First kit build - Martin dred

[rcplanefan]

Hello forum members! Please let me introduce myself as a new builder here. Since I started playing guitar about 15 years ago, I've had a goal of being a builder. I retired about a year ago from a 28 year career as an engineer building things, so now seems like as good a time as any to get into this.

I've been pulling my shop together and still have a lot to acquire, but after a few phone calls with John, watching a number of his YouTube videos, and reading as much as I can, I took the plunge and ordered my first kit from him. I aspire to scratch build in the future, but this should be a good way to get my feet wet.

Anyway, I plan to blog as I go and I welcome any feedback or help you can give me here. I live in Cincinnati, so if any of you are close by I'd love to get together and learn from you as well.

Here is the Martin dreadnought kit laid out on my bench. I'm actually surprised how much is already done - rosettes installed, neck finished. It looks like a relatively easy start, though I'm sure the devil will be in the details.

Onward!

[Diane Kauffmds]

Hi. Where do you live in Cincinnati? We lived in North College Hill before moving to West Virginia

[rcplanefan]

I’m in Montgomery. No clue why my photo isn’t showing up.

[jread]

I’ll look at the server in a bit to see if there is a problem with images. Thx for posting. New users need to have 2 posts approved by a moderator which I just did. Yours should go thru right away next time.

[Diane Kauffmds]

I'm not sure if the image problem is related to being new on the forum. If you make another post, after it's approval, everything opens up.

We were just in Blue Ash/Montgomery a couple of months ago. We moved to WV in 2010, but still owned the house. We had to go to the closing.

Try reposting the photo now.

[Diane Kauffmds]

I just did a test by uploading a photo. Try selecting "place in line". I did a preview and my photo uploaded.

[rcplanefan]

Diane - thanks for the quick feedback. I have fixed the first post with the photo. I've enjoyed seeing your posts here and look forward to learning from you and others!

[jread]

Glad to have you on board! John's kits are the best. I started with one of his kits. It mainly helps with not needing to invest in certain tools like side bender or drum sander and also having to figure out a neck from scratch. I'd bet a dollar that this is just your 1st build of many. Like those old potato chip commericals, no one can have just one. We are all junkies, keep those pics coming.

[TEETERFAN]

Welcome aboard! Nice to have you join our forum. I am also a rookie, about to finish my first kit. This is the place to learn, learn, and learn some more! I look forward to following your progress!

[nkwak]

Welcome! I’m outside of Pittsburgh and have been a novice builder of 14 years now. My only advice is to write down everything so that you don’t make the same mistakes next time.

PS: building your own jigs is almost as much fun as building a guitar IMO.