Self Build electric Kits

[Andrew Fenn]

Has anyone built an electric mandolin from the saga self build kits? I am tempted to have a go at it but would like to hear from others if they have had a go. Also does anyone know where they can be purchased in the uk?
Cheers

[toddjoles]

I built the International Violin version and it sounds great, was fun to build and is very fun to play!

A few things to be aware of:

When the kit arrived, the electronics were extremely corroded so for about $10 I replaced everything.

The body blank needed work, there was a lot of tearout and quite a bit of some strange polyester filler that was very hard compared to the soft basswood, it made leveling a real bear as the basswood sands so easy.

The neck/fingerboard had the dots drilled in the wrong place and had been plugged and redrilled so there were asthetic issues there and be prepared as with any neck to adjust the truss rod and level and polish the frets.

There were no instructions with the kit or on the web site, so you kind of have to make it up as you go along!

You have to drill a hole from the bridge area to the body cavity and ground the bridge to get the electronics to work properly.

Also, after speaking to 2 local electric hot rod shops I didn't shield the cavity. They both claimed that from their experience shielding rarely works in reducing HUM!

That all said, I'd do it again.

As to where to get one, just like here in the US I suspect the only way to get the kit in the UK is to order it from Saga or from International Violin by phone or online. These are not things you will find in your local corner music store.

[sanctuary13]

I've seen these kits around, and while the tele style does nothing for me (cmon, i play mandolin, its NOT a miniature freaking guitar) that huge headstock has potential...has anyone made an 8 string from one of these?