........  Maybe you could do me a round engraved medallion for around the pickup selector switch that said Big Beard Custom instead of Rhythm and Lead?  Actually, let me know if you could do that?  

I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on payday.  Worst case scenario I can use it for firewood!  I'll let y'all know what I think when I pick one of these up.  Now the tough part...... SG or JR?   I'm leaning towards JR...........
 
pabloman said:
Theres a ton of builds on youtube with them. They all seem pretty decent.

Could you toss me up a link?  That would be super to see someone put one together.....
 
BigBeard said:
nexrex said:
Can't say I have ever messed with any of these. I would be a little cautious, I've been told by guitar techs that a lot of these so called kits use unseasoned wood. Especially for the necks, which then bow and twist as the wood dries out.  That wood looks a little too light colored I think to be mahogany, but it is cheap.

Hmmm.  I never thought of the seasoning factor.  You might be right about that, but I would still think that if the wood was at least a year old I should be ok?  Would be a shame to put work into a guitar that would go all bavarian in the neck!

When I was in high school, I built a lot of projects with what we called 'Limba' or 'cheap mahogany' we called it cheap cause it looked like mahogany as far as grain, but it wasn't pink like mahogany is.  Maybe that is what it is?  Still looks like mahogany to me though.

Cagey said:
The body of the kit in the picture is clearly at least a 3 piece glue-up, and the pieces don't match very well. So, you're probably going to want to paint it a solid color. Not the end of the world, of course. It's still mahogany, so it'll still have those characteristics.

I'm not too worried about the glue lines really.  I would probably do a trans colored finish like the strat I just finished up, with black grain filler cause I still have enough for another guitar or two.  I hate paint on guitars, man.  I'd rather have the glue joints and let the guitar be what it is, than cover it up with paint.  That is just me.  I know that isn't the usual logic on guitars, but I love even mismatched grain too much to paint it!

DangerousR6 said:
Dewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww et...... :headbang:

Doug, I like your logic on this.  I mean what do I really have to lose other than $140?  One of my right handed friends is going to get a pretty nice christmas gift I think!!!  Too bad I can't get another neckplate from you for one of these..........  Maybe you could do me a round engraved medallion for around the pickup selector switch that said Big Beard Custom instead of Rhythm and Lead?  Actually, let me know if you could do that?  

I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on payday.  Worst case scenario I can use it for firewood!  I'll let y'all know what I think when I pick one of these up.  Now the tough part...... SG or JR?   I'm leaning towards JR...........
I could do that, be kinda cool.....Go SG... :icon_thumright:
 
I kinda like the double tele.... :icon_thumright:
sbd1.JPG
 
Sure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KViEi7GV7T8&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7vnIQglywo&feature=related

Check this out

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNFINISHED-SPALTED-MAPLE-LP-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-KIT-390B-/290466245271?pt=Guitar
http://cgi.ebay.com/DO-YOURSELF-DOUBLE-NECK-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-KIT-/310243780237?pt=Guitar_Accessories
http://126-music.en.made-in-china.com/product/LoUxKHBZrMrN/China-Rickenbacker-Guitar-Kit.html
 
pabloman said:
Sure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KViEi7GV7T8&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7vnIQglywo&feature=related

Check this out

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNFINISHED-SPALTED-MAPLE-LP-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-KIT-390B-/290466245271?pt=Guitar
http://cgi.ebay.com/DO-YOURSELF-DOUBLE-NECK-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-KIT-/310243780237?pt=Guitar_Accessories
http://126-music.en.made-in-china.com/product/LoUxKHBZrMrN/China-Rickenbacker-Guitar-Kit.html
I seen the spalted one, looks pretty cool.... :laughing7:
 
Saw the spalted LP and the double necks.  Hmmmm  maybe we should all buy one of these and see how goes it?  Another build off contest with 40 micro managed rules and nothing to actually win!!  Everybody can get pissed at everybody across the board then!  :icon_tongue:
 
I seen the spalted one, looks pretty cool.... :laughing7:


Spalted one is mine. I was thinking of clear or a light tobacco burst. My dad is a spray painter, so he should be able to help me finish this
 
pabloman said:
I'm in!!!!

nexrex said:
I seen the spalted one, looks pretty cool.... :laughing7:


Spalted one is mine. I was thinking of a light tobacco burst. My dad is a spray painter, so he should be able to help me finish this

How in the hell did I create this monster?  Really?  Guess I better decide which initials I want, SG or JR?  Either way, sombody better phucking buy it if I go through the effort...... I can't play a damn right handed guitar!  Although, it wouldn't be much to plug the holes in that JR and re rout the control cavity and then  :confused4: paint it, so I could play it!  SG would take way too much to make a proper lefty.  Decisions, decisions.
 
pabloman said:
A spray painter??? Like a tagger or a graffiti artist??

Nooooooooo, he's a retired car panel beater, so mainly repairing and spraying of car body panels
 
I'm putting together the 12 string tele kit from this place right now, I've got a build thread going over on the Telecaster forum but didn't do one here since it seems about as far from a Warmoth as one could get. I'm not sure if posting links to other forums is kosher here?
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/229221-ebay-12-string-tele-kit-build.html

I'm a bit worried the neck is going to be junk. The fret work is pretty rough, it seems like they beveled the edges of the neck too much, and the wood itself has a few small knots in it and isn't great looking.

BUT - it only cost $139 with shipping so I figured what the heck, it would give me some practice doing wood finishing and was a cheap way to play with a 12 string to see if I really wanted to spend serious money on one. I'm considering a 12 for my next Warmoth build.

As a little background, in general I don't like Teles, I don't like all maple necks, and the last cheap kit I built (A 25+ year old Saga) was total junk so I swore I wouldn't do it again. I bought this in part to challenge some of those opinions. FWIW now that I've started workgin on this, I don't mind Teles (could see myself owning another, maybe a thinline) I still don't like all maple necks, and the verdict is still out on the cheap kit thing.


A few pics:
kit_2565_l.jpg


kit_2571_l.jpg


kit_2579_l.jpg




And now I'm realizing I'm really late for work so need to get a move on. It's 25 minute drive, and I'm suppose to be there 2 minutes ago. Hmmm... but it's my birthday and my boss is out of the country so THHPPPPTTT!  :eek:ccasion14:    :party07:
 
  I put together a Strat and a Tele kit from Saga a couple of years ago. You are correct about the hardware and electronics, they were pure crap. If I remember correctly I think the only thing I saved from the hardware was the bridges from both kits. The bodies were both three piece and sealed with god knows what. I attempted to put a stained finish on them and ended up painting both with automotive laquers.The necks were not all that bad. One problem I ran into was that after mounting the neck and bridge I had to plug the holes on the tele and reset the bridge. In the end I robbed them of all usable parts and made chambered bodies for both sold one and gave the other away. This happened about 10 yrs ago and from what I see now with the kits it looks like QC is somewhat better. Hey, they were fun to put together and did'nt piss me off enough not to do it again, but I'm waiting for the "Wolf" kit haha.
 
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