Plugging in a newly built kit for the first time is always exciting! Enjoy the build and tones :)

I just ordered this kit after watching your build video. Absolutely love your channel. I have learned so much. I also bought the Spark amp based on your review. It is a great little amp. I am 70 years old and just taking up guitar. Thanks for everything.

Love the sound. I'm just starting my journey in learning to play at 56. Need a hobby now I'm disabled and retired early. Wish I had enough years left to play like you.

The only thing that bugged me was the natural headstock. I would have sprayed it gloss black... It just looks like it's missing something without it.

This may sound CRAZY but I like the $249 Solo LP kit guitar over the genuine Gibson. Love the warm tone!!

Close enough to an LP sound to justify the purchase. I wish these'd been around when I was starting out!

The neck pickup in the build kit was nice. The bridge was a bit thin. But, for $249, you can buy a set of stunning pickups and still be way ahead of the game. Great video.

If your tailpiece is too high you can lower it down and then overwrap the strings. Same result but less tension to the posts.

You should put a “nosbiG” logo on it and show a picture of it reflected in a mirror.

I love the finish on this guitar. Especially being a kit guitar, I just wish the binding and plastics were black. Almost every Les Paul kit is cream. I understand that's the classic look, but more options would be great. And great video by the way. I love watching your build videos. Keep up the great work.

The electronics are worth upgrading for sure, including the volume and tone pots and caps

Darrell, I really enjoy your kit builds! An idea for the next one is to do it using some upgraded parts, maybe some DiMarzios, set up a coil split, upgrade the pots, maybe upgrade the cap on the tone pot, some locking tuners and put a bone or tusk nut on it. If/when I do one of these kits, I'd plan on doing something similar. I'd also put a T-6 bridge/tail piece on it. I had one on my '71 LPC and it made a world of difference making those fine tuning adjustments, usually without even needing to turn the tuners (at least once the strings are stretched out.) One more thing. Upgrade the jack to a higher quality one. I've not done the math, but possibly it would be cheaper to forego the kit and buy a body and neck. I'd love to see you setup a standard set of pickups to coil splitting. Something I'm curious to see is if small toggles were used instead of the push/pull tone pot, sort of PRS style. Individual control over the halves of the Humbuckers is something I'd like to see. I think Ibanez may offer something similar. So if you're looking for ideas...

Great build, I wish you would have shown you wiring and soldering work. I know it may be boring for some but it is very useful to others.

The tiny screws that hold the tuners and truss rod cover are always easy to strip or break, so I like to wax them before installing. I hold them by the head and use a lighter to heat them a couple of seconds before touching the threads to a bit of paraffin wax. Makes life easier.

Turned out sweet ! I like the 'father - son' bit. The late Tom Wheeler documented the build of a Carvin S type kit for GP that he did with his son nearly 20 years ago. The progress spanned 3 or 4 issues and one could tell Tom loved the experience.

Ive learned that frets, nut and pickup magnets are a few of the most important things for a good quality guitar.

A black finish on the face of the headstock would look sick!

Tip: loosen and retighten neck screws while strings are still on, it helps set the neck better.

I didn't know solo had kids with finished bodies. It looks pretty good. The neck pickup is surprisingly good sounding but the bridge would have to go because it sounds very brash. With a roller saddle and better bridge pickup I think it would be really decent. I like the fact also that the neck bolts on and not glues in. That's my preference I know other people will prefer the opposite. My preference is is that if anything goes wrong with the neck or I don't like it I can always change it if it's not glued in.

So wonderful indeed! Can never go wrong with a Les Paul I believe!

That clean tone is outrageously great! I may have to take a shot at building the Jazzmaster...

Love this! I'm working on a PRS style kit from Solo and I'm very pleased with it so far! This would be a great kit for anyone who may be intimidated by finishing a body.

I like the shape of the body where it meets the neck by the toggle switch, and then flows in a smooth “s” curve to the cutaway, then around the horn. IMO it’s a more elegant design than the original LP. Fun project!

From Leo: The pre finished body is really nice. I no longer have access to a spray booth so I think prefinished is the new plan. I liked your Last Tele build better, but that single cut is pretty good too.

You have to put the strings FROM the "Saddle side" through the tailpiece, and turning over towards the saddles again, this way, eliminates the angle and the need of higher tailpiece.

