Which DIY Telecaster kit SOUNDS BEST? (tele kit shootout pt.2) Guitar Fetish/TomTop/The Fretwire

[@Christopher_Wheeler]

Even with that one chunk missing, I love that burl veneer.

[@Christopher_Wheeler]

And... to be fair the pictures on tomtop show the guitar with missing chunks.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Yeah, they didn’t choose the best one to photo for their stock image 😂 but even that one doesn’t have a huge chunk missing like mine

[@mikecollins8241]

As a carpenter by trade, I'd think fixing the burl would be fairly easy, it isn't like you need an exact match in color... ;)

[@tariqxl]

@@GunsandGuitars It's reliced, it gives it that old worn look which I love for teles, either that or natural varnished wood

[@xyz-sn7kg]

You should do a Headless Guitar kit build!!! 😁

[@Fidozo15]

Well that's gonna be a challenge that Dan is ready to take

[@GunsandGuitars]

Heck yeah let’s do it

[@xyz-sn7kg]

you just made my day❤️😂

[@keegansponholz9260]

@@GunsandGuitars Dan, Bargain Musician had a pretty nifty looking headless kit for about $170. I'm in a constant struggle deciding which guitar I'm going to build next. Already scratch built a Jag, now I want to do either a headless, a Tele, or a Les Paul. Leaning towards the LP at the moment just because I'm on a Tool kick and almost all of my collection is fender.

[@BrokenSpurEDC]

That would be sick bro do it.

[@dingalsbe88]

Hey Dan, I built a tele kit years ago and it didn't turn out well, and I gave it away to a kid to play with.... but after binge watching your channel I have decided to take it on again and ordered from TomTop's eBay, a LP Style #1 kit, it's like a LP Jr style. Your Mosrite video was the one that put me over the edge. Keep up the good work!!

[@jasonjones7461]

I have several great electric guitars including Gibson, fender, Japanese lotus strat, vintage but modded 1958 U.S Harmony stratotone and others. I regularly diy modify and resurrect dead guitars for fun, so I wanted build my own, I got a kit for a double chrome humbucker telecaster for 400$. It was a raw kit but that's what I wanted, sanding, shaping parts for tight fittings, finish, ECT. Anyways...the end result was amazing, its one of the best guitars I've ever played and 3 years later it's still my favorite. It's Ash body and super heavy with minimal routing only and no internal cavities. The intonation is as close to perfect as I've ever seen and the action is as good as it's possible to be on ANY guitar and of course there's no fret buzz. If you are experienced with guitar maintenance and setting up guitars I highly recommend trying a nice raw kit guitar build. Like this dude says tho there's many types of kits with wide range of difficulty levels. Imo if you know what you are doing, what I call a "raw" kit is the best, they are the ones that aren't already fitted at the factory which means no chance that it was done in a shoddy manner, it's ALL on you to do it right and it REALLY pays off. You can end up with quality guitar equiv of $1200+ brand name guitar for 350-400 if you know for sure how to diy. Great video

[@DctrOctogonopus]

The fretwire kit definitely looks like a great kit for a beginner, looking forward to the build up video on it!

[@schlotdoglaser]

Personally, I liked the Guitar Fetish guitar sound. It had more of the Tele sound.

[@oldskoolmagik6825]

Thanks

[@GunsandGuitars]

Wow thank you so much!

[@MrChrisfromky]

Thanks for the coupon code! Saved me 10 bucks off a kit for my left handed son. I appreciate it!

[@seanedwards773]

I watched the octave pedal video just before this one and your goal of becoming a better guitarist for the demos is going well. I really enjoy the channel! I just want more! I would like to see more wiring hacks like the north south coil mod!

[@jeremyedalgo9116]

Almost grabbed that Muslady kit. Ended up buying a standard Tele from the Fretwire using your code, Thanks Dan! Going to throw the EMG Tele pickups in it. Can't wait to see you build these up in your RV shop. Anyway this is my second build, I've got the bug, thanks again, Dan.

[@mhoop1]

I just finished my first Tele build using the kit from Thomann out of Germany. It shipped from Germany (to France then Chicago then to my home) in about a week. It was very well packaged. All of the components worked as expected. The bridge was ~barely~ offline, not enough to mess with the guitar. The string tree holes are a little off imo. The kit uses quick-connectors so no soldering is needed. The tuning peg screws were made out of the softest metal I've ever seen, was a lot of work just to get them sunk in to the correct depth. The pickups are a bit quiet for my taste, but it certainly sounds like a Tele. The kit was only $77, I added it on as an afterthought when I was ordering their LP style SC-400 since the flat shipping rate gave me lots of room for extra things without going overweight.

[@doc221978]

Just a few ideas for you on that tele. For the screws holding the tuners, it's best to drill pilot holes. A lot less of a chance to break them. The string trees can be moved, just have to fill the old holes. A toothpick and some wood glue work great, but it does leave a round spot that may look out of place. The last thing is the bridge, depending on how it's off. If the string spacing is off, a lot of times you can loosen the neck slightly, and wiggle it either way to help with alignment. Not trying to criticize, just hoping to help.

[@thatdiyguyraymondmonk1225]

I love the fact that all were played clean, no effects or pedals. I hate when people show comparisons but alter the sounds With effects and expect us to believe their review..

[@Jesse-Gray]

i would love to see a flying v or explorer kit!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Me too! Let’s do it

[@Crusader1097]

Im 2nd to flying V

[@perkele8341]

YEAH!

[@philter820]

@@GunsandGuitars heck yeah

[@justineidenmiller9250]

im for flying V as well !!!

[@karlkuttup]

my pal as a diy tele caster has got a single humbucker and a old woolwichs single pick up from the late 70s store that sounds amazeing lots of folks have tried buying it off him even though it cost him around £130 uk pounds to make ,has he had the woolworth pick ups from a few old cheap guitars

[@johngermain5146]

I prefer the rich undistorted sound of the gold plated Burl guitar

[@GunsandGuitars]

Agreed, it was much more full and rich compared to the gfs kit. The fretwire was just a different beast entirely, not really tele tone

[@TexanUSMC8089]

If it didn't have a big chunk of vaneer missing.

[@songwriterjj6022]

Milton Burl, or Burl Ives?

[@Waltkat]

I agree with him about the nut. I build furniture, engines, my own audio electronics gear, everything, so when I hear "nut" I think of something round with threads or round and hairy, but I digress... Good review of these three kits, thanks. Been thinking about getting a Les Paul style guitar kit myself.

[@wamgoc3637]

I think that some type of machinable ceramic (there is such a thing) would be good to try.

[@tigmil8116]

I just love this channel. I have seen all of this stuff..well besides the gun stuff. Was pretty stoked to see a Tele. I caught the video before it and waited for this. Saw it yesterday but couldn't get to it till today. Pretty sweet.

[@markcaliber]

Can't wait how will you transform those kits!

[@BrokenSpurEDC]

Awesome playing man. Sounds great. Love your videos. I love building guitar kits and watching your videos gives me great hints and tricks that make my builds even better.

[@hockeytown9647]

Not a fan of any of the pickups. All were harsh and tinny to me. That said I agree with assessment. I think with some delay and some amp settings the last two would be decent. That gfs kit was roooough. You might want to use one of their better kits though. They have different ranges and that one is the bottom. Maybe one of the mid or higher kits would be better.

[@davecarsley8773]

@@Charlee_Murphee Totally rediculous. Amp modeling isn't like it was a few years ago. In 2019, it's become completely indistinguishable from the real thing. Even the world's top producers and engineers (who are all using Axe-FX or Kempers now) admit that. Now was the amp modeler HE chose to use in this video garbage (or dialed in poorly)? Maybe. But you certainly don't need speakers, cabs, tubes, or moving air to get a great tone in 2019.

[@lewisochoa2761]

Solid review! It definitely helped me pull the trigger on buying the thinline. Looking forward to see what you do with it. Cheers!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Awesome! I hope you kit is as good as mine!

