Official Luthiers Forum!

this looks like probably the same party:
http://bardsong.weebly.com/index.html

You have heard "if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is." and then, sometimes you will miss the boat if you don't leap. I wonder if it is worth the $150.00 to check it out.

Joe H.

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Joe

My wife asks me "How many Guitars do you need?"
I reply "When I die count them; thats how many I needed".

Geez, that's quite a stack of parts. Maybe Martin had a storage unit somewhere and forgot to pay their bill.

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George :-)

Verhoevenc, without a doubt I can see a pro as your self would have no interest in a kit.
I had way too many screw ups on my first build, so I think for me it might be a wise move to take a couple of steps backwards. I should have started with a kit first before a scratch build. There might have been a smaller fire, fewer expletives, a calmer shop and a nice guitar.

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Joe

My wife asks me "How many Guitars do you need?"
I reply "When I die count them; thats how many I needed".

I just ordered a bunch of stuff - necks w/blocks, backs & sides & a top.

I'll let you know how it goes. Should have it by the end of the week.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

What does a kit like that go for new? He did say that those were seconds, though probably fine for anyone except those who demand the very finest in cosmetics.

I have seen them start in the neighborhood of $450.00 - $500.00 starting price. It seems to depend on the wood and how far the progression of the build. I would guess around $700.00 but that is an off the wall guess. I just checked (Stew-Mac 5295 Dread. Mahogany, dovetail neck $441.00) I was close.

Joe H.

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Joe

My wife asks me "How many Guitars do you need?"
I reply "When I die count them; thats how many I needed".

Martin kits are "seconds".

There are varying degrees of seconds and the kits that Martin sells are on the better end of the scale - cosmetic blems, off quarter neck grain, pin knots, etc. They sell for between $350 & $450 plus shipping from Martin. You can go to their site for exact pricing.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

As Kevin said, all Martin kits are "seconds" and the ones linked here seem to be attractively priced. Personally, I think building a kit (or kits) is a great way for someone to get started. That's what I did and I've taken each subsequent build a step or two closer to scratch. After four guitars I've now done everything but cut the neck joint and I plan to tackle that task on my next one. This approach has worked well for me.

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George :-)

I will let you know what I think and post pics. I just bought the $150.00 set. I hope I get a real nice set...This is my B-Day present to myself...lol

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Joe

My wife asks me "How many Guitars do you need?"
I reply "When I die count them; thats how many I needed".

I've found on my scratch build that I have easily sunk over $150 on the "guts" of the guitar and hardware. This sounds like a decent deal even if you are only looking at it for the parts.

So I received my parts today.

Overall, I am very happy.

Here are some pics.

The back & side sets have some mineral streaks, a few tiny worm holes, and some grain compression.



The Sitka top has a little chunk out near the to of the rosette.


The necks are all off quarter, a little ding here & there, and one has a glued up heel that is not a great color match.




I feel these will be great for gaining experience without stressing about the materials.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I just ordered some odds and ends, so I hope I end up as happy as Kevin.

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Greg Hatcher
North Carolina

I was just going to report back that I got my package today. And I am happy. I got 3 uncarved neck blanks (One had a comment penciled about rift grain out of spec. I assume the others were similar issues, but looked good to me.); 3 fingerboards; 2 sound boards (looked fine to me, a little color variation), I also got a herringbone rosette and matching bent purfling (he actually sent two sets of the purfling). He told me he would throw in some extras. The extras were: some bone for nuts and saddles; plenty of fretwire for the three necks; 8 EIR head plates, and some of the basic black binding.

looking at Kevin's tonewood purchase, I wished I had asked about that, but I already have plenty for my slow rate of production.

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Greg Hatcher
North Carolina

Like I said previously I ordered the $150.00 guitar, the gear came in today (3 days after ordering)…I am very pleased. Shawn of Bardsong said he would give me some extras; he came through with flying colors. I ordered 1 guitar and with the exception of the neck I received 2 of everything, enough to build 2 guitars. I will get pictures up shortly.

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Joe

My wife asks me "How many Guitars do you need?"
I reply "When I die count them; thats how many I needed".

Well it is not great photography, but here it is. I think most is self explanitory.

Binding and fret wire


Soundboard back.


Soundboard front.


Kerfing, Braces, Heal and Tail blocks.
There were two packages enough for two guitars.


Back close up. It looks like there are waves in the wood.
Kind of like beach sand after the tide creats ridges.


Back set #1.


Back set #2.


2 sets of sides.




Finger board w/ binding and frets. MOP markers.


Head w/ flaw writen on tape.


I got the tenon and mortis. He also had dovetail for extra money.


Neck and truss rod, there was 2 extra head plates like the one on this head.


Extra fret board.





Well I rumaged through the box before tossing it...Very Glad I did. I found a third bag with 6 ea. Martin Machine heads, 3 ea. 5" bone saddles, 3 ea. bone nuts, 1 rosewood bridge and another 10' of kerfing. (kerfing is in 5"-10" pieces) 2 ea. nice figured head plates and 3 ea. bridge plates.

I think for A buck fifty I came out pretty good.
Do I need to take better pics?

Thanks,

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Joe

My wife asks me "How many Guitars do you need?"
I reply "When I die count them; thats how many I needed".

you did awesome !

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

Agreed! Those are good deals. Now get busy and have some fun!

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George :-)

I'd like to thank everyone for all the nice reviews of my parts and kits. I have a very large supply of these items and am still selling kits from 150-250 and parts priced accordingly. I try to point out all flaws as they do exist but are very workable. Again, thank you all very much.
Eye Candy....

Hey Shawn,

Payday I will be ordering more bro. Awsome deals.

Happy as a Lark,

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Joe

My wife asks me "How many Guitars do you need?"
I reply "When I die count them; thats how many I needed".

OK...here's the problem. I am a woodworker for 30 years...furniture. My son ( age 29) is an avid guitarist (I was when younger)...he has a Martin 00, '64 Epiphone and several electric guitars. I thought it would be cool if I took on the project of building him a nylon string guitar to add to his 'stable'. Seeing what this fella has, I was wondering if there is anything I could use to build my #1 guitar? I wouldn't know what to ask or order... If he doesn't have anything for a nylon...then what would I ask for to get a nice full size steel string? The price is perfect for me to 'start' my new pasttime building guitars...
Please guide me...

Is this guy away? I emailed him a couple days ago, no answer. Does he have any short-scale slope dred kits?

Don't know where he currently is but I doubt he has short scale slope shoulder dred kits - I don't think Martin makes a short scale, slope shoulder dred.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Well, sloped dred would be ok. Classical necks also. Anyway, anyone in touch with him lately?

I e-mailed him when this thread first started and have not received a response.