Explorer Kit Guitar.....recommendations?

[FrettyMcgee]

Soooo, I've had the hots for a Explorer for a long time, but not enough to try and land a 3k+ Hamer...or even some sort of 80s Harley Gibson.

I'd was thinking about something like this:

http://www.byoguitar.com/Guitars/EXP-Body__BYO-CS-Exp-Body.aspx

http://www.byoguitar.com/Guitars/Exp-Neck__BYO-CS-Exp-Neck.aspx

Or this:

http://buy.precisionguitarkits.com/product/the-x

I'd love Korina, specifically for looks alone, although mahogany would be closer to "me" tone-wise.

I guess my question is, has anyone dealt with either of these companies and if so, how was it? My only concern is how playable the necks are when it comes to fret work, truss rod, or if it might show up at my home twisted like a pretzel.

Also, have I missed a kit company that could produce something decent for $400-$600 range?

Thanks dudes...

[cmatthes]

Unless you're hell bent on building one yourself, for the money, you'd be FAR better off just buying one.

Epiphones, Gibson 76 Reissues, Grecos, Burnys, etc. are all selling for below $1k, and by the time you put together a kit and get it finished, you've probably committed more money than if you had just knocked out a real one. Best of all, the wood won't be crap, and even more importantly, it will actually have some value if you ever want to sell it.

[serial]

I've scored a couple very reasonably priced Explorers in the past year. GREAT guitars too:

1978 Greco

1982 Gibson (the last year they made a decent Explorer)

[FrettyMcgee]

All things being equal, I'd completely agree with you.

But I gotta mention that I'm a lefty. And that reaaallly widdles down the numbers of Explorers out there. In fact, I think the last lefty Gibson Explorer was a studio model...in 1983! I think they might have reissued a Ephiphone....but I have yet to even see one....and I question that whole Epiphone line to begin with, hahah. And on the blue moon times when Gibbys come up, they are really over priced.

I guess what makes the kit tempting is that I've got pickups and hardware sitting around, so the "extras" are already covered. I also have a local "furniture guy" lined up who would do a pro finish at a stupidly low rate.

But you are right, anything other than a brand name, is a money pit. Well...Carvin fits that description too...

[cmatthes]

Ahhhhhh...

[gorch]

In this case you may have to duck in the graben and hunt for the ones that appear from the brushes.

[Steve Haynie]

When I think of a kit guitar my first thought is "bolt-on." Phil Campbell of Motörhead plays a bolt neck Explorer, so it would be cool to make one like his Lâg Guitars signature model from a kit. At the same time, Explorer shaped guitars should be set neck, so heck with that idea.

Keep looking and find yourself a left hand set neck used guitar at a lower price.

[FrettyMcgee]

I've thought about the whole "bolt on" option of Musikraft/Warmoth....but like Steve said....Explorers =/= Bolt On.

I dunno... *scratches beard*.

Thanks, gentlemen.

[jaberwock]

I built a Precision guitar kits Les Paul, a few months ago, overall the guitar turned out great, however a deep crack developed in the body neck tenon pocket a few weeks after gluing; Phil, the owner of the company, said he would stand behind his products, I repaired and refinished the crack, and Phil offered me a discount on my next kit as recompense............ I am not deeply impressed.

Jaberwock