Homebuilt Guitar Appreciation thread

[TonyK]

I'm amazed to see someone build their own guitar and the knowledge and talent you have to do this. I understand the pleasure you get from this and wanted to know the cost difference of your hand made version and one you'd buy from a store. Also, do you keep what you've built or have you sold any?

[OldTrucker]

4 hours ago, TonyK said:

I'm amazed to see someone build their own guitar and the knowledge and talent you have to do this. I understand the pleasure you get from this and wanted to know the cost difference of your hand made version and one you'd buy from a store. Also, do you keep what you've built or have you sold any?

Never sold one. but have given several away to kids wanting something to start on. Most were builds using parts from garage sale and flee market guitars and even some found in people's trash.

One I gave my son was an old Guitar I picked up at a venue where a punk rocker smashed it on the stage at the end of their set. A 1970's Harmony. I totally refinished and bought all new hardware and electronics for it. He used it several years as his primary guitar in the band he was in at the time.

Another my granddaughter now has was a Fender knockoff bass from the 70's that I reworked with all new hardware. Her dad took it to a music store for a setup and they said it was better than any of their new ones on the rack!

This one is a kit that I picked up cheap I replaced the tuners and the pots and output jack but the pickups tested out as good.

I have a SOLO Tele kit with a prefinished body to build got for 150.00 Just had to finish the neck and wire it up. Time will tell in the electronics and hardware quality. Also have an ES335 kit that someone else decided was over their head, maybe mine too! LoL

You can buy a decent guitar cheaper than you can build one for. Kit prices have a wide range and as always what you pay for is what you get in quality.

It is just the challenge of the build and just like the models I build, I get pleasure just looking at them knowing that I accomplished something.

I have played in bands starting in Jr High School and even did some session work in Nashville in the past. I don't play much anymore, I can't hardly even read music anymore. Arthritis hinders playing these days too.

[OldTrucker]

Done except for the setup and headstock decal.

The decal is in memory of our Grandson who passed in 2015 just shy of turning 4.

I will eventually give it to his little sister.