One option for the tailpiece is to have the strings wrap around. Gives you the narrow breakover angle but you can (need to) lower the tailpiece down lower. SO, low breakover angle AND less torque on the tailpiece studs.

A little bit of wax on the tips of the screws will ease insertion and help prevent stress cracks.

I wrap my strings over the top of the tail peice to keep the break angle in check.

Nice guitar, you could try to bring the tail piece all the way down to the body and do a wrap over if you have room, you may not, don’t know, has worked for me on several occasions. They say it enhances sustain, I can’t tell the difference but that takes care of post ‘lean’.

Great video! I would enjoy seeing a video on the SBK-10 kit from Solo Music Gear. With how expensive Strandbergs are and how uncommon that style is, I'm interested in seeing how good a strandberg-style kit guitar is. Just a suggestion. Keep up the good work!

I didn't have much basis for comparison until you played the kit clean at the end.

All I wanted to see was the soldering...and it is all he skipped, lol. 🤦

i might purchase one of these kits and just put in the pickups i want instead, can’t go wrong with that

Thanks DB for taking us along on the journey. Great build. Peace!

Very impressed by this kit. The sounds were very good especially when not driven to extremes. At modest settings I couldn't help but notice how close to the Les Paul the kit sounded. I hated the hole covers and pit guard. These are easily replaced, and I would probably leave off the pit guard anyways

Can you please make a video on how to upgrade a squier tele?

The early Asian Gibson copies came with bolt on necks. My first LP kit I assembled years ago came with a glue-in-neck. That was kinda big fun getting it in straight as the neck pocket wasn't routed precisely!

Can you do a review of a Slick guitar please? I kinda like the looks of SLICK 59 and SLICK 60.

One of the nicest kits I have seen lately! Wish list.....

I am very impressed with the kit guitar; both looks and sound ! ...And price !!!

Hey Darrell, I don't know how difficult they'd be to get up in the northern hemisphere, but down here in Australia we have Haze guitar kits, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on 'em.

I tried an lp jr kit from StewMac, it was fun, but with a few things: first time soldering, so I messed up the pots. I bought new CTS pots, but a guy said I messed up the pots by my soldering (the heat hurts the insides a little??). The neck was my biggest objection. It had a real slim 60's neck, and my hands are way to big for it. I would like to have a neck made by Warmouth or something with either standard or a bit wider neck at the nut. I bought some locking Kluson tuners for about $60 on sale at SM. I also got a dogear cover for the p90 pickup, and a different pickguard. I had to do the finish and everything. It was a lot of fun, and a bit frustrating, but worth it. Anyone buying a kit should really ask about the neck, though, nut measurements, etc. Thanks for sharing the video. I used to work in a machine shop, so doing this stuff is fun for me.

I’m still a new subscriber to the channel and I just wanna say I love these videos sooo much! I started learning guitar again but really wanna build my own and watching you go through them you make it look simple. Including the little extra stuff you do to them. Hopefully I can pick one of these kits up one day! Cant wait for the next build!

Looks really nice! I like the satin neck, too. Thanks for the comparison! I’m sure there are huge differences in quality and materials, but more and more, I’m trying to wrap my head around the justification for cost differences.

I really enjoy the informative channels like this one. You made it look easy, seeing yours comes with a 2 guitar difficulty. Last August (2022), I ordered a Solo SRBK-15 DIY 5 String Electric Bass for $219.00. It looks like an Ibanez product even down to the EB7 styled bridge. Mine took about three weeks to body and neck sand and finish. I had a few minor issues as I have detailed in the comment section on that guitar. Finished and it sounds like my 29 year old Epiphone Rock Bass but with a B string (3 guitar difficulty). You could be a spokesperson for Solo. I use "Texsoft" on the Solo comments.

Bolt-on Les Paul is great.

Good video, Darrel! Regarding tuning and string tension, instead of raising the tailpiece and raising tension on the the studs, I have found it easier to just upgrade to a roller bridge. This also helps when string bending by not having a sharp edge on the bridge that could cause a string to snap. The roller bridge eliminates this problem. Thanks, again, for a great video, and yes, it is fun to build your own! I'm on my 6th (spalted LP) with a 7th (Strat) in the wings! :-)

I bought a stewmac LP KIT with a glue in neck. The neck fit perfect, and the cheap pickups were actually pretty nice for bedroom use. Everything fit perfect, it was my first Time soldering and I did it first try. With the finishing, I spent about $350 on the Guitar. I’m happy with my purchase although if money is why you want to build one, your better off buying an Epiphone.

