• From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Topic: guitar kits

Anyone know of any good kits? I'd like to try my hand at building from the ground up. From what I've seen Bulldog kits look the best.

Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: guitar kits

Logo33 wrote:

Anyone know of any good kits? I'd like to try my hand at building from the ground up. From what I've seen Bulldog kits look the best.

Logan

You didn't mention price, so I'll say its not.

http://www.bartlettwoodworking.com/body.html

Vintage correct, and material accurate.

Much better than a reissue IMHO

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: guitar kits

thats wicked awesome! I don't think i wanna pay that much for my first one though... will definitely bookmark and keep in mind for the future!

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: guitar kits

Well, in that case the BullDog Kits are a great starting point. However I have heard instances where the neck was slightly warped or the frets wore out etc. For more information, search BullDog Kits in the Custom Shop and Luthiers-Corner section in the MyLesPaul Forum. There is a ton of info, people documenting their assembly, comments on quality and everything.

The Bartlett kits allow for a little more construction, since you can build your own Mahogany back and buy a top, or build your body and buy a neck (what I am doing) or any combination.

Good Luck!

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: guitar kits

I really just want to learn how to paint... I'll probably start with an SG or something with a solid color. Then I'll try doing a burst. I read on the mylespaul forum that someone built a bulldog les Paul and they said it plays better than their R7!

Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: guitar kits

Logo33 wrote:

I really just want to learn how to paint... I'll probably start with an SG or something with a solid color. Then I'll try doing a burst. I read on the mylespaul forum that someone built a bulldog les Paul and they said it plays better than their R7!

Logan

Thinking about it, its probably one of the "Seconds" that they sell on ebay. What kind of finish are you thinking of doing? Hand applied? or sprayed? Nitro?

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: guitar kits

I really know nothing about finishing. I was gonna order a book. My work space will probably be my garage so well see what's easiest for me. I prefer to use nitro

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: guitar kits

Logo33 wrote:

I really know nothing about finishing. I was gonna order a book. My work space will probably be my garage so well see what's easiest for me. I prefer to use nitro

Very cool, post updates and pictures if you can.

Thinking about it, my idea may not be feasible, because of the restrictions placed on Honduran Mahogany ie Bartlett's necks, there is no guarantee that I can bring it in. A further downside of living in a developing country, despite policy, whether it is let through or not is up to the whim of the customs officer.....

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: guitar kits

I have an idea for a warmth guitar I wanna finish before I'll start trying to build so itll probably be a while. I really dig warmoth stuff. I did an absolutely killer stray with them.

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: guitar kits

If you want Cheap and fun, go on ebay and pay $80-100 on a Saga kit

A little better kit is  the Guitar Fetish, and they have much more variety. Their Les Paul and SG kits are cheap, but they are set necks. they also have a set neck explorer kit!

The bulldog ones are good

A buddy of mine in WI does some nice ones too: http://www.youtube.com/user/jwhambone79

Warmoth ones are going to be quality but expensive.

I have done the Saga strat kit, and parted out the junk parts on it. Another option (if you're building a strat) is to just start buying parts and assemble one. This fits Leo's utilitarian view of the strat anyways - if something breaks or wears out you just replace it.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool