With the money I spent on kits and building tools, I could have bought...

[koolimy]

a really nice Martin guitar!

Before getting into kit guitar building I very rarely spent money on guitars, as my most expensive guitar was a Mexican Fender Stratocaster gifted to me by my mother.

Interestingly, each kit individually was more expensive than the Mexican Fender. And all I get is a few boxes with (really pretty) pieces of wood! I even have to do the assembly myself!

What have I gotten into?

[jread]

Welcome to the insane asylum!

I really think "Kit" isn't the right word for what many of us start with such as Martin, Stewmac, LMI, and Blues Creek Guitars "kits." It makes it sound like we can just put these instruments together like Ikea furniture or a model airplane. There is much more to it than that. Assembly certainly isn't the right word either. You are doing hard core woodworking and lutherie on a kit to get a playable instrument.

The kit is a starting point where you have all the building materials combined in a single purchase and a good part of the hard work is already done that requires more expensive tools and skills such as thickness sanding, joining plates, and neck carving which beginners usually don't have the tools for. But you still need to invest in some tools and fixtures to build a kit and have patience and learn your craft to get it built.

Also as so often mentioned here on the forum is that none of us seem to have met anyone that has built just one guitar. Once you get the tools and skills and complete one instrument, the bulk of your work is now done towards more. It's a journey and a pastime to keep improving skills and your tools and your build quality. At least it is for me. I've been at this 5 years now and have built 26 guitars. I'm slowing down a lot now because I don't really have any players left. I've given many away, I've sold some at cost, and sold some for "profit" but so far I've not sold to a stranger. Every one has gone to a person I know that wanted one of my builds. It's a huge treat to see them enjoy and play my guitars. It's a money pit but so are all my hobbies.

I would never suggest to someone that simply wants a nice high end guitar that building their own from a kit would be better than buying a name brand. You are correct that you could buy a high end Martin for the same cost and zero labor.

Anyway, just my thoughts. I enjoyed your post. So true!

[koolimy]

Welcome to the insane asylum!

I really think "Kit" isn't the right word for what many of us start with such as Martin, Stewmac, LMI, and Blues Creek Guitars "kits." It makes it sound like we can just put these instruments together like Ikea furniture or a model airplane. There is much more to it than that. Assembly certainly isn't the right word either. You are doing hard core woodworking and lutherie on a kit to get a playable instrument.

The kit is a starting point where you have all the building materials combined in a single purchase and a good part of the hard work is already done that requires more expensive tools and skills such as thickness sanding, joining plates, and neck carving which beginners usually don't have the tools for. But you still need to invest in some tools and fixtures to build a kit and have a patience and learn your craft to get it built.

Also as so often mentioned here on the forum is that none of us seem to have met anyone that has built just one guitar. Once you get the tools and skills and complete one instrument, the bulk of your work is now done towards more. It's a journey and a pastime to keep improving skills and your tools and your build quality. At least it is for me. I've been at this 5 years now and have built 26 guitars. I'm slowing down a lot now because I don't really have any players left. I've given many away, I've sold some at cost, and sold some for "profit" but so far I've not sold to a stranger. Every one has gone to a person I know that wanted one of my builds. It's a huge treat to see them enjoy and play my guitars. It's a money pit but so are all my hobbies.

I would never suggest to someone that simply wants a nice high end guitar that building their own from a kit would be better than buying a name brand. You are correct that you could buy a high end Martin for the same cost and zero labor.

Anyway, just my thoughts. I enjoyed your post. So true!

The insane asylum would be a great name for this place! LOL.

And yes, I DO NOT want to denigrate the hard work and craftsmanship we put into these "kits". I bet all of us who build with kits or build from scratch can feel immense amounts of pride and satisfaction when we get to hear that first G chord. It's that weird feeling that probably compels us to spend unholy amounts of money on this hobby!

26 guitars is amazing! It must be like total bliss (and agony, and frustration, and elation at the end!) to be able to build so many guitars. I'm only on number 4... If I get to 26, I could have probably bought a Wayne Henderson guitar LOL. And my family will stage an intervention.

Of course, this post was in jest. I have probably had more smiles (and tears, and cursing LOL) related to guitar than ever before in my life. Playing a guitar that you made with your own hands is a feeling like nothing other. And the cost of the kit is quite cheap once you understand that you are paying for an experience. Most of us would probably prefer spending time shaving braces than going to Disney World.

Also, in some ways we are actually saving money(?). My latest guitar, at least to me, sounds as good as any guitar of its kind I have heard on youtube, even those costing upwards of $5K or even $10K. So if I can get that sound at around $1000 (775 kit + shipping + mold + other supplies), that sounds like the bargain of the century! I bet most of your guitars sound better than any equivalent Martin or Gibson.

[jread]

If I get to 26, I could have probably bought a Wayne Henderson guitar LOL. And my family will stage an intervention.

I'm lucky to have a supportive wife for sure. Built my 1st one for her. For me the big hit is the case and tuners to be honest. I hunt around and find deals on sets of wood and have a nice little stack in my shop and can get started and build a nice looking body and neck on the cheap. Then I want finish the build with high end tuners and a good case and that's hard to do without a buyer.

I don't know how I got to 26. I'm obsessive I guess and have a lot of great musician friends who all love them. But I've only built 1 in 2024. Slowing down for sure. I did just start a new 00 though with some of Diane's special secret West Virginia black cherry and red spruce stash.

[Stray Feathers]

When you realize that the guitars you've made are better than (in my case) the Larrivées, Martins, Guilds, Takamines, etc. you've owned, you know it's been money well spent. As for the personal satisfaction and sense of achievement, that's priceless. Bruce W.

[tippie53]

what I spent learning this craft I hate to say but it afforded me a good living

[koolimy]

If I get to 26, I could have probably bought a Wayne Henderson guitar LOL. And my family will stage an intervention.

I did just start a new 00 though with some of Diane's special secret West Virginia black cherry and red spruce stash.

My very first guitar was exactly Red Spruce and Cherry! It's not my best guitar because it was my first, but it got me started on this whole mess of a journey, so it's special to me LOL.

[koolimy]

When you realize that the guitars you've made are better than (in my case) the Larrivées, Martins, Guilds, Takamines, etc. you've owned, you know it's been money well spent. As for the personal satisfaction and sense of achievement, that's priceless. Bruce W.

I definitely agree with this! The best thing about building your own is that the end guitar can be better, or at least more to your liking than any factory made guitar.

what I spent learning this craft I hate to say but it afforded me a good living

I just realized I spent more money at Blues Creek Guitars than I have spent on all my other music gear (guitars, amps, pedals, etc.) combined! And the problem is, I'm okay with that! LOL.

[MaineGeezer]

I never kept track. Knowing how much I spent would scare me too much! :-)

[rcnewcomb]

I have an instrument built by James Olson. I built my first guitar about 8 years ago. The Olson is superior in fit and finish. I have loaned the Olson to a friend since I prefer to play one of the instruments that I have built.