TREV WILKINSON GUITAR KIT - HOW TO

[@johnhowe4079]

Trevor Wilkinson is a Unicorn of sorts, a business man in 2020's that actually stands by his product quality, and demonstrates it, instead of having some gen bubblehead. Thanks Mr. Wilkinson, I'll see ya in Heaven.

[@Edward1312]

He is my hero for what he has done for the guitar world. Making decent quality accessible, guitars and appointments for the masses.

[@BenNoel117]

Mr. Wilkinosn will always be one of my greatest heroes.

[@WithCarePlz]

I mean. You’re kind of overreacting aren’t you? They’re made in India 😂 And they cost as much as an Epiphone and more than a squier. I mean, they’re a good quality kit- but your fn hero? Calm down 😂

[@wonderwalls3565]

your hero?

[@Edward1312]

@@wonderwalls3565 Yeah because he has brought good quality cheap guitars to the masses. Represents everything that Gibson isnt.

[@wonderwalls3565]

@@Edward1312 really? lots of people have brought good quality cheap guitars to the masses.

[@garycox3205]

I have watched a lot of videos on KZbin, but you are the first to really explain everything, thank you.,

[@Lovetone1983]

appreciated watching a sales pitch but with clear integrity.

[@mr8ty8]

I own a vintage V6jmh designed by this great man and I can tell you it's the most remarkable strat I've ever played in 30 years. I've owned US Fender's including custom shop builds. And this one is by far my favourite.

[@robinleebraun7739]

There’s something special about constructing your own guitar, even a kit. Before I built a kit Telecaster, even though I had been playing guitar for half a century, I really knew very little about how guitars were made or even how they worked. I learned so much. Everyone who plays guitar should go through the process of building and especially setting one up at least once. Understanding string height, string gage and tension, neck relief, nut slot depth and action at the first fret, intonation, scale length and troubleshooting problems like tuning stability made me a better musician and allowed me to make instruments from scratch.

[@jogmas12]

His brass barrel compensated saddles are second to none.

[@majorpentatonic2310]

Great tip using two small square pieces of wood glued together as a drill guide. You learn something new every day👍😊

[@TheNobbynoonar]

I own several Gibsons and Fenders. All very nice guitars, and very well put together. Some years back, I acquired a Les Paul copy (Lemon Drop) I was so impressed with the quality/sound and playability, I now own three (I brought a spare and another came up for sale at a bargain price) I will never part with my Lemon Drop-ever! Thank you Mr Wilkinson, thank you very much.

[@carldavies4662]

Masterclass......Iv learned more about neck fitting from this than a hundred other videos....... Trevor is the best...Thank you

[@irondavebennett8635]

Recently I was made aware of Wilkinson products first being a bass bridge that was provided for a custom lefty P deluxe bass build. Brass saddles and excellent quality plating and tooling. Right there and then I made Wilkinson one of my go to top quality parts choices for many of my instrument repairs and upgrades. I am very happy to have found this channel. Cheers and fabulous work and products.

[@ericwright6672]

I have a glarry strat with Wilkinson pickups & it sounds great after I worked on putting the bridge in the right place!

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I owe a lot to Trev. Since 1976 I got obsessed with the how and more important why a guitar was designed . It is along story but as a product specialist for Ibanez in the 80's I had the chance to meet all the guys that were hands on in the 60's at Gibson and Fender and many others. I more than once cornered Trev for advice. One key idea was making my own guitar design that would be a Fender style of guitar but catering to a Gibson player who preferred Gibson scale and girth to the neck from the nut to the heel. and the consensus was 'No Clones' In short it really needed to look like a Fender that never got past the drawing boards. Thanx to Trev who had seen drawings shown to him by Leo himself from '53 I had my body shape. Eventually I went to night school and took industrial design. Over the years I freelanced re-designing guitars for production. I eventually decided I wanted to design and manufacture my own guitars. I found backers in 2017 but by the time our ducks were lined up Covid hit and the 'small batch' hand made company in China got locked down for over a year and half which virtually folded the company and my prototype was temporarily lost. I did finally get it back. I lost my backers etc. and in this current economic environment getting something launched like a new guitar company is not going to happen. I do however have the protoype and the hands on guys that made it said it was the very first guitar designed in one shot as a prototype that did not need any changes to reproduce in quantity. It would take the minimum of steps to assemble There is no needless time consuming hand work. It looks killer, sounds killer and has as perfect balance and holds its tuning even if played rigorously thru a whole gig.

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Very cool. I hope your guitar has its moment until the sun.

[@PhilipHale-nc1ou]

Watching Trevor doing the tele build, having over 50 years of playing experience, I watched it yesterday even though I won’t be building one in the near future because of my body packing up .I went to bed last night and was going through the build in my mind. The big things being the quality of the woodwork and components, and then being a creature of habit I was impressed by the him sharing the detail and tips like the countersinking the dry lube. And the oversized clearance drilling 😅and even the clean brush. Wish I had a chance to see this before I stared some years ago. Young ones should study his methods and think themselves lucky and buy his stuff.

