Zebra wood ST and TL kits

[Simon Barden]

Has anyone at PBG simply assembled one to see if they intonate correctly? Because there certainly seem to be issues with a lot (if not all) of the Teles that simply shouldn't be there for customers to remedy. These have pre-drilled holes for the bridges, so hopefully they'll work, but I'd still suggest semi-building one of each (no finish, no electrics, just bridge and neck) just to check that they can be set up without issues. You could always then sell them on as specials.

[adam]

Has anyone at PBG simply assembled one to see if they intonate correctly? Because there certainly seem to be issues with a lot (if not all) of the Teles that simply shouldn't be there for customers to remedy. These have pre-drilled holes for the bridges, so hopefully they'll work, but I'd still suggest semi-building one of each (no finish, no electrics, just bridge and neck) just to check that they can be set up without issues. You could always then sell them on as specials.

What are you saying Simon, "a lot (if not all) TL kits can't be intonated correctly"? This is the first I've head of this and we've sold 1000+ TL kits.
This is a bold negative statement.

[Simon Barden]

What are you saying Simon, "a lot (if not all) TL kits can't be intonated correctly"? This is the first I've head of this and we've sold 1000+ TL kits.
This is a bold negative statement.

You really need to look at the posts on TL kits then. The bridge rout is in the wrong place. This has come up before several times, including the list of improvements that the factories really needed to make that we all put together a year or more ago (maybe longer). People shouldn't have to Dremel or rout out the pickup cavity by 5mm or so so they can move the bridge to the right position.

I don't have a TL kit, all this is from reading builder's posts and queries.

Here are just a few posts, but there are a lot more. And note the regular's comments.

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=9392

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...sition+problem

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...l=1#post128236

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...le+bridge+rout

It really needs to be sorted out as it's very offputting to the casual builder. And it's why I think that PBG needs to do a test assembly at least of any new kits before releasing them for sale, to ensure that they can be assembled and intonated without problems.

I only want to make the kits better for everyone!

[Mr.Drifter]

<a snip>People shouldn't have to Dremel or rout out the pickup cavity by 5mm or so so they can move the bridge to the right position

Sounds almost like the neck pocket is a bit too far outwards perhaps?
Or just bridge position off. Interesting though