Do I have enough time?

Dan Bombliss · Post by **Dan Bombliss** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 11:37 pm

Time frame*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message has been posted from pMachine.You can read the old posts in the pMachine forum: http://www.KitGuitarsForum.com/forum/th ... 78_0_2_0_C

iafratem · Post by **iafratem** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:14 am

Hey thank a lot guys. Honestly those were the answers I was hoping for haha. The more I read about making my own guitar the close I get to buying that stewmac kit...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message has been posted from pMachine.You can read the old posts in the pMachine forum: http://www.KitGuitarsForum.com/forum/th ... 78_0_2_0_C

Freeman · Post by **Freeman** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 5:45 pm

I usually dedicate a couple of months of evening work to building the basic guitar, then 6 weeks more for the finishing (about 2 to actually apply it, then setting and buffing time). Many guitar building classes are a week long (up to the finish stage) so if you want to more or less work non stop you can easily do it in your allocated time. Remember, however, rushing often results in mistakes.Remember too, that along with the $500 for the kit and related stuff (finish, mold making supplies, etc) you can easily put 500 into tools that the average shop doesn't have (small router, special bits, fret files, nut files, clamps and clamps and clamps). Download the SM instructions (free pdf) and spend some time going thru the build threads at this forum. If you type my name (Freeman) in the search box you see the early ones that I built (and my minimum home shop). Good luck with it, it is a very rewarding experience (and my first one is still my daily player)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message has been posted from pMachine.You can read the old posts in the pMachine forum: http://www.KitGuitarsForum.com/forum/th ... 78_0_2_0_C

KevinS · Post by **KevinS** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:36 pm

It takes me a minimum of 5 months start to string up!But that is just me.Kevin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message has been posted from pMachine.You can read the old posts in the pMachine forum: http://www.KitGuitarsForum.com/forum/th ... 78_0_2_0_C

Adaboy · Post by **Adaboy** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 8:20 pm

My opinion only, but if you are wanting to do a first class build and want a great sounding guitar, you will need to build several jigs, possibly buy some specialty tools that your dad likely doesn't have, and need to do a lot of reading. Doing that, I doubt 6 weeks will be enough time. If you can live with some flaws and are more interested in an assembly project, you can probably pull it off.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message has been posted from pMachine.You can read the old posts in the pMachine forum: http://www.KitGuitarsForum.com/forum/th ... 78_0_2_0_C

Freeman · Post by **Freeman** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 2:43 pm

I'm going to be the spoiler and restate my previous post. If you totally have your act together, have all the right tools when you start and work deligently you have time. If you have to stop mid build and order a bridge pin reamer or ask some questions, or heaven help, redo something, then you are pushing it badly.There is nothing wrong with waiting, building in stages, taking your time and savoring the experience., making something that you are really proud of.just my $0.02

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message has been posted from pMachine.You can read the old posts in the pMachine forum: http://www.KitGuitarsForum.com/forum/th ... 78_0_2_0_C

Dan Bombliss · Post by **Dan Bombliss** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 3:19 am

I don't believe you can build on in 6 weeks as your first one unless like freeman had said you have to be well prepared for it. But you can definitely do a pretty big dent in progress in 6 weeks. And every week while your at school is when you could wait for materials/tools or what ever, and work on it on the weekends, no doubt in my mind your time frame is workable.If you consider majority of the guys on this forum have pretty busy schedules, having 2 free days a week for some of them is unheard of, which is why some of the really long build times that people have mentioned, but like I said, I think your set, and I'd give it a try. Coming from someone in almost the exact situation as your in, I say do it.-Dan

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message has been posted from pMachine.You can read the old posts in the pMachine forum: http://www.KitGuitarsForum.com/forum/th ... 78_0_2_0_C

iafratem · Post by **iafratem** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 2:56 pm

Thank you all. I just wanted to post back so you know im acutally reading your comments! My kit should acutally arrive within the next few hours according to fedex tracking?! I did want to do this for the experience of seeing whats put into the guitars I play everyday. My goal is to be done by the end of Christmas break this year(5-6 months). Plus the kit will give me an excuse to come home on the weekends lol. I'm already learing too! A 2x4 isn't 2x4 at all... my Dad had a good laugh about that. Back to home depot!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This message has been posted from pMachine.You can read the old posts in the pMachine forum: http://www.KitGuitarsForum.com/forum/th ... 78_0_2_0_C

Dan Bombliss · Post by **Dan Bombliss** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 12:39 am

The best advice I can give you, and I'm sure everyone here will agree:

No doubt you will/can build an amazing guitar you have the materials now, and the potential. Just take your time as everyone else stresses, and don't let anticipation get the best of you and allow you to move on too quick and neglect things that should be addressed before it's too late.

Main thing I had found, just make sure you understand everystep before you do it. More important than dry fitting/clamping, in my opinion, is understanding what your doing, why your doing it, and multiple ways to do it. That way you have the understanding of what's going on and can choose which way you'd like to do it.

And don't forget, you have a huge amount of support and resources of information on this forum. It's almost fool proof

-Dan