[@mannydecastro8604]

First of all I wish you health. I just watched this and my addiction is acting up. I just want to buy and when I’m ready it’s here🎸🎸❤

[@Crosshatch1212]

Dude if I can do it you can .cuigar box builds aswell .takes nearly a while but I get there in the end .give it a go .

[@ronkunk144]

Trevor, I can tell you're an experienced luthier your left thumb nail is testament you're a hands on guy. The passion is in you. I wish you had left-handed TC kits for my grandson

[@abhishekm3635]

He is great about explaining things . He is the only one who can share his journey about the guitars . Thanks trev. 😊. Hope to see you again for the next meet.

[@Dreams_Of_Lavender]

Seeing you use oversized drill bits to mark where the pilot holes go for the tuners definitely gave me information that I needed for a project I have coming up. I didn't think of getting them centered like that.

[@ryananthony4840]

That's a countersink bit

[@ParaBellum2024]

@@ryananthony4840 No it isn't. Trev explained his technique, using a standard drill bit the same size as the tuner screw holes to lightly mark the centres, before drilling pilot holes for the screws.

[@markegan5949]

I'm lucky enough to own a custom guitar built by Trev when he was living and working here in Australia. PRS-ish looking, full mahogany with a pair of killer humbuckers, it's a candy apple rock machine that I think he originally built for one of the guitarists from The Angels. The quality of the build is sensational and shows why Trev went on to become such a big name in the industry.

[@Dave062YT]

I recently bought a superb Jet 350 Tele that came with the Wilkinson bridge and pick up set with the push pull tone knob to split the coils on the humbucker .Top quality hardware that looks and sounds fantastic and won't hesitate to buy a Wilkinson kit when I build my own tele soon .Great to be able to put a face to the Wilkinson name too and a brilliant guide ,cheers!

[@iangray7410]

Trev and Bruce Egnator have been a constant source of learning and enlightenment.

[@charlesflint9048]

Even though I recently bought a Baja Telecaster, and thought I had that type of guitar sorted, I saw this. I can’t resist making stuff (wristwatches in kits, even model aeroplanes etc.) so this caught my attention. Once my bank balance has recovered from buying a PRS in the January sales I will be looking at one of these.

[@jeffcomeau4680]

Best step by step guide I’ve seen yet. Thank you for a simple, yet, informative and useful guide.

[@donaldswan1587]

Thank you Mr Wilkinson for giving me my favourite guitars

[@stevenfitzsimmons3840]

Calm. Assured. Concise. Making me believe I can…..👍🏻

[@davidturton5907]

One of the most interesting videos I’ve seen in a long time. Thank you. 🎸🎸

[@69jomen]

Well done Trev ......The best video available I have seen explaining (Showing as well as talking us through ) in full detail how to setup and put together a kit guitar for the beginner as well as for somebody thinking about starting a similar project. Sadly there are many others that try to do the same but actually fail dismally.

[@petterandersson7429]

I went to the website, and this model wasn't available yet. 😮😮😮. Standing by.

[@dannythemedic]

thats very nice and all, but what about the finishing????

[@hydeane]

Great stuff Trev, the little tips for drilling are awesome! 🙂

[@craigpimlott204]

Used a vintage brand lemon drop les Paul for years, it plays and sounds as good as the Gibson les Paul I own too,I’ve used the Gibson maybe 6 times since new in 2018, it’s the legendary found under the bed in its case barely played guitar.I just like the neck feel better on the Vintage it’s got good weight and tone all I did was put CTS pots a Gibson 3 way switch and wired it 50’s style that’s it .not to knock Gibson but I did the same on that to get rid of the pcb board switch’s and pots then fitted Wilkinson pickups after the Gibson humbucker pickups didn’t buck the hum .they had ground issues out of the box even though it had all the QC boxes ticked .Trev Wilkinson has brought us some great guitars and parts over the years .❤

[@andrewbutcher3391]

I had a query about a Fret King guitar and was put through to Trevor who was really helpful. I didn’t expect to speak to the man himself. Super guy…

[@peterbaker7963]

No shielding ?

[@timaddison707]

Great kit, and what a career this guy has had. Well done Trev. I still appreciate the after sales service I got from a fret king country squire purchase a few years back. Top rate!

[@TiberiusWallace]

Uncle Trevor is an international treasure.