This series inspired me to buy a V kit, always wanted a black one but never wanted to drop the $ :)

I am buying one of these kits for my 12 yo son for Christmas. We have looked at them several times and he always talks about building the double necked SG. I would be very interested to see one of those put together.

These kits are a pretty good deal. For a few hundred bucks you get a good looking and decent sounding guitar plus the fun of building it. This one sounds excellent in the clean mode.

I preferred the tone of the kit guitar, and I say that as an owner of a Gibson Les Paul Studio. I definitely see the appeal of a kit guitar even for one with mostly traditional specs because you still get other more practical features like a more sensible headstock design and longer scale length.

Thank you for the link to Solo guitars. I've been wanting to find a good DIY store for awhile and they look like a good place to go.

Great video! I would like to see you check out a LTD EC-1000 in the future.

Thanks. You make this sort of thing seem possible. I'm surprised the neck isn't glued to the body. I wish you would have shown pickup and truss rod adjustment.

Absolutely loved these 2 videos!!! I thought the guitar had a great sound and looked fantastic!!! Well done!

Leave it to Darrell to bring us a good value product with high quality. This is a very nice kit! The guitar definately doesn't have the look that's it's from a kit. Thanks Darrell!

Could lower the tailpiece and then do the wraparound method of stringing it up. But I’m not personally the biggest fan of how that looks, but does help with the break angle issue.

Just finished my PRK-15 Solo "PRS" guitar, upgraded with Fleor humbuckers

I like the warmer tone.

If it was mine. I would have trimmed the top of the headstock to give a more book end look like Gibson. Sand it down and painted the front and edges of head in gloss black. Just me. But still looks like an awesome kit. Good review!! Thanks!

Good work, DB. Not my favorite build that you’ve done, but I enjoyed watching you build it.

I would love to see you build either the warlock style kit, or the seven string jem

Looks are nice, but playability it the key to enjoyable music. Great review. Solo should be proud.

Nice one Darrell! I'd love to see more sg guitars on the channel!

I think it would be wise to secure the tailpiece posts to prevent any movement. Also countersinking the bridge would be a useful mod for those of us with router skills.

Great segment. Just ordered LP kit from Stew mac and looking forward to the build. Thank you.

I put together the Solo Jazz Bass kit a month ago, it sounds fabulous!

Nice job Darrell, and there ain't a damn thing wrong with those pickups!😁 If I was still playing on a regular basis, I'd grab one of these kits in a hot minute. The component quality looks really good for the most part, although that neck should fit a little tighter in the pocket. I think I would have gone the extra mile and put some insulating tape in the electronics and pickup cavities to keep the noise down at higher volumes. As hot as those humbuckers are, I'm pretty sure they'll be feedback monsters at higher levels.😉 Pretty nice overall.. I checked out Solo's site, and they've got some really nice looking kits available, and above all, *affordable,* if you're willing to spend a little time and effort doing it right!😎👍

They both sound great on my I pod and I’m certain the kit is more in my budget. And half the fun would be in making it yourself.

...and this was “as is”! I’m sure some time spent leveling and dressing the frets, filing the nut slots to correct depth and making proper adjustments to the saddle height, intonation and truss rod would make it play as well as the guitar it imitates. Of course, a Gibson will be made with superior materials and hardware, but if this kit gets all the setup done well, it should play as well.

take a piece of guitar string (or whatever is handy) and insert in the screw holes and see if the depth matches the appropriate screw. If they're way off then you can drill the holes a tad deeper. Just mark the depth on the drill bit with some tape so you don't over do it. A bit of wax (paraffin, bee, unscented etc) rubbed on the screw threads helps a lot.

I bought a second LP kit from Solo guitar. I completely messed up the first one as I've never worked with wood before so had no clue about finishes etc and of course I go with the most complicated finish (Crystalac britetone) one could do for their first kit. I know a bit more now so I'm going to give it another go.

I hadn´t expected such a tonal difference between the two. and that the gibson with the glued in neck sounded clearer. but the kit guitar sounded good too. great video. thank you. greetings from germany.

Nice job, a little bit of candle wax on the screws on the neck helps avoid breaking screws...

