Premium Quality Kits

[WeirdBits]

I echo most of the comments here.

I guess there are two main types of builders: those who just build a kit as is, and those who treat the kits as a base and upgrade them to what they want. If the upgraders are spending $200 for the kit they may then spend another $200-400 on upgrading to the hardware, pickups and electronics they want. So, the kit's neck and body are just the base and the cheapest part of the build.

If the premium kits offer a major step up in wood and quality (and QC) for the bodies and necks and have equivalent hardware/parts, then prices of $600-800+ become potentially viable. You could get the guitar/bass you want from the kit as is, rather than modifying, fixing, adjusting and upgrading a cheaper kit to get something close to what you want. That said, $800 outright is a lot harder to justify/obfuscate than a $200 kit with gradual upgrades.

Looking forward to seeing the samples.

[JB RETRO]

Echo here too

[FrankenWashie]

It's certainly something to consider. I'd be interested in a premium bare PRS style kit dependant on final price point, if it was available less hardware.

[stuzl873213]

At 800$ you would need to be both competent and keen.Import duties and exchange rates would probably kill off a lot of interest for some countries

[Andy40]

I would have to agree with Weirdy and Wokks, the quality of the wood would be the price point for me. Sourcing a different configuration of pups, pots and stuff is part of the fun

I would definitely try one.

[Simon Barden]

Pots and capacitors are cheap to replace if you want to. I'm sure a kit without pickups would be a viable option but if say on an LP kit it came with the OEM TonePros bridge and tailpiece and Grover standard or locking tuners, CTS pots and orange drop caps, then I'd be happy with those.

As it is, we have no real idea yet what's being offered for the money.

[wazkelly]

By the time I have finished most of my builds they can end up around $600 total outlay and not sure if I could justify the higher price point for negligible better outcome.

As others have said the QC would have to be flawless with higher grade timbers on offer.

At present the finished Tele's on PBG store are almost a better buy than building a kit version, particularly if you are time poor and also not so confident or lacking skills and equipment required to do a decent job.

Maybe 'white label' finished versions via your eBay store could be a way to test their completed stock to gauge levels of interest at a higher price point also within a more crowded market space.

Cheers, Waz

[adam]

We'll get Pizza and Beer and make a day of it

sounds great Ads, keen to see pics of the quality of the timber, the shaping and the hardware. I'd pay that for a premium kit but I will be looking for quality timbers and cutting my own bodies on the CNC. Keen to see how good the necks are too !
When the sample kits arrive let me know Ads and I'll come to the warehouse and check them out and give you my opinion and maybe DB can meet as well

[Simon Barden]

We'll get Pizza and Beer and make a day of it

Look out for cheese spots on the new kits!

[adam]

"I love my new $800 kit, but any advice on removing this?"