Charvel1995

Specifically the JEM or JS one. Anyone had experience with this kit/company/any kit at all?

I'm looking for a new guitar, one with a Floyd, and strat shaped, and I want something with a cool colour, and since this is unfinished, I can finish it myself, which is a bonus in my eyes.

Just asking if the quality is good is all. I'm not expecting a $2k legit JEM quality guitar, but something that I play and say "I built this", something I can use for a wall decoration if I dont like it.

Reason I'm looking at the JEM is the FR (lisenced, but whatever), 24 frets, and I'm a Vai lover. Plus JEMs look sweet.

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eddiehimself

What I would say is that if you've never painted anything before, it's not as easy as you might first think. Not saying you shouldn't get it, but you should accept that you probably won't end up with a factory finish.

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scguitarking927

I'm actually working on a telecaster kit from them right now. Everything shipped in a timely order, and I got everything with no issues. The wood was in good condition and everything was packed and protected well.

I'm enjoying the experience so far. I'm just waiting a couple more days for the dye I used to dry and settle before i start using some clear coat.

It is a process, I've been at mine for a couple weeks, tweaking things and ended up doing a back contour to the body. Just take your time and read up on the process.

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bobafettacheese

I just did an explorer kit with a set neck. It was a great process to learn finishing skills, soldering, setting, etc. It took the better part of two months though. I was really picky about the finish. Now it is not show room quality, but it is pretty amazing for not being professional, of course I could be biased.

Note: I replaced almost all of the hardware and electronics with after market, the items that were supplied would have worked but I wante better.

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Charvel1995

Thanks guys!

I'm not expecting the best of the best, just something I can look back at in ten years and take pride in. It'd be a March break project for me, so I'd have one week of going hard at it, and finishing it later on weekends.

I hav pretty good soldering skills, and the neck is a bolt on, so that saves a bit of hassle.

About the finish, should I go for a poly finish? I want it to show wear if it gets used, but not as bad as Steves EVO

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scguitarking927

I just went a head and purchased the finishing stuff from BYOG just so I wasn't ordering everything from 10 different places. It's called "string instrument lacquer" under finishing supplies. It's a Nitrocellulose lacquer, and from a few pics and vids I've seen on youtube and other sites, it's good quality for an aerosol product.

I got that and the sealer that's recommended to use under it.

But if you want to use poly, that's up to you. Either or gives you a quality finish.

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Charvel1995

I'm thinking about Seafoam Green for the colour, if I do end up getting it After shipping it'll be about $275-ish. I'll start saving my pennies

How were the frets. I've heard they're less than stellar

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scguitarking927

Mine were fine. The only issue was there was still some slight (and I do mean slight) over hang on the edges where the fret was just barely longer than the board. I just taped around the board and just swiped a file once over each of them and it was flush.

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Charvel1995

Doesn't sound too bad, compared to some of the horror stories I've heard.

I think I might get this kit and work on it with my dad as "bonding" time.

Let me know how your build goes!

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TC Electronics Hall of Fame Reverb
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Peavey JSX 100
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bobafettacheese

my frets were alright, however I am going to do a mediocre fret leveling, they are not too bad to scrap the guitar, so I just raised the action a little bit.

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Orange TH30
2x12 (built-loaded with cannabis rex/celestion g12t-75)
Boss Sd-1, TC Electronics Spark, Joe Bonamassa Wah, Joyo Delay

Charvel1995

Thanks!

I talked to Dad about it a few minutes ago, and he thinks it's a great idea for us to do it!

The question is, do I get the JEM, JS, or LP.

I'm gasing for a floyd, and a LP. But the vine inlay is niiiiiice

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scguitarking927

Up to you really, the LP I know for sure is a set neck, so you'll have to glue it and set it properly, will take time to dry, etc. I can't remember for the other two if they're bolt on or set necks. Having a bolt on is going to save you some time if you don't mind it. I sure don't.

If you want the floyd rose I'd go with JEM personally

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Charvel1995

I'm not sure I'd be comfortable doing a set neck as my first build.

I'm going to replace the humbuckers no matter what. So I think I'll go with the JEM. Although, I need a single coil to go with an Ibanez V1 and V2 pickup

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TC Electronics Hall of Fame Reverb
MXR Phase 90
Peavey JSX 100
Randall XL 4x12

bobafettacheese

Honestly when I was a little worried about doing the set neck, but as long as you take your time and realize that it will take time it was not really that bad. I am looking at the JEM and the JS as well, however I am a little skeptical of the trem. Once you get it let me know what you think of it, bad trems make me very angry and frustrated.
I did this project with my dad as well, good bonding experience, also gave him something to work on that he has never done before.

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Gibson Les Paul Standard DC, '90 MIJ RG570, Explorer (build), Seagull S6 Entourage
Orange TH30
2x12 (built-loaded with cannabis rex/celestion g12t-75)
Boss Sd-1, TC Electronics Spark, Joe Bonamassa Wah, Joyo Delay

Charvel1995

I won't be getting it for another few weeks maybe, just gotta save up enough and put the order in.

I will do a review of the kit as a whole, as well as the trem specifcally. Most likely I'll en dup replacing the trem and electronics with a Schaller LFR or OFR, and the Vai DiMarzio set for pups.

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TC Electronics Hall of Fame Reverb
MXR Phase 90
Peavey JSX 100
Randall XL 4x12

scguitarking927

Basically what I'm doing with mine^^^

I'm getting it together, then see what works and what doesn't, gut it and reinstall better parts.

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Charvel1995

That's my overall plan. Maybe the trem won't bu utter shit (ha. ha.), but I can't see the pickups being the greatest quality.

I might just upgrade the tuners to the locking rotomatics listed.

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TC Electronics Hall of Fame Reverb
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Peavey JSX 100
Randall XL 4x12

MG_Sora

I was considering making a LP, but I'm also a little worried about setting the neck. In your experience, how accurate was cavity for the joint, as in size? Did you have to do any adjustments to the angle?

I'm pretty handy with wood, but I'm always a little bit afraid of messing stuff up, seeing how incredibly hard it is to unglue something.

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