Official Luthiers Forum!

First I would like to thank OLF and all its members for their information and support that is provided to all posters regardless of their skill level. Your time and effort is appreciated by all those who view this forum.

I’m still in the planning stage for my first guitar that I want to build for my Father and I ‘m sure that it will be some sort of kit. Thank goodness on this forum you don’t get blasted by even thinking about a kit.

I would like your opinions on the kits that are available especially if you have built one. What kit did you choose and what did you think of the kit and the results?

The kits that I am aware of are Stewart MacDonald, LMI, and Blues Creek. The main difference that I see are Stew Mac has shaped braces and no tuners. The LMI has tuners but unshaped braces. From what I understand the Blues Creek Kits have a variety of options and services completed on their kits.

Honestly though, I have been introduced to so many types of wood though this forum that I have found a fondness for Bubinga and thought what a nice guitar it would make. Maybe there is a Luthier in the Southern California area (I’m in Torrance) that would consider creating a serviced kit for me. Like many, my problem is space, tools and the all important dollar. Maybe someone would be willing to barter for a portion of the kit. I can provide Hypnotherapy services which is a great natural way to reach your goals. In addition, I also am willing to host a Texas Hold’em poker tournament at your location for up to 20 people. I will provide tables, chips, and dealers. I know these are two different things but these are what I’m good at.

Philip Perdue

_________________
aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

Philip,

Martin Guitar sells kits too. I haven't tried one myself, but I have read favorable comments regarding their quality, and Martin's customer service. The prices are quite competetive, and in some cases better than some of the luthier supply houses you mentioned. They also sell some special building tools too, but do not have the broad inventory of LMI or StewMac. Just another option for your consideration, plus your guitar will have the added 'cache'(sp?) of being a 'Martin'.
Here's a link.

http://www.martinguitar.com/1833/catalog.php?cat=Kits%20Part s%20%26%20Tools

CrowDuck
































CrowDuck

_________________
Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

I'd say go with Blues CREEK, John Hall provides free shipping in your country and he's a really nice guy to deal with

Serge

First guitar I built was from a Stew Mac kit and I'd thoroughly recommend a serviced kit as being the way to go on your first instrument. All of the suppliers mentioned would provide a good kit, but if starting out now, with my current knowledge base, I'd definitely be on the phone to John Hall at Blues Creek. You can't beat the personal service of the "little guy" (sorry John!).

Colin

_________________
I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

If you really want bubinga, it's a good thing you are getting a kit for a first guitar. It is probably the most difficult wood I have used as far as thicknessing and bending, this stuff is like armor (curly armor)! Beautiful tho.

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I guess it kinda depends on your confidence level; I started building electrics, once bolted together from prefab parts (cool, but only made me want to do it all for myself), from then on from scratch, so I had a decent feel for necks, at least. And I figured out I could get enough for 3 guitars for a little below the price of two kits, so I did that, and I'm not sorry. I did have the backs and sides thicknessed for me, though.

     I suggest that you start simple. First guitars seldom come out perfect as you will have some fit and finish issues. I can make you a custom kit of allmost anything .
       Learning processes is the most important thing now. Finishing is very tricky as is getting binding correct. I do support my kits with building advice so you are not alone
John Hall
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com

I heartily recomend John Hall as well for a 1st build, he's very knowledgeable
and can steer you in the right direction, can customize your kit to suit your
needs -I think most of his parts come from Martin- and has great prices for
great quality as well.

_________________
Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

I built a couple of Martin kit. Very good materials, but just barely adequate instructions. There necks are dove tail which is more difficult to set for a fist timer. The people in the 1833 shoppe are very nice but you will be limited in the tonewood and binding available.

I built one Stewart MacDonald 000 kit. It had very nice wood, mortise and tenon bolt-on neck and very detailed instructions

But if asking me what I would buy hands down I would go with John Hall's kits( Blues Creek Guitars). I Know Johns fixture work as I personaly use several, and his work displayed here on this forum. The ability to have a custom tonewood kit is big plus.

With that said I really suggest you build with either Indian Rosewood or Mahogany on your first build. Really Mahogany is in my opinion the place to start. Many of the more exotic woods have bending, sanding, gluing and other issues that you will not have the skills to deal with yet.

I hope you do not take my last statement as being discouraging, for I did not mean it to be. Good Luck, Good Building

I too would heartily recommend John at Blues creek.
I built my first guitar from a kit I bought from John. He was very available through the whole building process and helped me produce a very playable guitar. I bought the style 21 Martin kit and have been very pleased with it; one of my sons plays it now. good luck on your venture! Tom Harbin

Martin has only 3 Dreadnought laminated B/S kits available right now. Two are bolt-on necks, one is (presumably) dovetail.

I built an LMI OM Rosewood serviced kit last year and it was great. Robbie O'Brien's DVD was a big help. It comes with the LMI kit and is also available separately. The quality of the materials was first rate. I have no qualms whatsoever. But, if I were contemplating another kit for my next one, I'd probably go with John Hall too.

_________________
now known around here as Pat Foster
_________________
http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I had heard from my cousin that is a Martin dealer in Louisiana that Martin cutting back on packaged kit due a drop in sales of kits, but I figured that that was probably an urban rumor. Maybe not

I've noticed a slow reduction in the Martin kit models available. They used to have solid EIR & mahogany 000 and dread kits. Some jumbos and cutaways were available too. I've never seen their selection as limited as it is now, but maybe they're just low on stock temporarily. Their new catalog shows the full selection.

_________________
now known around here as Pat Foster
_________________
http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I have experience with the LMI standard kit. It comes complete with all the parts you need, and the quality is very good. I think they only offer a mahogany kit and an EIR kit, so you would have to spend a little more to get a different b/s set.

All the pieces are in the rough so it still requires a lot of woodworking. They also include the Robbie O'brien DVD for instruction.

_________________
53% of all statistics are made up on the spot
http://driftwoodguitars.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the info so far. I didn’t mention the Martin kits because I had read several times of people having problems with the parts fitting.

I am positive that I need a serviced type kit. The last time I did any woodworking was 40 yeas ago in Junior High School. Wow, all of a sudden I’m feeling a bit old. I did design and build a garage workbench and a full wall of shelves but it’s certainly not the same as a musical instrument. But since I have found Luthier forums and more importantly OLF, I am sure that I can fumble through most any event. The support that the members here give to each other is amazing. If someone has a problem they usually receive plenty of responses for resolution and support. If someone has an idea or wants to try something different they receive positive support and not ridicule. I truly hope that this forum can maintain this enriching environment.

Philip

_________________
aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

    I have seen alot of kits from Stew mac , LMI and Martin. They are all in the same lot actually. Martin kit parts will fit as well as any.
     rememeber a kit is just that ,and parts will need final fit. They are not a likem and stickem. When it comes down to it I am the only kit maker that can totally customize your kit .
    john hall
blues Creek Guitars
   I can also do you any wood you want from Ash to Zebra wood.tippie5338729.0054976852

Based on a very positive experience I heartily recommend John Hall's kits. Seems that I'm not alone based on earlier posts. It's the follow up help that will make you successful. John was always there to help solve the many issues that I encountered along the way. After three years, #1 still sounds and plays great. Thanks again, John!

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

    Remember to keep it simple , and the strings go on the outside.
john hall

My first flattop was a StewMac kit, and it was great. One of the best parts was the video and written instructions that came with it; I would encourage you to get your hands on the SM instructions and video regardless of whose kit you buy.