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Hello,

I'm wondering if you all who have experience with guitar kits could provide some feedback. I have built a couple of the Stew Mac ukulele kits, but I have not built a guitar from a kit, only from scratch. So I have a few questions.

First, let me explain what I'm thinking about. This summer I want to test an idea for an after school enrichment program for kids at my sons school. It's a Montessori school but is run as part of the public school system and they are big on after school enrichment programs. I thought it might be fun to take a small group consisting of 3-5 students in the 3rd - 4th grade range and let them build a guitar. Or perhaps each build a guitar. Before I consider doing that during the school year next year, I have two willing participants to test on during this summer break. My son and his friend who are both 8, nearly 9 and heading into the 3rd and 4th grade. I had considered a ukulele build. It's smaller, cheaper for the kits, etc... but the participants are less likely to play the ukulele or know someone who does so they might not be able to enjoy it as much right away. Feedback on that is appreciated, but not the reason for the post.

Some questions:

1) In your experience, or in your educated guess, how much of the work would need to be done in advance in order for kids of this age to be able to complete it? I have no delusions about letting them use power tools or even chisels, but maybe they could handle some light work with a hand saw, deal with clamping and glue up, sanding, pounding in frets, etc... I'm thinking in advance the braces need to be shaped, the sides bent and trimmed to length, the neck shaped. Other than that, I think they could do most of the rest. What are your thoughts?

2) Glue-up - The CA thread got me thinking about kids these days and instant gratification (who am I kidding, I like 1 min dry times as well ). Would an all CA glue-up help with both the timing in order to complete the build and the ability to hand clamp some of the work (braces were mentioned in the other thread). I have a great vision of half a dozen kids with their hands stuck to the table, the floor, their forehead, etc... but I think with a little instruction and a lot of acetone it might work.

3) Suppliers - I know a few of the OLF sponsors offer kits. Anyone with experience with them that can discuss how "pre-serviced" they are?

4) Any other thoughts? Include - "Brad, you are nuts!"

Thanks!
Brad

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Here's our kit manual look for yourself
http://kennethmichaelguitars.com/kitmanual.html
our kits are serviced more than the others and many have been built as "senior projects" but still --- 8 or 9 years old? Way too young --- maybe something like this:

http://www.grizzly.com/outlet/Western-S ... aign=zPage

or an electric kit.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

An electric kit could be an idea.

I will take a look at your kit manual. I wonder if I could do some of the work in advance and get it closer to the kit you linked to. For that one it looks like the box is closed already, which might be the only way they could complete it. Thanks for the feedback!

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There is this one that looks to be similar / the same as your link to Grizzly.

http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Guitar-Kits-N ... uitar+kits

It's called U.S. Guitar Kits and shipped from China. I think they could do this one though. The box is closed, we could pin the fretboard to make it easy to attach. I'll put some thought into it. I'm glad to have "volunteers" to try with first. I'll post pics, it should be a riot.

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I think kids could do a musical instrument... A guitar might be stretching it, though, for that age group. I would not hesitate one bit to start out kids with a cardboard dulcimer kit.

The advantage of a dulcimer is that there is no neck set, the scale is established on the stave, it's a diatonic scale, and the structural rigidity is established by the stave also.

Thanks

I choose #4. They are too young. I'm helping out a 20 year old with some woodworking skills do an acoustic and it has taken a LOT of my time. I don't regret that. What could be fun is if they all participate in one build with you Brad. Still hands on and they get to see the whole process.

I like that. My wife suggested something similar as well. She is a Montessori teacher. I'm a little torn between them getting to see more of the process, or getting it 80% there like the kit above and then letting them kick it over the finish line. Good feedback and I appreciate it!

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You may want to consider a Strumstick type instrument. I made a couple for my boys to bang around a couple of years ago (before they were old enough to help). I feel confident that my 9 year old could, with proper adult supervision and help, complete one if I were to make a "kit" for him to start with.

I made mine with maple from a big box store for the body/neck, hard wood scraps for the back and fret board, and a $5 spruce sound board (actually just used 1/2 for both sound boards), spare fret wire I had around, and the economy tuners that Stewmac sells.

Quick google search can turn up some instructables on how to make one, some free plans, etc.

If not one of these, then perhaps a cigar box guitar.

"I think kids could do a musical instrument... A guitar might be stretching it, though, for that age group. I would not hesitate one bit to start out kids with a cardboard dulcimer kit. "

"You may want to consider a Strumstick type instrument."

I think either of these are good ideas. I did (wooden) dulcimers with my sons' boy scout troop. Many of them actually finished the instruments but because of the time factor cardboard dulcimers would have worked better. I have built strumstick instrument type instruments with lumberyard western red cedar soundboards (pick through the pile for vertical grain) and scrap Formica back and sides (free from cabinets shops that build countertops). The necks where either meranti (Phillipine mahogany) or walnut, but i'm sure other species would work fine.
Both the cardboard dulcimers and the strumsticks could be done in a reasonable time frame and for a low investment in materials. Slotting the fretboards is something you would need to do, but as long as you trust 8 yr. olds with hot melt glue guns they could probably do the rest.
The other nice thing about these instruments is that they are easy to learn to play - the diatonic fretboard and drone strings make it hard to hit a bad note.

Third or fourth grade,,,oh, no, not a chance. Way to dangerous for that age. Think about the insurance too.

Interestingly, the Lee Valley spring catalog features 14 electric guitars all made by teenagers, some as young as 14.
Not too sure if this project would be suitable for 8 & 9 year olds but then I am afraid of children.

http://www.thewhig.com/2016/04/14/stude ... zine-cover

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

Yep, that was gonna be my recommendation as well Lot less pieces and steps to keep track of than a guitar, easier to play when complete, takes up less space so it's easier to keep around over the years. The kids who enjoy it can build guitars a few years from now, and will have a good head start on understanding how instruments are constructed.