Train wreck F-20

RBSinTo

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I understand that the kits that Stew-Mac sells literally can't be assembled unless one takes out a second mortgage and purchases a ton of dedicated Luthier's tools. However, there are also some simpler kits that consist of more-completed sub-units which simplifies the process considerably.
We have a DIY guitar store here in Toronto, Solo Music Gear that has a handful of these simplified acoustic kits (dreadnought, classical, parlour, and acoustic bass) as well as a couple of those more complicated Martin D-18 kits that require more tools and skills to assemble, along with a ton of electric guitar, ukelele, and violin kits.
While I do have a lot of woodworking gear as my late Father-in-Law was a Finish Carpenter, I expect I'll need some additional bits which I'll determine before I buy the kit. If it appears that to assemble a $225.00 CDN. guitar requires thousands of dollars of addtional tools, I may not bother. First we'll see, and then we'll know.
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SFIV1967

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I forgot that Martin sold kits.

That StewMac tool set costs as much as the guitar kit, but you still need a router for the binding, lots of clamps, finishing material and and and...many hundreds of dollars...

Ralf
 
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RBSinTo

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I think some posters misunderstand the complexity of the kit I'm considering.
It is a Classical Guitar kit (only because I already own models of the other kits in this series: dreadnought, parlour, acoustic bass, ukelele, violin), and unlike the more complicated kits available, this one has the body already entirely constructed as a three-dimensional sub-unit. It still requires being joined to the neck (which comes with frets attached) the bridge positioned and glued on, frets dressed, the machines installed on the headstock and the guitar stained, sanded and sealed.
A couple of years ago, while doing some very basic Luthiering, I copied a bridge clamp I saw on ebay, and think it will suffice to attach the bridge, so I hope not to be bankrupted to do this project.
RBSinTo
 
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RBSinTo

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Hey!! There's John's mandolin that he wants at a reasonable price!! Some minor assembly required!!
Tom,
Do I detect a bit of sarcasm in your post?
These kits are vastly less complicated than the ones that essentially require starting from scratch, but as an introduction to Luthiering, I think they are great value, while still challenging for the novice and likely very satisfying. And when done, you have an instrument that you can play.
A good deal all around, which is why I'll probably buy and assemble the Classical guitar.
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davismanLV

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Not really, but maybe. The thing is John has a workshop full of cars with two current projects that I know of which are always requiring work and attention. Doubt he'd wanna build the mando before he plays it. But these kits seem nice enough. They're not for me, but I'd rather play my guitars than build one. I just thought he should see that there's a mandolin kit also. Just more FYI than a probable option.
 

RBSinTo

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Not really, but maybe. The thing is John has a workshop full of cars with two current projects that I know of which are always requiring work and attention. Doubt he'd wanna build the mando before he plays it. But these kits seem nice enough. They're not for me, but I'd rather play my guitars than build one. I just thought he should see that there's a mandolin kit also. Just more FYI than a probable option.
Tom,
The kits in the series I'm interested in are not constructed of the highest quality materials, but again as a fun project, they're great introductions to Luthiering at reasonable cost.
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GuildyAsHell

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Well it’s done other than putting a pickguard on. Overall I’m happy with the rebuild. The finish aspect, not as much but that can be fixed. It’s a very fun guitar to play and I can’t wait for Christmas to see my wife open it. She’s been making comments about wanting to learn to play for awhile now, so now she’ll have something to learn on and pass on to the kids when they are older and I won’t have to cringe every time it gets bumped or dinged. Thanks to all of you on here for welcoming a relative Guild newbie and for following this massive thread. It’s been a great experience and now I’m going to be hunting for an F-30 once we get settled into our new house. We’ve had some unfortunate drama involving real estate and this project has been a welcome and much needed distraction from that. 23A5BCEB-CAAB-4D79-9A1C-0B0B6C28DFBA.jpegFD9D6520-94AF-45E8-A152-E1337014B1C6.jpeg4803EAED-1848-43A5-9989-B42BCB9D74AD.jpeg
 

davismanLV

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Hey Guildy, the finish on the back and sides is growing on me. Thanks for allowing us to follow this project and to "contribute" our plethora of opinions as it progressed. We love stuff like this. Educational and enjoyable. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't be happy with a gift like this!! Congrats, great job!! (y)
 

RBSinTo

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I have indeed. It’ll be a miracle if I can keep it under wraps until Christmas though.
Go buy a reeeeeally cheap guitar, smash it up and leave it where your wife can see it. She likely won't know the difference, and then you don't have to worry about her looking for or coming across the the repaired one before you present it to her at Christmas.
RBSinTo
 
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7GuildsandanSG

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Go buy a reeeeeally cheap guitar, smash it up and leave it where your wife can see it. She likely won't know the difference, and then you don't have to worry about her looking for or coming across the the repaired one.
RBSinTo
Or one of those plastic kids guitars at Target!
 

GuildyAsHell

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7GuildsandanSG,
I would guess that Mrs.AsHell isn't an idiot, so I doubt she'd be fooled by a toy guitar. A pawn shop or thrift shop cheapie would be a more prudent prop for misdirection.
RBSinTo
She’s a PhD, so definitely not an idiot. Plus we have been in the middle of a brutal move the whole time this project was happening, so another guitar box, then case, was far easier to conceal.
 
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