Stew-Mac Tele kit???

Lots of quality Tele kits on eBay for a lot less money.
Building a Tele isn't rocket surgery.

 

This kit is even better and costs less:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=302036588956

 

This kit is probably the same as stewmac but only costs $79.


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=122165027062

 

For me most of the incentive to build up a partscaster is choosing the parts you want.

 

Those Stewmac kits don't look like anything special for the price.

 

I have not purchased this kit.

But have a few points to make, the two less expensive kits listed above have Basswood ($77) and Swamp Ash ($110.) which certainly makes a difference in price. Mahogany is significantly more expensive and is a beautiful wood for a body.

If you have any issue with any component on the Stew Mac kit, they will stand behind it and ship out another part asap. No questions asked. Why is this important? There are so many things that can go wrong with a kit that is mass produced and parts basically thrown into a box.

If there is an issue with routing or the neck, it will be far easier to get the part replaced at Stew Mac.

The other point is that on the Stew Mac page there are reviews of their kits from people who have actually built the kits. To me this would be important.

While you may not have any issues with the less expensive kits, and since this is your first build having a good quality kit to start with could be an advantage.

In building from scratch, there are many "mistakes" and other issues that come up and a part of building is correcting these issues as you go along. And because of Stew Mac's customer service, you could call them if you have a question. That certainly has a value.

I'd read those reviews and then make your decision.

https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_a.../Guitar_Kits/T-Style_Electric_Guitar_Kit.html

 

I guess it depends on how much $$$ the OP wants to spend. He stated his goal was to learn on his first build and to basically cut his teeth. For me, i would go with the swamp ash kit. $109 isnt too bad to learn on. Each to his own.

 

There are plenty of kits out there that have all the parts including pickups.

No Tele building is quite easy- I've built several.
If you buy the Stewmac kit you need to add all the pots, switches, one ( or 2 caps), alll parts electric PLUS the pickups ( stewmac offer better quality types). Their service is great and the neck pocket and neck should fit perfectly. It's up to you and your budget.
When I build a partscaster I usually buy $650 on parts ( plus postage) because I know what parts are good. Yet I don't have to go the Warmoth route-too expensive.
It is your call. If it was my first build, I'd go the stewmac, as their service and products are good/excellent.

 

I recently built a Mosrite style kit from TheFretwire.com that came out quite good. They also have Tele kits that are probably similar to the StewMac kit but less expensive.

Whatever kit you go with, remember you'll need tools, materials and improved parts to get the best out of it.

Nut and fret files should be on your shopping list. It is a given that the nut and frets will need work. Painting and finishing supplies can add up as well.

Stock tuners are usually good enough, better than what you get on a Squier Bullet.

Electronics are one area where they cut cost so plan to spend $30 or so for better pots, caps jack and switch. Pickups often could be better since they're usually on the very cheap side. But, give them a try first, they might surprise you.

 

To the OP. Stewmac is a great place to buy guitar building related stuff. That kit is on sale now for 225 plus shipping costs. If it were me, I'd at least look on ebay for a Fender licensed allparts neck and a decent body to go with it. The rest of the parts ( bridge, wired control plate, pickguard, neck plate, tuners, and pickups) can be had from China for about 50 dollars ( I'm making this number up...It could be more or less) shipped. The neck being the most important component to the instrument is where you should be spending your money. If you get a body from a reputable source then a fender licensed body should fit fine.

This way you can get a vintage style bridge too, which to me is a plus. This way you'll have to do some drilling, sanding, finishing, maybe a roundover, and assembly. You'll end with a Fender shaped peghead too. Down the road any and all of these parts can be swapped out or upgraded too. Oh...and this is an alder body. So for a bit more you get the higher quality and desirable neck, with the traditional body wood that accommodates the vintage bridge.


Just something to think about.

And it will cost less than $290 shipped.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=142824173004


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=113225828868


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=253234413461


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=323451355309





http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=202102324137


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=292317151967


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=392002817244


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=292702185390


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=263838143418


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=302806188467


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=112166613987

 

GFS is a good choice too, build your own kit.

 

The pots, switches, wiring, output jack, etc.. that Stewmac ships out are nice quality.

I put them in my Telecaster and all of them except maybe the pots were a significant upgrade over what Fender had put in my guitar.

If it was me for my first (I've never done one) I'd get the Stewmac one just for the customer service and help they can provide, although it'd be cool if they had an Ash/Alder body kit since Mahogany is expensive and is not a traditional Telecaster body wood anyway. They're quite good and helpful whereas for all I know with Ebay it's "as-is/no-returns/no-refunds/no-exchanges/no-instructions/no-support."

Lots of people with experience saying "It's easy", but for someone without significant wood working experience shaping the headstock alone looks like a tough job.

I'd have to go get a router setup just to do the headstock (I have one of the nicer dremel setups but I doubt it's good enough for this).. pretty sure these kits all come out more expensive than a Squier or MIM and possibly more expensive than a lower end MIA Fender unless you've already got the whole workshop setup.

 

I’d get a really cheap one as a test run, because mistakes are going to happen! You’ll learn a lot for the next build. Sure, in the end you’d spend a little more money, but you’ll end up with a better guitar as well (the second one, that is)! Nothing worse than screwing up expensive, nice parts!
Before I built my first „better“ Les Paul, I built a really cheap LP, and I’m glad I did. The second one turned out great!

 

It's actually not as hard as it looks, it just takes some practice. I'd recommend honing your technique on some scrap wood first, then do the guitar.

For my cigar box guitar builds I shape them using a scroll saw followed by sanding to finish it out.

 

You make a simple design and cut it using a coping saw assuming you don't have a scroll saw or bandsaw. That gets followed by some abrasive paper.

 

I've built all my own guitars from raw wood, neck included, but I've always been curious about the quality of these kits. This one looked pretty decent so I took a chance and ordered it. I have Grand-kids that are always wanting to play mine, so I wouldn't mind them having a go at this one.
I will report back and let you all know my thoughts on this kit.