[@PulauSwan]

Twevor's a tweasure 😅

[@ykdickybill]

What a cracking bloke and a fantastic guitar kit !! Brilliant 🎉

[@CarlEllesmere]

When will these be available on Scan? Currently says end of life

[@rowbags3017]

As much as I've liked the idea of building my own guitar for years, I've shied away from buying a kit because the very cheapest are clearly poor quality, while some better options need more specialist tools than I have access to. I've always rated Trevor Wilkinson's accessories, so I have faith in the quality here, and he seems to have found a great balance between affordability, straightforward construction, with the genuine prospect of ending up with an instrument that you're going to want to keep and use. Checking back on reviews (we seem to be a bit late in the game here in the UK), they're all highly positive. Hmm, this could well be a project for 2023! 😉😎

[@tperki2322]

Always love it when the title has a typo. Really makes you give the vid a lot of cred.

[@mannydecastro8604]

This is so tempting to buy. Is the neck exactly like the “chunky “ ‘50 U shape. If it is , it’s a deal

[@michaelpatterson3194]

"Guranteed to get to you in one piece" .... as Trev takes all the separate pieces out of the box. Yeah, I know what he means....just my strange sense of humour! Actually love Trevor's work.... makes great stuff! A real innovator.

[@bonzey1171]

Cheers Trev, about to get me hands on one of these tele kits, am looking forward to assembling and playing it. Ta mate

[@INeverWanted2010]

Those pilot holes on the neck pickup are a really nice touch. That's one of those problems that you'd have no idea about until it was time to do it. You've really thought of everything here, great job with these kits!

[@vicioannou]

Absolutely best & beautiful kit I’m considering to purchase if I can purchase right price into Australia 🇦🇺 as taxes & freight might be an issue! Only two minor changes for me would be 22 medium/jumbo stainless steel frets & lock in tuners

[@cynthia6389]

The Wilkinson nut on my 89 strat plus is the best nut we very made. His trems are also very very good .

[@DaisyHollowBooks]

I learned a lot watching this, and I’ve been doing my own work for a while.

[@frogdogify]

This is cool seeing the face behind the brand I’ve used for so many years.

[@kennethlinton4432]

This great. I must get one of his LP/single cut kits!

[@JamesJLaRue]

Love the saddles but that bridge plate needs the Gatton notch. Center join is nice on the body.

[@creepyrc794]

Thanks for going back and fixing that nut. It was driving me crazy not being fully seated.

[@timaddison707]

Just got one of these for Xmas, looking forward to the build!

[@andrewreynolds2647]

what about the gap on the rout on the bridge plate ? i thought you said this was a precision cnc cut?? Great video but why the gap ??.

[@peterwilliams8922]

I already have a Tele, but I'm now very tempted to buy one of these. Mainly to see how long a waxed or oiled body would last under normal usage before it gets to look a bit scruffy. The first kit I've ever seen where I don't instantly think 'that needs better pups and tuners' in fact all the hardware is top notch.

[@gaborfarkas9352]

Polymerized gunstock oil is claimed to create pretty longlasting natural finish.

[@expresidentfortune]

brilliant move Trev!

[@kevinmckeown7972]

Looks like a great quality kit and some great tips!

[@eddieconnor8864]

I own 2 of his fantastic guitars 🎸.

[@content-appreciator]

Living legend, (inter)national treasure. Great video.

[@mrbandit007]

I'm an "wanna-be" in this area. Just bought a kit (from one of those you did not mention..) and will add pick up's just for the sake of learning. I haven't seen the complet video yet, but I've already learned a couple of key things. A big thank you for that.

[@emochinchilla]

Thank you very much Trev!

[@timothypotter2137]

I wish I had seen this video 3 years ago when I started building kits and modifying inexpensive guitars. So many of the techniques you demonstrated will help me immensely in my future builds. Thank you for this video and now I need to build one of your kits. Perhaps a 60's Strat Jimi Hendrix style.

[@drzainnas]

Finally meeting the an himself who brought this outstanding top quality brand, it is a privilege and please allow me to say a massive thank you for all the great outs services and top quality parts and for our friends who are just starting their journey in this journey this man who really knows what he is talking about and it is an honour and a privilege to meet him online and watching himself personally demonstrating one of his excellent top quality products of WILKINSON brand. Thank you so much much appreciated and in this special time of the year wishing you a happy Christmas and new year blessed with health and wealth too. 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😃

[@heynewguy1]

Very nice installation video! Thank you!

[@Andreas_Straub]

I saw that the bridge pickup cavity is slightly too large as it extends beyond the border of the bridge, so you can see it, when the bridge is mounted!

[@vicioannou]

Gorgeous kit 👍 I’m in love with the background guitar sound, what pick up’s & set up used please?

[@Graham_Reeves]

I enjoyed watching this and learnt a lot. The body and neck look "unfinished" and so was expecting the wood to be painted or waxed etc? Thanks.

