So since my Orange Squeezer build has sort of hit a wall, I’ve considered other projects. One of the ideas came to mind after reading an inspiring thread on a guitar builder’s forum. I’ve begun researching options for building a guitar. I’ve looked at basically three different options. The first one that came to mind was a Saga kit. You can pick these up on E-Bay and many other online retailers. These kits are really cheap, around $100 USD for a Telecaster style kit. Really. The good news is that they’re great for learning but if you happen to do a good job, you won’t really have much of an instrument. If you do get it wrong though, you won’t feel as bad and you can pick up a replacement kit for cheap again if you take a great big gouge out of the body while trying to do something interesting.
Warmoth has an excellent reputation as being one of the premier vendors of custom guitar bodies and necks. So I checked my options out over there and found lots of beautiful guitar bodies and necks of all styles. As always you get what you pay for and if you want to shop where they make the best parts, you’ll be spending a reasonable amount of money, around $450 USD for a basic telecaster body and neck. I hope that someday I’ll be willing to put this amount and more towards a personally built guitar, but I didn’t think it to be wise for my first build.
That’s when I found International Luthier. They’ve got customizable guitar kits that are pretty much right in between the cheap and expensive options mentioned above. What I really wanted was a neck with an ebony fretboard and with these guys, I could do it at a reasonable price. I think I can get exactly what I want for about 250 USD. combined with the fact that his shipping quote was less than others, it makes for a very affordable, middle of the road kit.
I haven’t yet put in an order as I’m not 100% certain I want to invest into this project at the moment. There are a lot of home projects that need funds so I’ve still got some decisions to make.
guitar build
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...