Best way to dip ones toe into building?

[ClaptonWannabe2]

Is there a go-to kit out there to get a person started? I love woodworking. Am meticulous with sanding and staining, so a guitar build appeals to me. How does one go about it without spending $700 on a Stew Mac kit?

[JonWint]

How about a Martin kit for $400 or $320 if you are a MOC member? (No staining necessary.)

https://www.martinguitar.com/1833-shop/#!/c91/s94

[ClaptonWannabe2]

Originally Posted by JonWint

How about a Martin kit for $400 or $320 if you are a MOC member? (No staining necessary.)

https://www.martinguitar.com/1833-shop/#!/c91/s94

Wow. StewMac kits are near $700 and I can get a kit from Martin for 300 less? I'd like to eventually have templates from a body that I liked and the ability and knowledge of where to get interesting woods to build from.

[DukeX]

There's these guys as well.

www.bluescreekguitars.com/

[Rodger Knox]

Get Cumpiano's book, and read it from cover to cover, so you are familiar with each step and the overall sequence. Sponsors over on MIMF.com are reliable hardwood suppliers, there may be a few here as well.
I remember when 1960 was a 2 lane road, with 2 traffic lights between I-45 and I-10. I'm from Conroe.

[westman]

Get u'r self over to OLF
great resource -
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewf...376678f2c61b0f

[printer2]

Check out some of the build threads in Build and Repair. It gives you a range of methods others use and an idea of how much you want to do for your first build. Lot of help for the asking.

[woodbox]

Can you find a mentor?

It's not simply a matter of "what to do", or "how to do it",
it's all about when to do it, in what order.
Knowing the sequence of procedures is essential, and you can find that in a book or a website, but I was sure glad to have a guide.

There are many things that can accommodate variables,
and ones creative side can come out and play.
But there are a few crucial measurements and angles that must be right.

Having a mentor was a real blessing for me, cuz he knew when we could play with the measurements and when they had to be dead-on.

[printer2]

Not your average guitar or building method but shows the process step by step.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=496685

[tennbidder]

Start with a stewmac ukulele kit. I did one and modified it (abalone rosette, changed back bracing, made my own kerfing, etc)

[CFW]

Originally Posted by tennbidder

Start with a stewmac ukulele kit. I did one and modified it (abalone rosette, changed back bracing, made my own kerfing, etc)

I’ll second this. I started with a Stew Mac kit.

Second uke was scratch built, first acoustic guitar is waiting for some warmer weather to complete the finish. Then there’s about 12 or so electrics from scratch along the way. Those are easy next to an acoustic in my opinion.