FDP Forum / Martin Kits - Anyone ever build one?/ 14 messages in thread.
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| jhawkr Contributing Member ********** ********* USA Final Four! |
The really tough work is done and anyone with patience, attention to detail and halfway familiar with hand tools could build one. I'm thinking of building one when I retire in a few years. A D-41 or a 000. It would be pretty cool to do one yourself! |
| Chris Greene FDP Host Idaho, USA Charlie Don't Surf |
I'd love to be a craftsman but I've never had the patience to do fine work. I admire those who can.<br /> <br /> What's the story on these kits? Link? |
| jhawkr Contributing Member ********** ********* USA Final Four! |
Here's the story... |
| Chris Greene FDP Host Idaho, USA Charlie Don't Surf |
Interesting but look at a few of the reviews. One said that based on his D41 kit the materials were second rate.<br /> <br /> It would be cool to build your own guitar. |
| jhawkr Contributing Member ********** ********* USA Final Four! |
"Solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top. Richlite fingerboard & bridge, white bindings and mother-of-pearl fingerboard dots"<br /> <br /> I wouldn't call the materials "second rate" but there are concessions to the factory built D-41. Most notably the Richlite fingerboard in place of ebony and MOP dots rather than abalone inlays. My guess is the trade off makes the materials easier to work with. You don't end up with a $3700 D-41 but you do get most of the basics for just over $600. Add another $4-$500 for specialized tools and if you do a decent job, you should have a very D-41-sounding guitar and pick up a wealth of knowledge in the bargain. |
| Peegoo Contributing Member ********** ********** That chicken is WRONG, baby. |
The Stew Mac kits contain much better woods than the Martin kits--which are composed mostly of seconds rejected by the factory line. <br /> <br /> These kits are not that difficult to assemble if you read a book or two on acoustic guitar construction, and then follow the instructions. Not a whole lot of special tools necessary, either. |
| Chris Greene FDP Host Idaho, USA Charlie Don't Surf |
I don't know about their acoustic kits but I once got a really nice blonde tele body from them. |
| CheesyBob Contributing Member ********** ** Kinda like a turtle, sticking it's head out! |
+ 1 Peegoo. <br /> <br /> I have considered the kits and found StewMac to be more attractive. <br /> <br /> I have not tried the kits yet but I plan to build another acoustic as soon as I find my inspiration. |
| CVH Contributing Member ********* The Resurrector "No thread is dead" |
This link is to a book about building Martin kits. |
| Jim Bob America |
"Solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top. . . . ."<br /> <br /> There are many grades of Indian rosewood, and many grades of spruce (which species do they give you - Sitka?). For example, Jean Larrivee rejects all but about a half of one percent of all of the Sitka he gets because it is not up to his standards. A small percentage will be instrument grade high quality tonewood, the rest will range from low grade instrument tonewood to lumber for furniture and all the way down to firewood.<br /> <br /> It is like rubies - you can buy a real 1 carat ruby on one of those gemstone cable TV shopping sites for $50, or you can go to a fine jeweler and buy one for $5,000. Are they both real rubies? Absolutely yes. Are they the same thing? Absolutely not. The cheap one will be cloudy, flawed and off color. The expensive one will be clear, flawless, deep red, and full of fire.<br /> |
| Chris Greene FDP Host Idaho, USA Charlie Don't Surf |
Great, now I want a ruby top guitar. |
| jhawkr Contributing Member ********** ********* USA Final Four! |
"It is like rubies - you can buy a real 1 carat ruby on one of those gemstone cable TV shopping sites for $50, or you can go to a fine jeweler and buy one for $5,000. Are they both real rubies? Absolutely yes. Are they the same thing? Absolutely not. The cheap one will be cloudy, flawed and off color. The next one will be clear, flawless, deep red, and full of fire."<br /> <br /> <br /> So, basically you're saying unless you're in a position to be able to select and grade materials and already have the know-how, tools and talent developed to the point of being able to construct from scratch, any attempts to build a kit guitar are useless and are doomed to failure? |
| green331 USA |
If you're serious about doing a kit check out the website below. Guys name is Tippie and from what I understand he gives great support on all the kits he sells. Prices are good too. I've been giving thought to buying a kit and if I do this is where I'll buy it. |
| jhawkr Contributing Member ********** ********* USA Final Four! |
If I do one it'll be after I retire. I don't have time for it now. But, I'd need to start collecting tools, books and know-how. |
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