Hi . I'd like to see you build an Explorer , the ones you get on Amazon , as I'm thinking of doing one myself . Would be great to see one built and your view on it . Hope you're safe and well . Andy :-)

This is awesome!!! Obviously the real thing sounds quite a bit better. Clearer, less muddy etc. However the kit sounds great and you get to build it! I’m going to grab one of these and give it a shot!

The "real" LP is a bit brighter in tone, but the differences are slight. They both look good, and I like the "no pick guard, no headstock logo, no frills" look. I don't know what the monetary savings might be, but building it yourself is usually a fun and worthwhile experience in other areas, why not guitars?

Another way to keep shallow break angle on the bridge is load the strings through the other side and wrap over the top of the tail piece. I've seen a few guitar players like Joe Bonamassa do it.

I know this is a silly question. But would you consider doing a full tutorial. Showing/explaining soldering as well? Like if someone wanted to get into this as a hobbie or for fun. But had no knowledge about some of the lesser known things. Thanks for the great videos man

Geez.... I’m in love with your blue Les Paul !! You should compare it to your Ultimate Epiphone, a vs video.

For that price I suspect it's a full mahogany body and mahogany top with flame Maple vernier. That's what's giving the warmer mellow sound.

This kit guitars seems like it’s a pretty good build and a pretty good value. It certainty sounds great! I like it. I might have to order one my own.

I love watching your vids Daryl.

No way, the kit is awful, but never reaches a Gibson or so. Glue the stop and bridge in! Got a Michael Kelly patriot amber, new for 300 Bugs, set neck, split coils, selected out of ten more, with Grovers and it's sounds more near by the original! A real beast! Even with a fine amber mirrored maple blanket over a mahagoni body! Love it!

Beautifully built

Looks like the pickup alignment is off, best to install the pickups last, place the pickups into the body then install the E strings. After this you can make sure the pickups are perfectly aligned with the strings before screwing them down. Overall this is a pretty nice kit, with a bit of effort you could end up with a pretty good guitar for the money. Plus, for a beginner, you learn a lot about setup how to adjust the action and tone to end up with something that is nice to play, something a lot of cheap ready built lack.

It sounded good, but my god the Les Paul standard sounded incredible!

Iv a les Paul copy same colour, upgraded emg 50 51 and black covers + bigsby. Sounds and looks cool for around £500

I use a little glue on the neck and screws. It does a better job keeping the neck stable. If it has a gap ill shim it. And i would stain the neck to match the back. The tail piece studs aren't long enough to accommodate the height of the tail piece. That's why it's pulling forward. But you know all that. Nice guitar. Love the color.

Sounds excellent. Lower gain pickups never bothered me. My effects processor has input and output gain knobs on it. Makes it easy to equalize input level between different guitars. I recently bought a cheaper SX LP style guitar that is the only model they make with a bolt-on neck. (The Callisto LTD.) Contrary to what people think, it makes absolutely no difference in the tone and sustain. As long as the woods are good quality, it just doesn't matter whether the neck is bolt-on or set. The bolt-on neck provides noticeably better access to the upper frets on a LP style guitar. This kit looks even better, with the contour on the neck pocket. Might have to get one.

Hi ..Nice video..your the first guy Ive seen tell about raising the tailpiece..Ive been doing it for yrs..makes the guitar play much easier and better sustain..imo..to me screwing it down or overwrap the strings makes the guitar play very tight..just what i have learned to like ..i do it on all my T.O.M. bridges Thanks DH

That actually looks like a high end guitar. With (for example) some gotoh, graphtech and dimarzios it would actually be one.

If you run your screw threads in candle wax or even a bar of soap, the screws will be easier to screw in. Plus less chance of them snapping off. Also the tail piece studs in the 1st video. Maybe try putting just a dab of wood glue in each hole.

I thought it was De -Cal, with a long E and a short A. You were right on reverb, but i'm not so sure about this, lol.

The kit would sound better with some pickups and full size pots. The Les Paul had better note definition with a little dirt. Thank you for sharing your build. Stay safe and Be Blessed

its insane that there's not a huge sound difference for 1/10th the price of a Gibson..& half the price of an Epi...weight?

All the screw holes on my Glarry kit (Strat) were out of register. Had to fill them all and start over. The rest of the kit was of very high quality for the $75 price point.

To avoid brake angle, insert strings from behind and wrap around tail piece. That avoids lifting it

I knew you were going to have problems with the posts. The bushings went in too easy. Need a tighter fit. Easy fix. Nice guitar and sounded great.