What's up fellas, my name is Connor, and I'm from the United States, but I've gone a long time by the internet alias of Hudson that it's become a second name to me.

I love guitars and own quite a few myself and only have one that I "built" (I use the term built here super loosely since all I did was strap the pickguard in and get the local shop guys to do a setup on the thing, and my paintwork was somewhat questionable at the time, but I was a kid then, live and learn)

I'm very interested in learning to build guitars since I have played them since I was nine and the little intricacies and parts have intrigued me all the while. I'm a bit of a metalhead, though I also listen to lighter and classic rock and the occasional 80's pop tune and I can't get enough of the real thick sound of Humbucker pickups (so much so that all the electrics I own are in HH configuration).

So I have a few questions before I get into this a little more, I would appreciate feedback since it makes making my decision that much easier!:

1. Having no experience with soldering before, is it truly as difficult as I've been lead to believe? I know my younger brother has done that sort of thing in his high school tech classes so I can't imagine it's rocket science. How can I practice before the build?

2. I've looked around on the site for a few days and found a few body types that I really liked (EX, RD, FV, etc.) I've already got a few strat style doublecuts, an LP and an ES-335, but I want to get something unique and different that will really challenge me. Issue is, I'm quite picky on the wood itself since I really want to get a purple stain finish to my next build. I sort of like the flame maple V, but I also feel that accenting grain in an ash or paulownia body RD/EX etc. would look really neat. How much more does the Custom stuff tend to run? And do you recommend any of these in particular?

3. What was your favorite build to do? Very interested in seeing other's jobs so I can get ideas to incorporate in my own!

I hope I get to know some of you guys a little more, and appreciate the time!

Cheers,
HudsonTheHipster