[@davidcastle3292]

Hola Dan, I just got the Burl kit. A couple notes for yet viewers...mine did come with assembly instructions.( Basic) . And on the high e side of the neck where the frets are beveled they went a bit deep...other than han that it should be a fun build.

[@elonmush4793]

I think the Thinline is a winner here.

[@ilpatongi]

Anonymous Just for looks alone

[@flix9124]

agreed

[@BirdYoumans]

Guitarfetish: "You only like me for my body."

[@willfowler8540]

Why is this the top comment‽

[@dolphin5808]

@@willfowler8540 because it’s funny

[@willfowler8540]

@@dolphin5808 it was so good even with less likes than the other top comments it is the very top

[@OldGriz708]

In my world customer service is a HUGE consideration so I would go with the fretwire kit. I did like the sound of the TT running through both pickups.

[@forresthouser5807]

Great vid (as always)....Would LOVE to see your final finish job on the burl kit.

[@RubenLopez-oy7lj]

You should do a kit guitar and bass vs expensive guitar and bass shootout. Love the vids keep em coming. I would love also if you could do an instructions guide to building your kit.

[@sixstringsdaddy2477]

My experience with GFS is unfortunately similar to yours. I still like their pickups. I've always wanted a thinline. That Slimline sounds good.

[@pavil58yt]

The Slimline-style should be retro-fitted with single coil pickups and then played against the two other kits. Might be an interesting short video.

[@buglofer]

quick note, if you check out the tomtop link, the first media provided is your video!

[@michaelgrosser1657]

Waydago Dan , good honest review. I agree a Tele is a Tele and Humbuckers are humbuckers not bad just not Tele. And hey Bro, you're noodeling is getting better all the time. Good job, glad to see you again!

[@GunsandGuitars]

I’ve been practicing, thanks for noticing!

[@davidtrevi2914]

I can appreciate a jangly guitar. But you can drive a good warm sound with the humbuckers.

[@johnpfeiffer112]

Dan, so much info, I had to watch twice. You’re inspiring me to do a kit. I just need to find a place I can work in the city.

[@rustyaxelrod]

The FretWire kit wins for me. I don’t play much poppin’ country sounds or surf music. I’m not a fan of the semi-hollow body but I like the humbucker sound, even with the amp set-up clean it had a little bit of hair on the tone. The Tele is an iconic shape and they all looked cool. Nice job on the videos too, new sub 👍

[@draganm7823]

I chose the same two as far as sound goes but the fretwire kit was my 1st choice as the measly $ 13 price difference is definitely worth it especially if you need to involve customer service for any reason.

[@stevenlittlewood4324]

How come the Fretwire was the only one that needed string guides on the head? I know Darell Braun is a big fan of the Music Man style headstock due to the reduced head angle and no string guides needed ... did these other kits not need guides?

[@ConstrutorMusical]

Thanks for your videos, Dan! I love your content.... good vibe, funny, and great guitar-related content! thanks! keep up your good work!

[@aidengage8218]

Can you do a review on the tele style bass kit from the fret wire?

[@Furiora]

Possible options on that thinline; replace that "stubborn" 3-way with a 5 way and I'd say wire it Ibanez style (although I have no idea how to do that to be honest) which is Neck Neck Parallel connected Both Humbucker Both coil split Bridge Also, although I'm not sure if you can do this on a kit; why not try staining the neck and fretboard? I know it can be done on maple boards and, although I'm not really a fan of the feel of a finished maple board, it looks beautiful. Granted the ones I've seen have been figured maple boards, but you'll still see some grain right? To go with the "Ibanez" vibe from the 5-way switch, you could also attempt an angled neck heel to allow better upper fret access... and if we're going to go full Ibanez, why not scallop the last few frets? I'd say sand the back of the neck down to make it faster, but I think you like how the thing feels as it is. My only other suggestion would be to replace the 3 saddle bridge on the Tom-Top kit with a 6 saddle. Aside from "Vintage correct" (which this guitar is anything but with it's burl veneer) there is no reason to have a 3 saddle bridge; 6 saddles are just better.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Cool ideas. These pickups are only two conductor, so no coil splits. But I’ll probably replace them anyway.

