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Have any of you ever built your own guitar/bass?

I'm thinking I'd like to finally build one for myself, a nice winter project for when it's too cold to go out. I've found several Tele-style kits online (all my guitars are Strats or Strat-style, w/ various PU combos), one of which is only $120. I'm sure the quality isn't too great, but it seems like a good (and cheap) way to get my feet wet.

If it works out well, I'd like to build a Les Paul next, and after that, a dream Strat, maybe a basswood body w/quilt maple top, HSH pu's with splits and taps for all kind of tonal variety, etc. etc. or a dream semi-hollow body Tele, complete with F-hole, or a P/J style bass....heh don't get me started.

I was just curious if anyone here had built their own and had some insights to share.

I'd also like to someday build my own tube amp, based on Fender's AB763 circuit, but that's another thread

No, I've never built my own, but I do have an aquaintance who does.

He hand-crafted everything, from carving the wood to enlaying the ivory to stringing the strings.

Yeah... I gotta dig out my Bible... hold on.

Yeah I did once. It's in the Bible.

THE BOOK OF LYONS
14:16-21

"Now Snake was in his home of B-Ville, when he stood atop the tallest building and shouted: Behold! For my axe of my blood and restless toil is finished!" Then he held the AXE on high, for all the heavens and the earth to see.
Now the LORD, with a mere Gibson Les Paul, became very jealous of Snake. He decsended down from the heavens and revealed himself to Snake.
A brilliant light engulfed the world, as the LORD revealed himself. Snake cowered and shielded his eyes. And the voice of the LORD spake:
YE WHO HAVE CONSTRUCTED THE AXE OF EARTH. THIS IS THE BEST OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH. YE AXE MUST BECOME MINE, SO MY MUSIC MAY PLAY, WHILE ALL THE ANGELS REJOICE AND SING, AND PLAY BASS AND DRUMS AND SHIT LIKE THAT.
Snake was terrified. Yeah, God I constructed this mean bitch just for you. The LORD was pleased. YOUNG SNAKE OF THE SOLID PHYSICAL STATE, YE HAVE PLEASED THY GOD, AND YE SHALL PLAY RHYTHM GUITAR IN MY BAND OF HEAVEN. WE ARE A BAND OF RAP-METAL. OUR MUSIC FILLS THE UNIVERSE.
Snake replied: "Play rhythm guitar for a rap-metal band? Fuck that!
And Snake descended into hell, where he played bass in Lucifer's powermetal band. [/b]

Solid Snake - You know what they say, hell's got all the good bands anyway.

LadyTevar wrote:No, I've never built my own, but I do have an aquaintance who does.

He hand-crafted everything, from carving the wood to enlaying the ivory to stringing the strings.

Wow, that's cool. I'm no Luthier, so my first guitar building experience will more of an assembly job than actually building one. I love working with wood and messing around with electronics though, so someday I may build my own from scratch.

I'm guessing from your post that your friend builds acoustics, yes? That's quite a skill, not everyone can learn that. I would like to someday build an acoustic, but my skills will need honing before I try such an endeavor. I'm still in the research stage right now anyhow, but I might ask to be introduced (electronically) to your friend someday, as a mentor, so to speak.

Drewcifer wrote:Have any of you ever built your own guitar/bass?

No, but I've made my own xylophone before.

Zaia wrote:

Drewcifer wrote:Have any of you ever built your own guitar/bass?

No, but I've made my own xylophone before.

Zaia, you're too hardcore for us..

Drewcifer wrote:I was just curious if anyone here had built their own and had some insights to share.

I'd also like to someday build my own tube amp, based on Fender's AB763 circuit, but that's another thread

My mate built a 7 string V for 1k. It turned out OK...it really needed a locking nut and floyd rose though.

Solid Snake wrote:

Zaia wrote:No, but I've made my own xylophone before.

Zaia, you're too hardcore for us..

Hehehehe....I try.

Zaia wrote:

Drewcifer wrote:Have any of you ever built your own guitar/bass?

No, but I've made my own xylophone before.

What materials?