First build, blue widow LP quilted

[Denial]

Looking really good and very nicely polished!

Yes, those cheap/free cables are a waste of time. Just for your own enlightenment, it's worth cutting away the outer sheath on the cable and having a look at how little wire makes up the braid shield. You won't be surprised after seeing all the gaps, as to how RF noise manages to get through.

You can make a truss rod cover from pickguard material. I'd look online for some if you don't fancy re-using the pickguard that probably came with the kit. It's just a question of marking up a shape then cutting it out. A coping saw is best for the round edges if you haven't got a table router, though a small straight-edged saw is easier for cutting straight lines. Then file/sand the edges smooth and give them a bevel.

Simon
I did cut open the cable. I found that the shielding wire was wrapped around the core candy cane style. It acted as a good antena and picked up lots of interference. It is certainly a trap for first timers. See picture below