[@Furiora]

@@GunsandGuitars Thinking about it; with your "faux flame maple" technique you really COULD make a beautiful stained maple fretboard out of one of these kits. Not sure how the frets would react to the flames though... might need to pull+refret if you plan on doing that. Fret snips are cheap but bending fret wire with them takes a bit of skill...

[@aaronlandry2469]

Crimson guitars is also making guitar kits. Might be worth looking into one of there kits.

[@DIYGene]

I don’t know dude, I like the first one. I think you can make it into a true Telecaster. Feel the force young one.

[@roderickvwenner6807]

I’m definitely gonna try the fretwire trini Lopez kit, but the explorer kit from guitarfetish was amazing

[@edwardevans9128]

Hey dan, could you do a telecaster kit build? Thanks!

[@WoodyPhillips]

Glad it was a tie because I liked them both as well and noticed that it was an apples and oranges comparison. That said, I may buy both! Thanks!!!

[@GunsandGuitars]

You’re welcome!

[@jameslewis2635]

The first 2 kits sounded pretty much the same to me. Only the one with the humbuckers sound any different from the others. That kit would probably look pretty cool if you were to replace the bridge with a bigsby on it. While the burl looks cool, any guitar kit can play host to a vaneer.

[@shakeorefined2514]

Maybe I’m too late for this comment to get read, but I’ve got an idea here: I’d like to see how the best playing kit here stacks up against a cheap $99 Telecaster off Amazon, if you did the same amount of prep work to the fretboards.

[@rafaelsarges2709]

Nice playing Dan!

[@TechyTimM]

2 Questions: 1) If you'd replace the pickups on the fretwire kit (which seemed to have the best alignment and neck), would you go with Phat Cat P90's or what? 2) Would you change the capacitor on the tone pot, go with what's on it, or change the entire pot?

[@guillermoabengoechea5957]

Make a video painting and polishing a guitar not just staining the wood, that would be very cool. Keep the cool videos coming.

[@soundguy5813]

Confused you sat Tom Tom but show malady box is it the same company ?

[@MasterDaveo]

Can’t wait to watch these go from a kit guitars to real instruments great vid Dan exited for these ✌️take care sir

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks dave-o!

[@ryant3600]

Honestly, I think the burl tomtop sounded the best even though I love the last one w/ the humbuckers. I'd probably put in a better switch and some pearly gates or 59's. but that burl sounded great

[@zPoisonAssassin]

Yah apparently they have double neck SG kits... u should check them out.

[@reesemartin8729]

Wow! Those humbuckers sounds really different.

[@RJsCave]

awesome as always Dan!I'm not surprized about the GFS kit. They do sellPaulownia bodies with set necks. no other hardware. Usually painted too but Iget the feeling there'd be flaws in the finish. Keep my GnG fix coming please.

[@lemongorengpeng]

Hello sir, any thoughts on doing a follow up video o the tomtop tele?

[@andy57167]

great review series ...2 things I wish were covered that are crucial to me, how well did the guitars intonate ,and stay in tune , and I wish fretboard ratio was mentioned for each guitar and how it effected bending and fretting out if at all.I know I can go research these things myself .Maybe add these details in future reviews. It seemed like the barrel bridge guitar suffered a tiny bit more intonation issue than the others but that's expected with a more vintage style bridge ..I do have a gfs thinline tele , but it was a finished guitar, not a kit ,I paid around $120 it was in need of nut and bridge setup but the frets were actually well finished and the neck on it was amazing in feel and shape ..the neck alone was worth the price ,it was that good!..it came equipped with 2 of their P-90 style pickups ,,they sounded surprisingly great as well,, tho a little bit more noise than a quality brand name one...but still really good pickups ....over all worth the money with a little bit of simple set up work . thanks for the review ,but give gfs a chance ,,maybe the kits are rough but the finished guitars can make a pretty good player for the price and a good starting point to kitbash

[@niceguyfory0u]

You must have gotten it used for $120. I just checked GFS site and they want $229 for the tele thinline. I hear they have terrible customer service too.

