Official Luthiers Forum!

Im thinking about getting a guitar kit just because of my love of playing guitars and getting great sound from good instruments.. I have been mulling over the idea of getting one of these martin kits. How good is the sound quality of a successful build of one of these? Also, are the regular kits based after the d-18 model martins? It isnt very specific..

Are you an experienced woodworker and do you have a shop? If so it's easier. But if you really want to do it you'll find a way. The key is reading a lot about what tools you need and methods. I built my first one and it took like 3 months.
     Now I'm making one from scratch. I'd been making furniture for a while amd have an evolving though primitive garage shop. Those kits are nice actually. I've heard some luthiers say they can come out better than factory built ones. I would get a kit with solid back and sides. I think they have a d-18 and d-28 kit. They also have an OM model or something too.
     If you are patient and willing to go through the growth experience and struggle you'll be well rewarded. You might even get addicted. My kit guitar despite its flaws sounds better than my Tacoma in most ways. nickton39079.6921064815

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"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

Would Welcome! I started in the beginning with a Martin D28 and then an OM. Be sure to get one of the the solid wood kits for a sound that will mature with age. Get the book Tradition and Technology. Martin's instructions are very lacking. These kits are quite good but I would like to suggest to you that you get in touch with John Hall at Blues Creek Guitars. You can find him in the sponsor list above. His kits are even better and will give you all the help you need to get through the project Plus the added benefit of more wood choices

Would,

I built 2 Martin Jumbos from kits. It was a challenge but not overwhelming by any means. I used this forum, kit guitars forum,

http://www.kitguitarsforum.com/forum/index.php

and StewMacs instructions. The first bolt on neck mahogany kit I got from Martin and the second dovetail rosewood from John at Blues Creek. Both sources were great but John was able to get me the dove tail neck as Martin was out. I also got the jumbo mold from John as well which was a life saver.

If you have any specific questions e-mail me larryATcox.net I'd be happy to help. Also have the Jumbo mold for sale if you are interested in a Martin Jumbo which is a GREAT size and shaped guitar.

Hope that helps

Larry

Just noticed I didn't answer your question re: sound. I would venture to say that any guitar you build will meet or exceed almost any production guitar. I think you will be more than pleased.LarryH39079.6021759259

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Thank You and Best To All

Oh yea My kit was from John Hall too. It also had koa back and sides.

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"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

   First off , to all of you that spoke so nice about Blues Creek Guitar , Brenda and I wish to say thanks .
   Now as for kit guitars , I think it is a great way to start. With a kit your parts will match , bracing and the more technical layouts are there and plotted so you don't have guess.
   Bracing is shaped and the radius on them so your starting where you need to be. This is important to get you familiar with the parts so in the future you will have an idea what the parts are to look like.
   The weak point is usually fit and finish , as this isn't a bird house and guitar finishing is an art to itself. Most kit providers will give you ample quality and at least the basic info. We try and ad to that building support so you have someone to talk you though the harder questions .
    Those that commit to building a kit will end up with somthing that will more than likely surprise you. following the basic info you should have a nice end result.
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com check out the tutorials there about building and it will answer alot of questions and may raise a few more.
Let us know if we can help
john hall

This forum is awesome. Thank you all for your suggestions and help I feel at home here already. I have been playing the guitar for about 7-8 years now and I have had this in my head for quite some time about building one. I think I'll start out with this kit "18KITH" on the martin site here.. https://www.martinguitar.com/1833/catalog.php?cat=Kits%20Par ts%20%26%20Tools I originally wanted the d-41 model but i figure ill start out cheaper.. Which model guitar is this one modeled after? is that the d-18 or 28?

What would be a list of parts that i will need for this build? Kit, glue, finish,...

Would - I think all of the options above are great in terms
of quality of material. The best accompanying source of instruction, though, is likely to be the DVD of Robbie O'Brien's that would accompany the LMI kit. The info that comes with a Martin kit is close to useless.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

My first was from a Martin kit, an OM cutaway and yes the info from Martin is useless. With the help of a couple books (Cumpiano/Natelson guitarmaking tradition and technology and Kinkades book ? cant remember} and everything I could find on the net I managed to put together a very nice sounding and attractive instrument, with a few flaws, well lots of flaws, but I'm improving. Im starting #4 this week and have come a long way, but still lots to learn. Starting with a kit, prebent sides and shaped neck is great way to start, saves on tools and time and will get you familiar with how things go together. Any of the above named vendors would do just fine. I am a full time woodworker with a well equipped shop but having caught the bug now have a separate room with all kinds of neet goodies for guitar building. Making those things is part of the enjoyment for me and each build gets faster, easier, and better as I accumulate the necessary stuff.

