Very tempting but it says not recommended as a first build. I have plenty of woodworking experience but my electronics knowledge is close to zero. Should I start with something easier?
A bolt-on neck kit would be the place to start. The Harley Benton kits are the cheapest, most complete kits out there that I’ve come across, plus the electronics all have push-fit connectors. The body wood is functional rather than ‘pretty’, so best finished in a solid colour IMO.
Both body and neck gave been reasonably sanded flat and sprayed with a clear sanding sealer. So staining the body and neck means sanding that all off first, though spraying with tinted lacquer is an option.
I’ve got a HB Jazz Bass kit and it’s not bad at all. I’m not using any of the kit hardware as I bought it to use up stuff that I hadn’t used on other builds. But the kit hardware and electronics are standard Chinese kit fare, useable but not outstanding.
The only real woodworking necessary on most kits is shaping the paddle headstock.
The Pit Bull kits are of variable quality, some with really annoying faults, so it’s a bit hit and miss. But they do offer ‘prettier’ kits with nice veneers on them (which are often spoilt by being covered in glue spots which need removing first (not always possible). The LP kits are probably the most reliable set-neck kits, but I think the bolt-ons are the safest bet.
Hollow body kits really aren’t that more complicated to build than solid body kits. Getting the wiring harness inside is the hardest part, but using latex tubing makes things pretty easy, just adds time.
But you really need to learn to solder if you want to start building kits. It gives you so many more options.
Very tempting but it says not recommended as a first build. I have plenty of woodworking experience but my electronics knowledge is close to zero. Should I start with something easier?
Oops, I must have missed that bit about not being recommended as a first build.
In reality I didn't find it any more difficult than my bass so I'm not quite sure what's driving that. It is a bit nerve-wracking gluing the neck in but that's all about making sure you've done your prep.
And you don't really need electronics knowledge, just a soldering iron and the circuit diagram. Having a multi-meter to check continuity helps but I don't think that really counts as 'electronics'.
Thanks, I think I'm up for it. I've disassembled strats and teles for refinishing & I'll entrust the soldering to my son if it looks too tricky. I might even try a bit of MOP or epoxy inlay decoration. I'm retiring in September so time won't be in short supply.
If looks half as good as yours I'll be a happy man.