Hi there, yes I am new

Hi Everyone.
Just got delivered my first DIY guitar kit from Pitbull Guitars. I am very excited about trying to build a half decent guitar. I bought an ST-1 with maple fret board. Pitbull were nearly the only ones that sold the maple fret board strats.

I have never built a guitar and I hope i have enough patience to build it properly. I have watched many videos on how to build them but it seems that most people have a workshop to work in and seem to have alot of tools at their disposal. I have tried to get as many tools as what I think i need and go from there. My first job is to start sanding, sanding and more sanding. If anyone thinks I should start somewhere else, let me know.

I can play guitar, but am only a chord player. Cannot solo or anything like that.

So that's me. Finger's crossed it turns out ok.
Thanks for reading.

Don't rush, and if in doubt about something, stop! Ask on the forum here and someone will know the answers.

Welcome to your new addiction :)

Welcome and enjoy. The ST is a great place to start, and plenty of builds here to learn from. You dont need fancy tool and will get away with some basic ones - good clamps, sanding block, basic screw drivers and small spanners and Alan keys. A drill is handy too.
Have fun

Welcome, the ST is a great thing to build and the standard pups can sound great depending on what you are looking for so don't feel the need to upgrade straight up.

Mine does Shadows & Chris Isaac ( James Wilsey ) really well but doesn't go easily into Rory or Jimi sounds all that well but I built it to be the former and not a hardcore blues / rock machine.

Take your time and as others have said ask questions, the only silly ones are the ones that remain unasked

Welcome to the forum! Succes with your build and hopefully you'll open your build diary :)

Welcome JBees. I've built two guitar kits and a bass kit so far, as long as you have some large clamps, a hand drill, a sanding block and some sandpaper you've got all you need.

What part of Sydney are you in? There are a few regulars scattered around Sydney.

Hi Fret, thanks for the advice. Come from the Inner West of Sydney. Start the sanding today of body and cutting the headstock out.

Thanks, where/what is this open and build diary? I am going to take photo's and video of the build process.

Welcome jbeesl1!,
There is a separate section further down the main page that says "My Build Diary".
Just start a new thread in there, and show off all your photos and ask your questions in there.
If you put the model number in the thread description, it makes it easier for other people to search for that particular model so they can see other builds and what others have done.
Good luck with the build!

Hey Hey! Another Inner Westie! Welcome to the forum, as others have said if you need help, or if you have a question post it up in your diary and the cavalry usually comes a running with good advice, tips, bad jokes and the inevitable thread jacking.
If its something seriously wrong, or if the forum can't solve it for you or point you the right way, then Adam and Dingo Bass can usually sort out a fix.
Above all, enjoy building your Axe!

Welcome Jbees.

The ST-1 is a great build, I still play mine everyday:D

Hi Jbees, welcome to this great forum, there are lots of members who are only too happy to help you out with your kit build, I ordered an STA-1M and managed to build a Gold Strat out of it, was lots of fun, definitely take your time with it because you're more likely to get good results......have fun and enjoy your stay!

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Hi All
I have a quick question. I am finishing the neck with Tru-Oil and I want to know, can I do the fretboard in tru-oil or should I use something else. Also what would be 'something else'. Thanks

Hi Jbees, best use a more natural oil for the fingerboard like lemon or orange oil.

HI Thanks for the reply, Do i have to do anything to the fretboard? Do i cover the frets? Do I use a wax? What orange/lemon oil do you recommend?
I have sanded the neck and put my first coat of tru oil on it.

Hi Jbees, be worth giving the fingerboard a light sand with about 320 grit paper. No need to cover frets. You can use a wax to protect the fingerboard. Most woodworking shops or hardware stores should sell a lemon/orange oil. I got mine from the big Green shed (Bunnings) I can't remember the brand but most of them will do the job fine

Hi are there any tips for screwing on the neck? I have watched the video on Pitbull but are there any extra tips to make sure it is straight. I have finished the body and neck.
The next step i am doing is shielding.
Do I install the pick guard and all the body equipment BEFORE I screw the neck on? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi Jbees, best do a mock build, clamp the neck in place, put the pickguard and bridge in place, install both E tuners and put the low and high E string on. Clamp the neck so its hard up against the bass string side. Move the bridge around to make sure you can get a fairly equal offset of both E strings to the edge of the fingerboard. If you can do that, I then remove the hardware and drill the neck screws in, making sure the neck heel is flush in the pocket and butt up against the edge of the bass side of the pocket. Does that make sense ?
You can drill the bridge in place once you do this process again and the neck will be screwed in place this time.
A more solid neck to body join will give you more sustain and should keep in tune better.

Yes I understand what you are saying. Thanks for the tip. I will follow this.

no worries Jbees, I have built probably over 15 strats so can build one almost blind folded haha