Definately great advice being posted here...

I am currently building my 1st using a "kit" I put together myself using mainly Martin provided materials. This way I will end up with a guitar, that I would call a "custom D-18" (it's a D-18 clone with Indian Rose Wood Binding and accents with an Abalone Rossete...the Tuners are still TBD).

Martin is not the only choice out there to get your supplies. For me it was a matter of availibility and a personal choice. I grew up in Nazareth and lived 4 blocks away from the original factory, so on my visits home I stop by to obtain supplies when needed.

Personally this project has been more fun because I am basically building from a kit, but, will end up with something completely my own (in more way than one).

Best of luck on your new endevour and besure to keep posting. I have been out of the loop for 4 months from this forum and building due to "Daddy Duty" our second was just born last month so not alot of my time these days are spent in the shop.

-JP

If your just hooked on buying a "Martin" kit for some reason, I believe John at Blues Creek also sells actual Martin kits... Then the added bonus would be excellent support and buying from a forum sponsor.

Holler if I'm mistaken about the Martin kit John.

    The one advatage with getting kits from us . We do stock Martin kits and we also provide custom kits. We also provide full bulding service.
     No other provider of kits will do that , so when you do need an answer to a problem when building , i am here to get you through the process
john hall
Blues Creek Guitars

I can vouch for the personal service that John provides. I remember his motto..."if it's not in splinters, we can fix it". Brenda also has greeat advice on making your guitar perform at its greatest potential. I'll let her tell you that one!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Would, you are absolutely right! This forum is awesome!

I’m working on my first, a ”STEW-MAC” dreadnought kit. The instructions that came with the kit are good, however, the advise I’ve got from this forum has been invaluable. You will find that everyone here is considerate, and very helpful!

Good luck with your project!

Sincerely, Robert

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

I can vouch for that--John has really helped me.

Should i buy a mold?

A mold is a small investment , as this tool will hold symetery and the neck block in the proper position. Without the mold you are relying on luck.
john

I'm finishing my first build right now, a Martin dread kit. I think a kit is ideal for the first build because it saves you from having to buy a lot of extra tools.

Re: Mold - I used the plans that came with my kit and made my own mold. If you don't feel capable, you can buy one. John sells those as well!! mbbransc39083.891875

yeah, i noticed he sells those. I will probably buy one i figure it will make it alot more accurate

Would, you can buy or you can make. There several styles of outside molds floating about, some more complex and time consuming to make than others. But, if you can buy one, thats less time spend ramping up and more time you can spend on building.

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Aoibeann

Would, first ask yourself if this is the only guitar you plan to ever build. If not, definitely get a mold. I personally like the molds that John Hall sells at Blues Creek Guitars.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

I wish I had had a mold for my first build from a martin kit, but I unfortunately had put to much weight on Campianos advise and fought through the process without. I think even if it is the only guitar you ever build it is worth the time to build one, for me less then 2 hours (ok I am a full time wood worker with lots of tools.) I believe that building jigs is an essential part of the learning experience. Sure you can buy them and that may be the right choice for some, but you may very well need to make a jig not available commercially to be able to make an idea materialize into tangible form. Just my take on it guys.

The first guitar that I built was a herringbone dreadnought. I bought a kit and mold from John at Blues Creek. The first guitar continues to amaze everyone with its looks and sound. I can personally attest to the fact that I would have been lost without John's help. No offense to Martin, but their primary focus is on selling new instruments, not kits. If you have a part from a Martin Kit that you are not happy with (or that you screw up) Martin will eventually get you a replacement when they can get to it. On the other hand, John has many times dropped what he was doing to go to his supply of necks or whatever, describe each one in detail and then send my choice to me overnight. John has called me many things, but patient is not one of them!

Now that I have been building steadily for more than 3 years, I no longer need to rely on John for kits. Instead, he sends me the wood, pearl & wire and I build from scratch using my Blues Creek Molds, Side Bender, Binding Routing Fixture, Fingerboard Laminating Jig, etc,etc,etc.

Did I forget to mention that I highly recommend John Hall not only for your first kit, but as a continuing resource should you get hooked with these darned things.

mfranks39084.7312962963

I already bought the martin kit.. But i am going to buy the mold & finishes from blues creek. Maybe ill go ahead and put my order in now.. What will I need as far as finishing the guitar goes?