ShortScale.org

I was wondering if there are some guitar kits you fellows could point me to that meet these requirements:

Body shape based on one of the famous short scale designs ( or Jaguar). The neck doesn't actually need to be short scale.

Materials at least on par with MIM Fenders--no plywood, etc.

Fender compatible neck pocket.

Not too expensive--preferably under $400 USD

I'm not sure you'll be able to find a "kit" for shortscale guitars. They're not as popular/common as full scale guitars and isn't as much of a demand for such a thing. Warmoth will make bodies and necks but some have had problems with their "jaguar" not lining up with other aftermarket/correct parts. It also isn't cheap however they do make a great product.

Guitarfetish has been offering Guitar Kits for a few months now and they seem to be a great quality, they have recently offered a set neck mahogany SG and Les Paul styled guitars that seem amazing for the price. They do offer a Strat and a Tele style aswell that will fit their respective tyle of neck heels but they're no jaguar

Some of their pre-built axes look nice, but I'm weary.

I know selling direct allows them to cut costs a lot, but Les Paul type guitars for a few hundred?

They say "solid wood", but there are so many clever ways to define things like that...

They say "set up" in Boston. This, of course, means they are actually manufactured overseas..but where?
EDIT: Just found they're made in China. Not a deal breaker in itself, but I still need more info.

Does anyone have any experience with these things? They sound too good to be true. My main concern is the wood quality. I'll end up replacing pickups, anyway. I'm stuck with the wood they come with.

SoylentGreenIsPeople wrote:I was wondering if there are some guitar kits you fellows could point me to that meet these requirements:

Body shape based on one of the famous short scale designs ( or Jaguar). The neck doesn't actually need to be short scale.

Materials at least on par with MIM Fenders--no plywood, etc.

Fender compatible neck pocket.

Not too expensive--preferably under $400 USD

hmm. i'm sure if such a thing existed, we'd all have one.

I would imagine you can pick up a shortscale type guitar foR $400 or less if you look around. Building guitars yourself is rarely the cheaper option against second hand prices. You also need to the chops to put a kit together because a sloppy job with bad joins and soldering married to the nicest wood in the world isn't going to be the great guitar you hoped for. It would be a great learning experience of course which is valuable if you want to keep doing stuff like that.

As to kits I believe there are several chaps who can build bodies both here and on Offsetguitars who might take comissions work - generally they seem more competative than Warmoth. One guy 'AndrewdoesHair' on offset has been selling his stuff on ebay I think and it looks like quality work at reasonable prices.

I'd like a kit that had everything done except assembling the pieces and painting the body.

I'd be willing to pay more for an entirely built guitar.

Do you think a Basswood Jazzmaster with 2 humbuckers and simple 1 tone, 1 volume wiring could be commissioned from one of those guys around the $500 mark? I don't care if they use knotted up wood; it has no affect on tone, anyway. Just so long as it's real, solid basswood. Real Fenders cost a few hundred more, but I figure buying direct would save me some cash.

Anything much over $500 and it's cheaper just to go used.

I believe Joey is selling Jazzmaster and Mustang bodies, or will be very shortly. I've never see a 'kit' form short scale. Most of us buy a budget offset or short scale then mod it, it works out way cheaper buying something like a second hand Jagmaster and upgrading it.

I would'nt be so dismissive of the Chinese origin, they have upped their game a lot and now produce quality stuff for brands like Fender, Tokai and Vox to name a few.

Here's one for the UKer's

http://www.brandoniguitars.co.uk/kits.asp

This is what they have to say.....

"We have a small selection of self-assembly kits containing everything required to put together a quality electric guitar or bass. The solid bare alder bodies and maple or rosewood necks are from Japan and kits are available with strap, lead and hard case at an extra £50."

TELECASTER £195

STRATOCASTER £205

PRECISION BASS £190

JAZZ BASS £200

BANJO KITS P.O.A.

Don't think its actually possible to save money by building a kit but it might be fun.

Here's another supplier:
http://www.themusicking.co.uk/build-you ... itar-parts

And thy do a dirt cheap violin bass kit too:

http://www.themusicking.co.uk/build-you ... bass-style

I can't speak for the builder dudes on the forums - best off contcating them and see what they can do but I'm skeptical you'd get this for under $500. Worth asking though.

My mate used Music King a while ago and they fucked him about, he's too lazy to post about it, though.

So, how would I get ahold of Joey?

TieDye wrote:So, how would I get ahold of Joey?

PM him, you'll find his posts in the Projects Forum mostly.

Saw this on ebay, it may interest UKers.

Jagmaster style alder body