[@joezambrano1149]

Awesome guitar kit

[@billylongley9580]

Nice “ I’ll definitely be checking out this kit .. 😊

[@jeffreyprice773]

Fingerboard radiusTrev. Very impressive & attention to detail. It all fits too. Great video. Do the frets need leveling. Can't see where to buy it on Scan....

[@moGear6253]

im findin the kits on ebay but not the TE52 ???????? is this the only way to buy one i went to your websight and its seems its just hard wair

[@lilianacano5553]

Where do I get this in the States?

[@joeocchipinti1934]

love this guy he is a champ

[@jodycopeland1]

I would love to have one but on fixed income and just can’t afford one but I learned a lot of how to build one

[@dixiefallas7799]

I wouldn’t have minded listening to it Trev. Thanks.🇬🇧

[@FF-so3su]

Thanks Trev, great product, great video, thanks for all your excellent work👍😊

[@AverageHuman7026]

“Guitar like object” - shots fired! 🤣

[@donald-parker]

Great tips. It would be nice to include a little sticker on the back of the pickguard that shows where to drill if you want to suspend the neck PU from the pickguard instead of screwing it into the body. I know this is not "vintage spec" but it is certainly nice to be able to adjust PU height without taking the pickguard off. At the 40:51 mark you can clearly see part of the bridge PU route hole from under the bridge plate. Is this not supposed to be covered by the bridge plate?

[@opidonorman8833]

Great man

[@PanzeShao]

What a great video of those details from a respectful expert. I really wants to start building my first partscaster with good units like this, not a toy-like one. This is exactly what I'm looking for. However I lives Taiwan and can't find Wilkinson Tele DIY kits here. Any suggestion of which site I can order the kit shipped to Taiwan? Thanks in advence.

[@jamesteddy1379]

Thank You, Greatly Appreciated !!!!!

[@martinmohle5177]

Hi, thank you very much for this great video. Is this kit available for left handers?

[@lawrenceashworth7668]

I buy a lot of your hardware and it is top notch!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Very nice video except two thing. When do we paint and when can we hear the end result?

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Great video.

[@ParaBellum2024]

These look fantastic, and just in time for Christmas! I'm surprised to see such a familiar-looking headstock shape. Assuming the individual components are the same quality as the ones available from the serious luthier suppliers, the £370 is much less than you'd pay there. Also, the unfinished body will lend itself to having a belly cut and forearm contour.

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

I have some of your tuners + bridge on a poplar wood t style esquire custom made. So smooth when tuning. Well oiled machine.

[@briangriffin2905]

I think you could buy one of trevs kits & have no worries about assembling one.

[@netmarketingdirect6910]

Very interesting and entertaining too. One question though, would the original guitar have posydrive screws?

[@claudiosuarez1256]

Great idea and great video ! thanks very much for sharing your wisdom and know how , I have a Vintage v6 and an Italia Fiorano , your guitars are a joy , enchanted with Charm and mojo , i hope i can get one of this kits too 🙊 , Thank you very much Sir 🙂👍👍 .

[@RedRose4711]

This is an excellent video. Thank you for that!

[@brentchadwell8101]

In the PDF intructions the neck is lined up with the bridge on. Is it ok to do with the bridge off like the video shows?

[@Sandman.68.]

You are a LEGEND mate , always good quality , no, EXCELLENT quality gear 👌 gota get me a v kit 😁😁

[@PulauSwan]

There wasn't a lot of info re: frets. Size, type , style etc. Do I assume a vintage style fret to match the TE52 vintage era gitar ?

[@erwintur2]

Are these kits available in EU?

[@stephendunnegarcia4030]

Thank you Sir!

[@rogerarmstrong8893]

What profiles of a neck is used on wilkinson guitar kit

[@patmayer7222]

Now,,,,,,this is a model............................wow,,,,,,can't wait to get this very style.............too cool...land o' lakes,wi..usa

[@robjones7725]

Very good clear instruction video with some very good assembly tips. Quality components in the kit too. Are the neck and body pre-finished or do they actually require coating with varnish or paint of choice? If they don't need coating that is a bonus for me as I like natural wood finishes. Thanks for the vid.

[@wonderwalls3565]

Is he the same guy who makes the wilkinson pickups?

[@francescodefendi3201]

Yep

[@francescodefendi3201]

And Wilkinson bridge

[@Sammywhat]

Great video, Trev! Nice to see you going over the product. Will there be any left-handed or thinline versions? Also, is there a vid that allows us to hear the final result? Thanks again!!

[@BinarySecond]

Would love the chance to build my own left handed Tele that won't be trash

[@matthewotremba9230]

I am 60 Kids are soooooo lucky nowadays Having kits like yours And an abundance of GLOs everywhere Killing Gibson as well , pretty koooool

[@davidbaird1898]

Great video. Thanks!

[@shane775]

great video and he makes great parts and guitars .. but that gap under the nut a but much to be filing the slots