Hey everyone... I'm new here.

Hi,

My name is Murray, I'm from Perth, and I've decided to build my first guitar using a PBG LPA-7... because why not? Just wanted to pop into the forum and say hello. I expect I'll have a heap of silly questions going forward, and I hope you'll all be gentle with me ;)

Why build a guitar?
While I've been playing for years, and while I consider my ability only slightly above the "you suck" level, I really do love the instrument: I love playing the guitar, admiring really nice guitars, and really appreciate the instrument when in the right hands. I've performed some basic adjustments on my own guitars, have replaced pickups, and have experience with electronics and soldering... but have always just paid a guitar tech to set up or repair guitars for me. I've finally decided that I want to learn more, and do a bunch or work myself; and I feel assembling my own guitar - and later building one from scratch - will be a an awesome experience.

Why the LPA-7?
You mean aside from it looking like a great guitar? Well, I've always found 7-string guitars baffling: Something about that extra string, as soon as I hold the guitar, makes me completely lose any talent I have. It thoroughly confuses my brain, and that's why I could never part with the sort of dollars that stores typically demanded for good 7-strings (in case I continue to suck). I've wanted to beat this feeling for years, and this is a great opportunity to do so. Until now, I've cheated, and to get my lower tunings, simply filed out the nut on my Ibanez, and used massive string gauges (i.e. 13-70 GHS Boomers) to get the tension. I know, my poor guitar, right?

Now what?
Put both of the above together, and I think I have a pretty cool project ahead. I'll learn more about guitars; more about setup and finishing, and will finally get to own and learn on a 7-string. Adam (from PBG) was a huge help in answering my initial questions, and arranging my tuner upgrade... and now I'm waiting for my kit to arrive. I'm excited to begin.

See you around.

Murray

Welcome Murray.

Welcome! Both good reason to build. And now we all start taking bets on how soon into the build you start talking about the
"next build" ;D

Hi NKX, welcome aboard, I too am in the "you suck" category, but I never let it stop me from enjoying playing.

Never be embarrassed about asking questions. There are no "silly questions", just silly answers.

rob

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Unless you're planning to be a pro, never worry about your playing ability. It's all about enjoying what you do. Even if you only play at a very basic level but you have fun doing it, then you're doing OK.

Good luck building the guitar, start a build diary and ask as many questions as you want.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I'll definitely attempt a build log.

As for the "how long before the next build" question, lets just say that I already have three other kits bookmarked pending the outcome of this build, LOL. You see, I've never even owned an LP style guitar, and therefore no 24.75" scale guitars, nor any ST style guitar... and I'm keen to address all those sooner rather than later. You can never have too many guitars, right? Like bikes, I consider the right number to be be one more than you currently have.

The only terrifying part of this first build, other than also dealing with a set-neck design for the first time, is that I took on a project that will build a 24.75" scale 7-string; and I have a feeling I'm going to need to install fencing wire to tune this down. I have a feeling my usual GHS Boomers will need to be up'd to the thick-core versions, or perhaps some of the meaty Cleartone strings in order to retain the tension; after all, I did run 13-70s for B tuning on my 25.5" Ibanez previously. Then again, that was with younger fingers that liked high string tension, so maybe I'll make this work after all. Oh well, this is sure to be fun.

Welcome NKX

While I've been playing for years, and while I consider my ability only slightly above the "you suck" level, I really do love the instrument: I love playing the guitar, admiring really nice guitars, and really appreciate the instrument when in the right hands. I've performed some basic adjustments on my own guitars, have replaced pickups, and have experience with electronics and soldering... but have always just paid a guitar tech to set up or repair guitars for me. I've finally decided that I want to learn more, and do a bunch or work myself; and I feel assembling my own guitar - and later building one from scratch - will be a an awesome experience.




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You've just summarised my entire 30 year guitar journey! Welcome Aboard!

Welcome NKX!

Welcome to the forum Murray!