[@StevieGTO4]

You have a video of how you finished the black hollow body in the background? Also just subscribe looking forward to seeing you upgraded all three

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks for the sub! I will have a video about that hollow body in the future. Stay tuned!

[@Zac.J]

Hey man just wondering what shaped neck the thinline is and how thick it is ect. Thinking of buying the kit one day but im not sure if i will like the feel of it. I prefer a medium to thick C shape like older teles.

[@edwhite7475]

the thinline has to be it....im halfway through....it has more bass and character

[@justinpaquette224]

Do you know if the fretwire kits are compatible with fender parts?

[@monstrok]

Really enjoyed the tone samples! That TOMTOP guitar would look stunning with a blue stain over the burled wood.

[@GunsandGuitars]

I was thinking the same thing lol

[@TheSalMaris]

Fretwire all the way. Though I'd experiment with different pups. Burl sounded good, and I am more of s single coil kind of guy, but was more work- like you say, it's a toss up. Thanks for this G&G!

[@GunsandGuitars]

I agree on all points

[@greedytastesgood979]

Does the Burl top come with a Chrome option so you don't have to have the gold hardware

[@liamenglish731]

Great video! Next time you should do left handed kits

[@edwardtahourdin998]

Hay Dan can you try make one of the DIY guitar pedals and see how they work.

[@emptyfiction2963]

What do you finish the fretboard on maple necks with?

[@gritsooooooooo]

Do you have any website for order all guitar parts

[@casychapin4647]

Could you talk about diagnosing problems with wiring say you get a kit thats prewired poorly or someone makes a mistake. I have an old tiesco del ray bass that sounds very odd sometimes and im wondering if some part is worn out or something

[@rmgrorders]

Just bought from Fretwire. Thanks!

[@bluegill5192]

Have you sold any of these kits before? Wondering as these are unbranded.

[@wesleywhite9782]

gonna have to build that thin line and put some filter trons in it

[@joeobrien196]

Instead of fixing the veneer why not fit a guns&guitars logo patch.

[@FiveStringCommando]

Great video, Dan! There are some Fender Wide-Range copies from a US-based seller on eBay. That would be neat for the thinline. Just a thought.

[@timebender_]

please do an explorer or flying V style kit, as I want to get one but can't decide which

[@ziggypuppyproductions7453]

How do the Fretwire single coil TLs compare to the first two companies? I was eyeing that Spalted Tele for me and maybe the regular Tele for my daughter.

[@ejs_cbg]

If I was reselling I'd probably go with number 1. If it was for me to keep I go with number 3.

[@pernormann4869]

Living in Europe I fail to see the link between guns and guitars..?

[@stephanpayne1841]

I was liking the semi?hollow body until the middle position the whole thing turned to mud. For me the thing about my tele clone is the single coil sound. Don't mean a thang if it ain't got the twang.

[@killacoiler1707]

I like the kit quality of the Fretwire, but I would change out the hardware and PU. I would only get it for the neck and body. That is just me, though. I do not have the tools to make all that from scratch. However, I do have the tools and know-how to build a tone monster out of the rest of the kit, starting by tossing the mousey electronics away. I would use Four CTS 500k push-pull volume and tone pots for splitting and phase variations. Throw in a set of Bare Knuckle Rif Raf humbuckers, and a 5-way blade for more tonal combinations. A Graphtec TUSQ "nut-piece" and a set of either Grover or Planet Waves locking tuning machines. Upgrade the bridge to a Wilkinson half-cut, or a surface mount tremolo system. I just wish that Floyd Rose made an FRX setup for Telecasters. By the time I was done, I would have close to 590 dollars in building my ultimate custom Thinline Tele.

