Does anyone have experience/suggestions regarding these? About the only contender here in the states seems to be the musickits one: http://www.harpkit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=bouzkit&Category_Code=bouzouki&Product_Count=1
I noticed somewhere on another site that they have laminated spruce tops and bottoms "...for stability"; I know people that can get me solid parts for these, if need be.
Unfortunately, I can't afford anything like a Foley or something like that, and I might be setting up to do some low-volume production woodworking for $$$ anyway (including truing/sharpening all of the tools and coming up with a finishing space and a better band-saw, I'm afraid)-anything for a buck these days--so I thought that I might give it a crack...
I worked in a music shop in my misspent youth, repairing string and brass instruments and whatever electronics came through, and I've built a few solid-body electric guitars, so the basic assembly part should be a breeze; I just want to make sure that I end up with a decent, playable instrument.
Now, learning to play the sumbitch is a different matter...
Thanks in advance, all!
Tom
. Then you spend 3 times as much on the clamps and tools needed to properly assemble, pay for legal fees for the divorce because you significant other can't take the the time you are hiding in the cellar working on this, and won't tolerate the swearing when everything doesn't quite fit....
I like the idea of buying one built by someone who actually has built a couple....and spend my time learning to play the sumbitch. (I haven't heard that since my father died in '74. I thought he invented the term!)
Hey Zip:
I've got the clamps, the tools, the space, and the skills. And the legal fees have long been paid, which is why I'm on the cheap. I understand your point, though; I built a Strat clone several years ago, that works fine (the pickups seem a bit weak in the treble, so I need to look into that). It's got a rosewood fingerboard and a heavier-than-usual neck - I had a friend advising me about that part - which works great for an acoustic guitar basher such as myself, but In hindsight I wish sometimes that I'd just bought a real one.
I'm glad that 'sumbitch' brought back memories. Did the geezer (I mean that in a fond way, of course) ever sing anything about Bridget O'Flynn?
Hi
A friend of mine bought one of these kits and enjoyed the process of putting it together, but the sound when it was finished was disapointing, thin with very little bass, I would think this is due to the laminated rather than solin top and also the shallow rib height, around 60mm.
Good Luck
Mike
Thanks, Mike!
I was a bit concerned about the laminated parts. Since you make fiddles, I've no doubt that you know what I mean. If I may ask a dumb question, what's the 'rib height'?
I'll check out your site.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi
Sory, I am used to talking about violins and tend to use the same terms for other instruments, the ribs are the sides, and on these kits the height is very shallow, at the neck end it is only around 2 inches and at the tailpiece end it is around 3 inches, also the body diameter is huge, the finished instrument looks and feels clumsy.
If the body size were reduced and made deeper maybe the sound would improve but then that defeats the object of the kit. Why not buy a book from Stewmac.com and some good materials from Simeon Chambers(Ebay)and have a go at making one from the plans in the book.
Good Luck
Mike
I'd go along with Mike's opinions - if you have the skills, why short-change yourself with a kit ?
Personally I am rubbish at fretting, so wherever possible I get a pre-fretted fingerboard, but other than that I'll give it a try. My mandola project has an Engelman spruce soundboard - if I dont mess it up it should be fantastic - it's worth sourcing the best materials to get the best results, after all why spend 200 hours or whatever you'll take working on $20 of wood ?
PS Re your strat - why not raise the pickups under the strings, especially the treble side ? Or upgrade the pickups via a judicious ebay purchase ?
Mike - Thanks for the info and the sources, I'll check them out. I haven't dealt with stewmac in years, it should be interesting to see what's new there.
Pete - You're right. I wouldn't even attempt to try fretting, or carving a neck joint, for that matter.
Good luck with the mandola! I hope that it turns out to be a beaut.
Adjusting the pickups doesn't seem to help. I've been keeping an eye out for better ones, but hadn't thought of trying ebay. Someone also suggested that I try slightly heavier strings, since I don't play wailing leads anyway.
Thank you both for the advice. Cheers!
Tom
bouzouki kits
bouzouki kits
Does anyone have experience/suggestions regarding these? About the only contender here in the states seems to be the musickits one:
http://www.harpkit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=bouzkit&Category_Code=bouzouki&Product_Count=1
I noticed somewhere on another site that they have laminated spruce tops and bottoms "...for stability"; I know people that can get me solid parts for these, if need be.
