First builds: JK-1, MM-1Q

[Spychocyco]

I've been playing guitar for longer than I care to admit, and I've always taken my guitars to someone when they needed repairs, upgrades, etc. I decided a few months ago that I really needed to learn some skills, and I thought building a kit would be just the thing to give me the crash course.

I received these two kits on Friday and was a little nervous about opening them up. I returned the first kit that I ordered (not from PBG) because of some serious flaws (a non-adjustable truss rod being the deal-killer). My first impression of these two kits is that they are of a much better quality than that one. The routs in both bodies are pretty clean, necks are straight and fretwork looks pretty good. I plan to build both with the included parts and then make upgrades to hardware/electronics if I get the feel right and decide they're worth the extra expense when I get through.



Mock build No. 1, the MM1-Q: I ordered this one because I've been a full-fledged member of the cult of Music Man since the first time I held an Axis. I currently own two Axis models, and it was a natural for my first build.

Thoughts from the mock build: The neck pocket on this one seems to be pretty solid, and the alignment seems to be good with the neck in place, which was a relief. The bottom "horn" of the pocket looks a bit fragile, so I'll have to watch that. The neck has only a few high frets, and they're fairly smooth on the sides. It's not an Axis neck by any stretch of the imagination, but I didn't expect that. It is comfortable, though, reminds me of the neck on the OLP Axis copy that I owned before I got a real one. Tuners feel kind of cheap and wobbly, but I expected that, too. There's not a string retainer bar like my Floyded Axis has for the headstock, so that may need to be added.

I'm not too sure about the black binding on the body, but I wanted the quilt top and that was all that was available, so I'll have to work with it. Quilt is nice. It looks like I may have some glue spot issues around the edges near the binding, so I'll have the wire brush handy. Floyd feels loose and flimsy and will definitely need to be upgraded if I go that route. I'm a little worried that the stud holes for the Floyd are a little too big, but we'll see. Pickup rings don't fit well and don't look right to me, so I'll probably go with a direct mount.

Finish plans: Transparent purple stain for the top, likely with a tru-oil finish. With the black binding, I don't want to do the back in black. I really like the look of the PRSes that have a stained top and natural mahogany back. I may try to find a stain to give my basswood more of a mahogany color (suggestions welcome). Oil and wax neck finish.

Potential upgrades: Floyd, tuners, all electronics, DiMarzio Tone Zone bridge/Air Norton neck.



Mock build No. 2, the JK-1: I ordered this one on a whim, really. I saw it shopping for the MM-1. It was a good price, and I was already paying the overseas shipping. As an old metal guy, I have a big pointy-shaped hole in my guitar collection that I've never really filled, so I'm going to try to fill it myself.

Thoughts from the mock build: More concerns with this one. There's a good bit of play in the neck pocket, so I'm going to have to be careful with that to get the neck straight and probably use some shims on the sides. That gives me a little heartburn, as I'm already nervous about drilling the necks on both of these. The neck on this one is also comfortable, but in rougher shape than the MM-1 neck -- lots of uneven frets and sharp edges, so definitely a full fret level and dress needed. I also have some concerns about cutting out the paddle headstock. Don't want to screw it up. Tuners actually feel a little better than the MM-1s, but still not great.

The body is pretty solid. One obvious glue spot along one of the joins that will probably be taken care of in the initial sanding, and is less important since this will be a solid finish. The white pickups will definitely have to go.

Finish plans: Blue/green chameleon rattle can job and finish. Probably a bit ambitious for a first build, but it should be awesome if it works out. If not, I can sand it back and start over. Oil and wax neck finish.

Potential upgrades: All electronics, locking tuners, Duncan Nazgul bridge/Sentient neck.