Pre-Kiesel cheap chinese builds

[Treadplatedual]

So, before buying a bolt kit, I'm dipping my toes into kit building with some mega-cheap strat-style and j-bass style kits i found online (both sub-$100). I wanted to learn the skills on something that doesn't matter, so I can hone my abilities and really give the Kiesel kits the right effort and attention to detail that they deserve.

I'll keep you posted as I complete each piece - Looks like i'll be doing a full fret job (level, crown, dress), full body finish (thinking tung oil over blue, or something cool like that), full setup and a bunch of stuff I won't have to spend nearly as much time on with the Kiesel kit, but like I said, I wanted to learn to do that before dropping serious cash on a real kit.

Any recommendations on paints if I decide not to go with tung oil over stain/dye?

[Doctor Doug]

It will be hilarious when you get your Kiesel kit.
I stuck mine together and it was easily one of my best built guitars. After all of the work you put into the cheap ones, you'll build the Kiesel and say "Oh, that's all it took?"

[spudmunkey]

The reranch forum is quite commonly referenced as a great place to get all sorts of guitar finishing info and advice.

[Treadplatedual]

It will be hilarious when you get your Kiesel kit.
I stuck mine together and it was easily one of my best built guitars. After all of the work you put into the cheap ones, you'll build the Kiesel and say "Oh, that's all it took?"

heh, that's kinda the idea I just don't want to get spoiled right away.

It's like with whiskey - about the cheapest I'll drink is Johnnie Walker Black Label, because I started out right, but now I turn my nose up at a Jim Beam. I'd like to put the work in first, so I can really appreciate what a good kit is like haha.

[Treadplatedual]

The reranch forum is quite commonly referenced as a great place to get all sorts of guitar finishing info and advice.

Awesome, I'll check it out!

[Treadplatedual]

Here's some in process pictures as well as the finished product:

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[skully13a]

Watch out. I found it easy to get addicted to kits.

[Treadplatedual]

Watch out. I found it easy to get addicted to kits.

I hear you. It's been a nice replacement for some other stuff I let go of, and the kids can help and learn some woodworking along the way.

[Treadplatedual]

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Clearcoat on this one, after hand dyeing the fade.

[Treadplatedual]

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And the jbass