Guitar kits are a very appealing option for DIY enthusiasts and guitar players. And are a great stepping stone if you are thinking of building a more complex guitar in the future, or they could just be a one-time project.
Kit guitars are widely available, with Amazon and various Chinese websites (where most kits are made) being the most popular options. They range in price between about $200 up to around $300 if you want something with better quality parts.
But, are Guitar Kits worth it?
In my opinion, most definitely - YES. And here’s why…
- Excellent value for money
- Quick and easy to build with no specialist knowledge or tools required
- They give you the option to customize your guitar to make it unique
- They are a great base for upgrading and experimenting with hardware as you build it or in the future
Can you make a quality guitar from a DIY guitar kit?
Yes, but if you compare a kit guitar to a guitar costing $1000 or more, it will understandably be inferior in pretty much every way. However, if you compare it to a guitar that costs about the same as the kit or a few $100 more, you’ll get much more favorable results.
Low labor costs are not the only reason that some guitars are so cheap, the manufacturers use lower-quality parts, cheaper materials, have a very fast build time, and next to no quality control.
Kit guitars obviously don’t have the highest quality parts, but if you take your time, are meticulous with the build, and add a quality finish, you can easily create an instrument that is a lot better than one you would buy in a shop for about the same price.
What’s included in a Guitar Kit?
Most standard kits include the following:
- Hardware - tuning machines, pickups, bridge, screws, strap buttons, and any covers or a pickguard if needed
- Electronic components - potentiometers, capacitors, knobs, switches, and wires.
- Body - usually cut, routed, and unfinished, although kits with a finished body are available
- Neck - fretted with a nut, and usually a truss rod - unfinished (no paint or oil)
Some kits have a solderless option, therefore the electronics can be assembled without the need to solder anything.
The Pros and Cons of Guitar Kits
Pros
- Everything you need to build a guitar is included without you having to spend time choosing individual parts that may or may not fit together
- The most complex parts of guitar building - body cutting, planning, routing, fretting, and neck shaping - are done for you
- No speciality or expensive tools needed
- A fun weekend project to enjoy by yourself, or with a child or friend
- The pleasure of creating a working instrument you can play is immeasurable
- You can customize the finish to make it a unique guitar
- A great base for upgrading and experimenting with hardware
- The best start for any aspiring Luthier before committing to a full-on build from scratch
Cons
- There is no guarantee of ending up with a good guitar. You might make mistakes with the electronics or not get the finish to look the way you were hoping for
- Basic skills and tools are needed, if you can’t wire a plug and have zero DIY ability, this might not be the project for you
- Some think it is the cheapest way to get into playing guitar - it isn’t. Get yourself a cheap Squire or Epiphone from a second-hand guitar shop, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, etc. instead.
- Next to no resell value
What tools do I need to build a guitar kit?
To build most kits, you will need:
- Screwdrivers - mid-size flathead and a small Philips
- Sandpaper - 240, 320, and 400
- Small drill, and drill bits in case the holes are not predrilled.
- Adjustable Hex Key wrench or, better still, a set.
- Allen keys
- Small hammer
- Soldering kit
If your kit features a set-in neck (Gibson-style guitars), you will also need clamps and wood glue. If it features a blank headstock (paddle) you will need tools to cut and shape it. Or, if you’ve gone for a more complex kit may need a few specialty tools.
What do I need to apply the finish to a Guitar kit?
You’ll need various grits of sandpaper, masking tape, and either an oil finish or a clear coat such as polyurethane.
Oil can quite easily be applied with rags, but for a nice sprayed finish you will need a spray gun. You could try using spray cans, but if you want the glossy mirror-like shine found on factory-made guitars, you’re not going to get it out of a can.
What Should I Look for When Buying a Guitar Kit?
My recommendation would be to buy a kit from Amazon if possible. This will normally give you better options if you either don’t receive the product, it isn’t what you ordered, or there are any problems with it. But don’t just buy from anyone, check the reviews of the seller you are considering buying from, especially the low-star reviews to find out what went wrong and how well they dealt with the problem.
If the particular style of guitar you want isn’t available on Amazon, you will need to go directly to the company websites, which are normally in China, as mentioned earlier. There are a few risks with this method, but in my personal experience, I have hardly ever had a problem, and when I did, it was dealt with swiftly and professionally.
It’s also well worth checking out YouTube videos that review the guitar kit that you’re interested in. Some channels are biased, especially if it’s a ‘Paid Promotion’, but you will still get an idea of the quality of the kit and if you think you can make a good job of the project.
Wrapping It Up
Now that you have all the information you need on Guitar Kits, you probably agree with me that they are definitely worth your time, effort, and money. They are without a doubt the easiest and most affordable way to build your very own guitar. And if you really enjoy the experience, which I’m 100% confident you will, it could open the door for some fantastic, more complex guitar builds in the future.
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