Unfortunately, I can't afford anything like a Foley or something like that, and I might be setting up to do some low-volume production woodworking for $$$ anyway (including truing/sharpening all of the tools and coming up with a finishing space and a better band-saw, I'm afraid)-anything for a buck these days--so I thought that I might give it a crack...
I worked in a music shop in my misspent youth, repairing string and brass instruments and whatever electronics came through, and I've built a few solid-body electric guitars, so the basic assembly part should be a breeze; I just want to make sure that I end up with a decent, playable instrument.
Now, learning to play the sumbitch is a different matter...
Thanks in advance, all!
Tom
# Posted on February 2nd 2009 by tomw
Re: bouzouki kits
. Then you spend 3 times as much on the clamps and tools needed to properly assemble, pay for legal fees for the divorce because you significant other can't take the the time you are hiding in the cellar working on this, and won't tolerate the swearing when everything doesn't quite fit....
I like the idea of buying one built by someone who actually has built a couple....and spend my time learning to play the sumbitch. (I haven't heard that since my father died in '74. I thought he invented the term!)
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by zippydw
Re: bouzouki kits
Hey Zip:
I've got the clamps, the tools, the space, and the skills. And the legal fees have long been paid, which is why I'm on the cheap. I understand your point, though; I built a Strat clone several years ago, that works fine (the pickups seem a bit weak in the treble, so I need to look into that). It's got a rosewood fingerboard and a heavier-than-usual neck - I had a friend advising me about that part - which works great for an acoustic guitar basher such as myself, but In hindsight I wish sometimes that I'd just bought a real one.
I'm glad that 'sumbitch' brought back memories. Did the geezer (I mean that in a fond way, of course) ever sing anything about Bridget O'Flynn?
# Posted on February 3rd 2009 by tomw
Re: bouzouki kits
Hi
A friend of mine bought one of these kits and enjoyed the process of putting it together, but the sound when it was finished was disapointing, thin with very little bass, I would think this is due to the laminated rather than solin top and also the shallow rib height, around 60mm.
Good Luck
Mike
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by Mikea
Re: bouzouki kits
Thanks, Mike!
I was a bit concerned about the laminated parts. Since you make fiddles, I've no doubt that you know what I mean. If I may ask a dumb question, what's the 'rib height'?
I'll check out your site.
Cheers,
Tom
# Posted on February 4th 2009 by tomw
Re: bouzouki kits
Hi
Sory, I am used to talking about violins and tend to use the same terms for other instruments, the ribs are the sides, and on these kits the height is very shallow, at the neck end it is only around 2 inches and at the tailpiece end it is around 3 inches, also the body diameter is huge, the finished instrument looks and feels clumsy.
If the body size were reduced and made deeper maybe the sound would improve but then that defeats the object of the kit. Why not buy a book from Stewmac.com and some good materials from Simeon Chambers(Ebay)and have a go at making one from the plans in the book.
Good Luck
Mike
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by Mikea
Re: bouzouki kits
I'd go along with Mike's opinions - if you have the skills, why short-change yourself with a kit ?
Personally I am rubbish at fretting, so wherever possible I get a pre-fretted fingerboard, but other than that I'll give it a try. My mandola project has an Engelman spruce soundboard - if I dont mess it up it should be fantastic - it's worth sourcing the best materials to get the best results, after all why spend 200 hours or whatever you'll take working on $20 of wood ?
PS Re your strat - why not raise the pickups under the strings, especially the treble side ? Or upgrade the pickups via a judicious ebay purchase ?
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: bouzouki kits
Mike - Thanks for the info and the sources, I'll check them out. I haven't dealt with stewmac in years, it should be interesting to see what's new there.
Pete - You're right. I wouldn't even attempt to try fretting, or carving a neck joint, for that matter.
Good luck with the mandola! I hope that it turns out to be a beaut.
Adjusting the pickups doesn't seem to help. I've been keeping an eye out for better ones, but hadn't thought of trying ebay. Someone also suggested that I try slightly heavier strings, since I don't play wailing leads anyway.
Thank you both for the advice. Cheers!
Tom
# Posted on February 5th 2009 by tomw