Yes, it does take some investment. It's one of the reasons that I like to try to make something I couldn't just go buy off the shelf. The cost of the kit and finish (by the time you have purchased all the liquid products, the applicators and the abrasives, you have a bit of expense. Then there hand tools and hardware you might want to replace. I shop for deals on hardware and electronics, but like to use quality components...it starts to add up...and that's not counting getting parts you didn't need or that won't fit, and material necessary to correct mistakes ;-)
But when you are done, and this is certainly true in your case, you'll have a truly unique instrument.
