New kit, no experience..

Hey guys, I'm extremely new to this but i'm interested in building my own ES-1G.
I'm wondering if you could help me out with everything that i'm going to need in putting it together, adding the finishing touches, and also how much the rest will cost?
Also, are there any instructional videos for the ES models?
Thanks

[keloooe]

One thing i would say is get support and counseling for the electronics, gavin should link you up with a way to install them all!

[phloggy]

Additional costs all depend on how much stuff you already have and what you want to do. I'm in the middle of my first build, but I've had to buy:
- Paint/Wudtone/finish - $~30
- Sand paper of different grits - $didn't pay attention
- Steel wool - $~7

I also bought some wet-decal paper and sealer for some other details that certainly aren't required. $~35


Things I've used that I had on hand:
- Coping saw*
- Rotary tool*
- Sanding block
- Clamps/Vice
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Various hooks and stuff to let things hang while they dry

*These aren't strictly necessary

If you're doing one of the ES kits you might also need some long handled jiggery-pokery type tools and tubing so you can fiddle around in the cavity.

For tips and stuff, everything's pretty much covered in the videos, even if it's not specific to that type of guitar. Finishing, soldering, joining necks, it's all the same. Also have a look in the build diaries for specific problems others had.

[highace10]

Im in the same boat. Ive probably read every post on the forums so far and picked up a few tricks that people have come across. Will i need all the tricks? Im not sure but im going to have fun trying to figure it all out.

EBay is a good place to start for tooling, especially the more specialised ones for guitar building. StewMac is a great resource as well.

[dingobass]

Quote from phloggy on May 7, 2013, 10:30 If you're doing one of the ES kits you might also need some long handled jiggery-pokery type tools and tubing so you can fiddle around in the cavity .

Bwahahahahahaha!.... You forgot the latex glove and vaseline...... 8O

[Brendan]

From phloggy - have added costs where I have bought some of the kit...

[b]Quote from phloggy
- Sand paper of different grits - $5 from the guys
- Sanding block curved ~ $16.5 + delivery
- Drill bits so far have used 2, 2.5 and 3.5mm bits
- Soldering iron $15-30 (not needed for all kits - check with the guys - will be needed if you want to upgrade
- Solder comes with iron
- *May want to look at a bone nut (all the rage) from ~ $4 + delivery - $30 depending if you want to do it or get DB to.
- Files round / half round / etc.

*These aren't strictly necessary

[dingobass]

A bone nut for $4?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8O

PLEASE tell me where you found pre cut bone nuts for $4!

[Brendan]

Who said pre cut... Figured I'd give it a go from the start. $3.51 for the blank Fender profile from StewMac or have I stuffed up and bought the wrong one (wouldn't put it past me).

[robin]

Quote from Lamusich on May 7, 2013, 10:00
Hey guys, I'm extremely new to this but i'm interested in building my own ES-1G.

Hi Lamusich, welcome to the madness. I was in the same boat as you, but I decided to start with one of the easier kits just to see if I could do it. So I started with the ST-1 kit (Fender Strat). You will learn almost everything you need to know building this kit and it was relatively simple and most rewarding.

Did I enjoy it building my own guitar? Well, I just ordered my 3rd kit, so that must tell you something.

Cheers
rob

[dingobass]

Quote from Brendan on May 9, 2013, 00:02
Who said pre cut... Figured I'd give it a go from the start. $3.51 for the blank Fender profile from StewMac or have I stuffed up and bought the wrong one (wouldn't put it past me).

My bad ....

It is rewarding to cut your own nut. Take your time with it and make sure the slots are not too wide or you will end up with a nut that buzzes.

A neat trick is to get the slots the right width is to use an old set of strings as files.

Hold them the same way as a length of dental floss and file the slot, making sure that you file the slot with a slight downwards angle to the headstock side of the nut.

Be prepared to stuff it up, It took me a few goes before I got the knack :P