Conference napalm::guitar

Martin sells kits for just about every guitar in their product line (but no 
dulcimers).  Sides are pre-bent, neck is shaped and I think the frets may even
be set.  Anyway, if you want to pursue this you should pick up a catalog from 
their Woodworkers Dream shop.  The number is in here somewhere or you can call
information for Nazareth, PA.

Jim

>I am looking for a vendor selling construction kits for guitars and dulcimers.
    
    Both Stewart-MacDonald's and Luthiers Mercantile sell kits for acoustic
    guitars.  The S-M kits seem to have a little more of the work done for
    you.  As I recall the LM kits were mostly materials.
    
    Stewart-MacDonald's charges $354.50 (or $336.75 each if you two or
    more) for a dreadnought guitar with a solid spruce top, mahogany neck,
    and rosewood sides.  
    
>I am also looking for the address and/or phone number of the Dulcimer Shop in
>Manitou Springs, Colorado.  I recall that they offer kits but I do not have
>their brochure any longer.  
    
    A quick look in the phone book shows:
    
    Dulcimer Shop
    740 Manitou Ave.
    Manitou Springs, CO 80829
    (719)685-9655           
    
    Greg

     Anyone ever build one of these kits? Do you have to have a lot
    of expensive tools and/or be a master woodworker to have good results?
    I sent away for the Woodworkers Dream catalog this morning....the
    suspense is killing me....How much is the kit for a Martin D-28?
    Does the kits still allow the use of the name Martin on the finished
    guitar? Do they have the same qualities of the factory built ones
    (tone, action and etc).
    
    chuck

    Martin does NOT include the Martin decale with the kit.  
    
    IMHO...
    
    Tone, action, and etc. are very much a result of the skill with
    which the instrument was assembled, and not strickly a function
    of the raw materials used.
    
    I know someone who is an excellent wood worker who has made three
    guitars (from scratch, though, not from a kit).  He used only
    top flight materials.  They sound OK, but not fantastic.  For
    example, his classical does not sound nearly as good as my
    Hirade, even though it has solid rosewood sides and back, and 
    my Hirade has laminated sides and back (I think).
    
    For an acoustic guitar, I would consider kit assembly to be more as
    a learning aid and a hobby, not as a way to get a top quality
    instrument at a reduced cost.  Investing $300+ in parts, plus
    lacquer, plus tools (you need clamps and something to do the
    routing for the binding), plus a LOT of time for something not
    guaranteed to come out anything close to a good D-28 does not
    seem to be that great of a deal to me.
    
    FWIW, I would be much less hesitant about a solid body electic kit,
    particulary for a Fender-style instrument.
    
    Jim
    
    

     Thanks for the advice. Guess a good move would be to wait longer
    to save up enough money to buy one ready made, and put the time into 
    guitar practice instead. Sounds like it would be fun and educational 
    to build one.....but I don't have enough time to practice (like I want
    to) as it is. 
    
    Chuck (homeowner, husband, father....etc..........guitar picker)