Hi and welcome.
The ESB-4 is relatively well balanced but does benefit from being fitted with smaller, lighter tuners than the standard steel kit ones.
the one poor point about the kit is the bridge. 1. It's not a great design to start with 2. The bridge post stud body inserts are too short and the centre block wood too soft. Couple that with the back angle the studs sit at and it's very common for the studs to just pull out.
Have a look at this build diary (I started the bass and JimC took over building it) https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=9851 and this one from Fender3x https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=5339
Some various thoughts on different bridges in those. I also had issues with the neck fit on mine which I solved with some maple veneer.
Otherwise the ESB-4 kits can make a pretty decent instrument, but perhaps aren't the best kit to start with as a first-build (unless you've done it before and/or are happy messing around with wood and fixing a few things).
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Originally Posted by Simon Barden