[@voiceofreason8594]

I'm curious as to how much the fretwire kit weighs once completed. I rebuilt my first Telecaster about 25 years ago, and finally did one from scratch about 18 years ago. The body weighed 3 1/2 lbs and was neck heavy until I moved the bottom strap button up to compensate. For that reason I've stayed away from the Guitarfetish bodies since many (but not all) weigh under 3 lbs.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

I like the look of a telecaster, but I don't care for the tone of the single coils. I'm trying out a 4 pos switch to see what the series sound is like.

[@74dartman13]

Saying nut piece is fine! Thanks for the video Dan. I've been slowly working on a hollow body Strat build with 2 humbuckers like the Fretwire kit. I'm happy to hear you like the sound! Hoping mine sounds as good! Btw...getting the urge for another kit!👍😎🎸🎶

[@GunsandGuitars]

Sounds like a fun project!

[@74dartman13]

@@GunsandGuitars yep. Tedious though! No plans to follow either. I think another kit will be cool for my next project. Give my brain a break! Lol👍😎🎸🎶

[@etiennelamontagne3973]

Well I love your vids! I would love to see a mockingbird style build !

[@JMK-kb1yq]

I like Guitar Fetish pickups, as they are affordable and sound good; but, I too have had negative experiences with their customer service.

[@ecstasy_panda]

id love to see this style of video with ES 335 style kits

[@MindDezign]

I like the veneer chip .I wouldn't fix it ,Id own it. It is what it is most people drag the body down the druve way to get it worn in , you already got it. All fender strats and tele should come, with factory gold hardware it just adds some pop to every fender I have built/modded.

[@philljrton]

I'm putting together a spalted maple bass guitar kit, what should I do with the neck? I have blue stain and both water and oil based polyurethane. Should I stain the neck blue and coat it with the oil base or leave it natural and coat it in either or?

[@GunsandGuitars]

I’ve tried staining necks, I never am able to get them the exact same color as the body, so I’ve started doing my necks natural. Not sure if that helps you

[@philljrton]

@@GunsandGuitars cool that's fine, do you know what bonds better with alcohol based stain water or oil based polyurethane

[@joshs5135]

I’d love if you would do an explorer kit. As I’m looking at building my own and would love some help choosing a kit

[@feralotter1887]

I'm a sucker for the look of a thinline Tele. Are fretwire and Pitbull guitars part of the same company/are their kits the same? Pitbull's website has tons more variety so I'm wondering if you think they are of the same quality.

[@GunsandGuitars]

They are not the same company, but they get their kits from the same Chinese supplier, so yes they are the same kits

[@joshvail9535]

Can you please do a prs style kit

[@GunsandGuitars]

Heck yeah!

[@joshvail9535]

Awesome man

[@keegansponholz9260]

The only thing I wish TFW offered is a thinline tele in the standard pickup configuration. I really want to build a replica of Mike Einziger's (incubus) tele but they only sell the thinline with humbuckers. Oh well, guess I'm going with the Les Paul.

[@pittuthead]

Dan are you gonna giveaway the GFS tele?

[@alexeykozakevich5643]

What was the soft again?

[@wesleywhite9782]

I'd relic that burl top kit since its already a little beat up

[@dinyaacobmimpijatuh]

i got that burl tele with missing veneer chip. fixed with sawdust wood filler with few drop of wood stain.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Nice

[@davidwright2563]

Stew Mac sells guitar kits, more expensive than these tho. Maybe a review of those? And I know you aren’t a fan of guitarfetish but they sell a split humbucker in the Seth Lover style that would work in that thinline tele.

[@kindaashitpost4290]

I loved the Tom Top one. I can never get into humbuckers on teles, I don't know why

[@GunsandGuitars]

I hear ya. I’m not much of a tele guy, but the Tomtop one definitely sounded the most like a tele

[@theoccupationist4359]

Do any of these come in left handed???

[@TheMusicalMedic]

Tomtop guitar seems to be the most versatile, the Fretwire does what a hot thinline would do but it's not the same as a tele, and I love a good tele.