Build Your Own Clone Message Board

I'm in the beginning stages of researching how to build a guitar. I was wondering if you guys could point me towards respected or known companies that make really great kits. Any great gems (websites?) of information?

Thanks!

I really want to get something from here;
http://precisionguitarkits.com/

The '59 LP kit, is Sooooo affordable!

I've built many guitars built from parts by people all over the place.

I started with a carvin bolt kit and a simple tung oil finish.

You can get kits from companies like Grizzly, BYO Guitar, Saga. Or you can buy all of the parts separately and assemble them into your guitar.

In my opinion the most effort goes into finishing the body and neck.

If you have access to a wood shop you can download plans and cut the wood yourself.

Stewart-McDonald has kits, tools, books, and instructional videos.

http://www.stewmac.com/

I know someone who built one of these and was tickled pink about it.

http://bulldogbodies.com/Guitar-Kits_c4.htm

http://www.carvin.com, search for Bolt Kit. I built one in 1997 and she is still my go-to strat.

These are great sources, thanks!

I've been looking and does anyone know of a place where I can get a Tele style body that also fits with a Strat neck? Seems like Most places only have Tele necks that fit Tele bodies.

You might have to go with Warmoth ($$$) to get that option.

You can put a strat neck on a tele body but not the opposite.

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Bodies/Op ... ocket.aspx

I have several times put strat necks on tele bodies then ordered Warmoth pickguards to cover the gap.

Really not helping my Les Paul GAS, the kit with flamed maple veneer on solid maple cap is awesome....

Telecasters are just shy of being neck-heavy. The Tele headstock needs to be as small as it is because otherwise the guitar would be neck-heavy. One can see the Stratocaster as a refinement of the Telecaster, as the horn on the stratocaster balances the guitar. Even if you could fit a strat neck (they are different at the neck-body joint) the guitar would be neck-heavy. The Tele neck is more squared off at the neck-body joint.

By neck-heavy I mean that if you stand and use a guitar strap and let go of the guitar, the neck will creep downward. An example of neck-heavy guitar is the Gibson Firebird. That being said, that old picture of Clapton, with Blind Faith, holding that Tele with the Strat neck looks awesome. I can certainly see the appeal of a Tele with the Strat neck.

If it is tuning stability that you want, perhaps you should consider a hard-tail Stratocaster, it will stay in tune like a Tele, and balance like a Strat.

Best Wishes on your project guitar.

I would recommend the other way around a la Steve Price of Thor fame

Guitar Fetish has very inexpensive kits:
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Guitar-And- ... _c_74.html

And, inexpensive bodies and necks:
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Necks-and-Bodies_c_70.html


I built a Saga kit a few years ago with my son. 90% of the time is finishing: sanding, priming, painiting, polishing. So, if you are looking for a sense of accomplishment, you can get it from the finishing. The assembly is relatively simple and doesn't take long. The Saga guitars come with this "sealer" that is very thick, so dyeing the grain of the wood or even staining is out of the question. The Guitar Fetish lits are bare wood, so the finishing may be more fun.

If you've never done it before, I'd recommend a cheap Guitar Fetish kit for practice. If you want a "dream" guitar (custom built with your prefered neck shape, inlays, etc. I'd go with Warmoth (for about $800).

The reclaimed redwood from Precision looks like it could be awesome.

Thanks for the additional info!

For my first build, I'm just going to do a straight natural finish. Does anyone have any good step by steps for just lacquering?

I have a kit from PVX guitars that I haven't had time to work on if you are interested. It is this one:
http://www.pvxguitars.com/doublecut.html

It is a little more expensive than GF kits. He also has tutorials on sanding and finishing on his site (and YouTube).

As far as finishing goes it pretty involved. You can make it easier if you don't use open grained woods. If you pick a maple neck (not a maple fretboard) and alder body there will be much less grain filling.

I have clear lacquer finished open grained woods (mahogany) without filling and like the look. A lot of people don't.

The steps I usually take are (short version):
1. Prepare for finishing by sanding from 120 to 320 to remove the machining marks.
2. Raise the grain and sand 220-320 (I've gone to 600) again.
3. Tape off all places you don't want to paint (like fretboard top, nut slot, neck pocket, etc...).
4. Apply a sanding sealer compatible with the top coat you choose.

Ths is where you would use a grain filler if you want a deep glass like finish.

5. Use a (satin) lacquer and apply in light even coats.
6. Let cure as necessary.
7. Level, buff, polish.

I feel the same rules apply to finishing most things be it a guitar or pedal box.

Thanks for the great info old_metal_head! About the kit - thank you for offering but I think I am going to stick with a Tele style for now. Thanks though!

Has anyone tried that grizzly kit?