To refinish an Epiphone or build a Precision kit

[Barcslay]

Hey guys! Hopefully I'm posting this in the right section...my question is, would it be better/easier for me to refinish an Epiphone flame top or to build a precision LP/other "good" kit? I have Epi's that I love, but I have no experience with precision kits although I hear they're impressive. I'm no stranger to staining and clear coating guitars - I just don't want to get a kit and have to spend too much time fiddling around with neck joints, fits, the fretboard etc. How much time would I end up spending on a precision kit vs. refinishing an Epi? $500 is what I'm looking to spend...but I could spend up to $600 or $700 if I had to in order to get something really killer.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[EagleOnyx]

Hey man, I've refinished an epiphone and let me tell you that stripping the finish on those sucks!

I have a bulldog LP that I built from a Kit and I really like it a lot. I love to play it. I got a B stock but it was fine really. Setting the neck on a guitar that already has the fingerboard attached is a challenge but ultimately it's not that difficult. Fiddling with all the stuff on the guitar to get it right is pretty much the fun part, so really how much effort do you want to put in?

Ultimately it's up to you here. How mechanically inclined are you? There are a lot of things to get wrong if you don't have the proper skillset while doing a kit that you won't have to deal with on a refinish.

 

[ARandall]

Well, Epi's are a Poplar guitar with a very thin veneer of mahogany and maple so they look the part -or at least, the ones that have been stripped down on this forum have been like this

The Precision will be made from the right woods, and be solid with no veneers.

Then you will have the ability to choose the hardware, paint type and colour plus wire it from scratch.

There's a whole world of new/different skills ready to be learned, and a good deal of satisfaction in knowing you have a guitar which is almost a fully custom built item.

 

[Texas Joe]

Depends on what you're trying to accomplish. I would say don't tackle anything too big

 

[Barnaby]

Precision kit all the way - goes together easily from what people say and looks great. You can get the finish you want and a much better instrument at the end.

A refinished Epi is...well...a refinished Epi. It's just a mediocre to average guitar with a new look.

 

[scstrummer]

I don't have an Epi, but I have played a friend's and it wasn't bad. If you don't already have the Epi and would have to purchase, I would put the money into the Precision.

I just finished a Precision LP plain top, 60-ish neck. Great quality woods and machining/finishing. Glue and clamps was all it took. Assembly was that easy. It comes sanded to 320 I think. I did raise the grain and take to 400 before stain and clear. Right now it's my favorite guitar. Based on this one experience, I would definitely recommend Precision and buy again.

OTOH, I've never enjoyed stripping/refinishing; especially if it involves veneer. So an Epi wouldn't be my first choice.

This is all just my opinion of course. My .02, YMMV, free opinions are worth what you pay and all of the other cliches about advice.

Good luck and let us know what you decide

 

[emoney]

+1 on the Precision idea. Why take a already finished guitar and do over. Let the Epiphone be what it is and make your dream come to reality with a blank slate.

 

[fretman_2]

I would think you'd learn more about building guitars from the Precision Kit...that is, if that's what you are after.

 

[Barcslay]

Thanks for all the help guys! Once I get the money, I believe I'm going to order a Precision kit!

Ryan

 

[Ole'Lefty]

Good choice. The kit will give you a solid base for investing time and money.

 

[fretman_2]

+1

good choice. The kit will give you a solid base for investing time and money.