Firstly one of the predrilled holes was several millimetres out of position. Far enough that I don't think even the stock bridge would have worked. As I'd already filled the holes with a high strength moderate flexibility epoxy mix this wasn't a significant issue.

The threaded sockets didn't work for me. Various youtube posts advocate a special jig to make damned sure the things can't go in crooked. I went a good way towards this, installing them with a long bolt so I could monitor the alignment, but they still went in sufficiently cockeyed so there was no way the bridge could be persuaded to fit on the machine screws. so out they had to come. I also didn't like local distortion of the wood as they went in. The veneer somewhat bowed up. If I were to use them again I would countersink several mm so they don't grip the wood until some way under the surface of the guitar. Now I think of it tapering the hole would also be worth considering. I think the threads would grip more cleanly. I'd also buy several spares and practice installing them in scrap wood and make the damn jig. I still think they *ought* to be the solution, but they do need to be carefully considered - perhaps only worth considering if you have experience of their idiosyncrasies.

So, anyway, feeling considerably detuned, I filled the holes with high strength epoxy/fibres again, and decided to have a go with the much longer posts I was given. Nervous about both accuracy and the state of the surface, I elected not to attempt an interference fit, especially as the posts I had have rather rounded blunt splines, and I'd have been much happier to see them sharp. Instead they are a reasonable push fit, and glued in with another epoxy/microfibres mix. Candlewax was deployed to stop the epoxy getting in the threads from the bottom, and the screws were dipped in it as well. Its currently curing with the bridge in place, so I know the bridge will fit. Cross your fingers for me that glue hasn't escaped all my plastic and masking tape, and that this not altogether satisfactory installation will prove to be strong enough.

My current thinking is that were I to do another one it would have to come with the bridge undrilled. I would probably go for a Fender style bridge on a flat surface, suitably shimmed for height, but I also think the string through body and trapeze tailpiece options others have gone for are likely to be equally satisfactory. If I hadn't had the Hipshot bridge available at a discount price that's probably the way I would have gone. A wider neck at the heel so that one had a greater choice of bridges would be no bad thing either.

I strongly encourage Pitbull to modify the kit for through body or trapeze tailpiece. I think more people will get a better result.