These are typical issues with Stew Mac products. I have purchased and built 3 Telecasters. I heavily modified them by turning them in to thin acoustics with fabric cover. There were many flaws that I resolved by covering with cloth and putting an acoustic top on. These kits are very good in the fact that much is thought out for you such as the neck pocket, overall shape, electric circuits and so on. Sure, you have to think things out but look at the time you saved by purchasing the kit. I just milled .120” from the thickness of a neck because to me, they were like baseball bats. I may get the other 2 back and do it to them. You will enjoy the build. To me, the difficult part starts when the finish phase starts. It is difficult to get super slick, mirror like shine on them. So much can go wrong in an instant that you may or may not be able to resolve. I have been building my own guitars for 30 + years and stumbled on these kits. Friends like them, so I built a couple cheap (custom/cheated) guitars. Ha! Good luck with this build and keep us posted!
Thanks MegaGuitarPicker - I'm really doing this to set myself up for getting away from corporate offices and such. Since i enjoy woodworking, and guitars, why not join them! I expect issues, of course. I just didn't expect major issues from a major company. But like you, we live and learn and fix the mistakes! I actually did take a bit off of this neck to make it just a hair thinner! I was afraid of sanding too thin and showing the truss rod, so I kept it minimal! Thanks!!!!
I have a highly secretive project that I'm planning, that I will only use the warmoth parts on. I unfortunately have to work on it, and record it, all in secret until its debut (Christmas Day 2020, I hope)
the ABR bridge needs a block to secure to? how is that gong to work with just the top of the body? not very well at all, those 4 mount points it needs to be SOLID all the way through
all this too save the veneer from chip out using sharp steel by hand to get a counter sink defies logic there are sanding cones that will shamfer the edges before drilling in soft timber reverse the drill's rotation the block is this width to allow installation of the switch supplied you are lucky S M are sending you a NEW Kit I am sure th NEW kit will be the same
Jon Male thanks Jon! I’m new to some techniques and take all suggestions into account. I didn’t know about the cones (except Rotary tool ones that are too small) but have looked into them and will order some. As for the block, I understand clearance for the switch, I compared with an Epiphone Dot and had an even 1/4” spacing on both sides. From the middle of the post holes to the edge of the block. The new kit measures 1/4” on either side too, this one is 1/2 on one side and about an 1/8th on the bad side. The new kit is far superior to this one... and you’re right, I am lucky they sent a replacement.
These are typical issues with Stew Mac products. I have purchased and built 3 Telecasters. I heavily modified them by turning them in to thin acoustics with fabric cover. There were many flaws that I resolved by covering with cloth and putting an acoustic top on. These kits are very good in the fact that much is thought out for you such as the neck pocket, overall shape, electric circuits and so on. Sure, you have to think things out but look at the time you saved by purchasing the kit. I just milled .120” from the thickness of a neck because to me, they were like baseball bats. I may get the other 2 back and do it to them. You will enjoy the build. To me, the difficult part starts when the finish phase starts. It is difficult to get super slick, mirror like shine on them. So much can go wrong in an instant that you may or may not be able to resolve. I have been building my own guitars for 30 + years and stumbled on these kits. Friends like them, so I built a couple cheap (custom/cheated) guitars. Ha! Good luck with this build and keep us posted!
I highly recommend Warmoth on Fender builds
Thanks MegaGuitarPicker - I'm really doing this to set myself up for getting away from corporate offices and such. Since i enjoy woodworking, and guitars, why not join them! I expect issues, of course. I just didn't expect major issues from a major company. But like you, we live and learn and fix the mistakes!
I actually did take a bit off of this neck to make it just a hair thinner! I was afraid of sanding too thin and showing the truss rod, so I kept it minimal!
Thanks!!!!
I have a highly secretive project that I'm planning, that I will only use the warmoth parts on. I unfortunately have to work on it, and record it, all in secret until its debut (Christmas Day 2020, I hope)
Hope you can make a serviceable guitar out of it. Would love to have a 335 style
the ABR bridge needs a block to secure to? how is that gong to work with just the top of the body? not very well at all, those 4 mount points it needs to be SOLID all the way through
Probably easier to make a guitar out of Lego, at least you don't have to sand and modify every part before you can build it.
John wilkes I actually want to build one from LEGO, and Lincoln Logs!
Stewmac is selling the same cheap Asian kit as everyone else but at stewmac price
Thats what it surely seems!
all this too save the veneer from chip out using sharp steel by hand to get a counter sink defies logic
there are sanding cones that will shamfer the edges before drilling in soft timber reverse the drill's rotation
the block is this width to allow installation of the switch supplied you are lucky S M are sending you a NEW Kit
I am sure th NEW kit will be the same
Jon Male thanks Jon! I’m new to some techniques and take all suggestions into account. I didn’t know about the cones (except Rotary tool ones that are too small) but have looked into them and will order some. As for the block, I understand clearance for the switch, I compared with an Epiphone Dot and had an even 1/4” spacing on both sides. From the middle of the post holes to the edge of the block. The new kit measures 1/4” on either side too, this one is 1/2 on one side and about an 1/8th on the bad side. The new kit is far superior to this one... and you’re right, I am lucky they sent a replacement.
@@mattc2674 its a very poor quality kit, to say the least, i wouldn't use it for a firefly
GIGGITY
Won't purchase from them. If the quality is the same as a cheap Chinese guitar, why pay the extra?!?