Building a Bolt Guitar - now BUILT

TTony

Firstly, correct, you're correct, this isn't the "Building Guitars" section of the forum.

But I thought it might be more relevant and of more interest to the people who typically look in this section, rather than those beardy old members in boiler suits who spend their time in sawdust covered sheds, making and modding their own guitars (they're all confined to the Making and Modding section).



Secondly, what's a "Bolt Guitar"?

If that's your question, I'm guessing that you've not noticed this thread;
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/246791/any-guitar-kit-builders-out-there/p1
Or been here;
https://boltguitars.co.uk/
^^^ Take a look ....
 

And finally, why am I building one?

It's not, most definitely not because I want or need another guitar.

But if there had been a decent build-a-kit option back in time before I started building my own, I might just have got into building my own a bit earlier.  If Bolt Guitars' kits are as good as the pics on the website suggests, perhaps these kits will encourage a few more people to start building. 

There's one way to find out ...

The guys at Bolt have sent me a kit (FoC).

I've not opened it yet.  I plan to do a video unboxing over the weekend so you can all see what I see and as I see it (Mr Bolt Guitars is now hoping that he put everything into the box ).  Then stay tuned for updates on this thread over the next week or two.  I'm not going to rush it, but I will keep a note of how much time I spend working on it, and what tools I use, so you'll get a good idea of how simple (or not!) the process is.  I'm also signed up for the Bolt on-line guidance / help, so will be able to comment on that too.

Once built, I'm not going to keep it.  With agreement from Mr @digitalscream and Mr @BoltGuitarsUK we're going to do a good-old-days-forum-raffle for someone on the forum to win the finished guitar, with all proceeds to forum funds.



For anyone looking for the discount code, >>> CLICK HERE <<<

mikeyrob73

Brilliant looking forward to this 

duotone

Looks interesting & is the first time I’ve heard of them. I like the step-by-step video concept.

Good luck with the build!

Alex2678

I had seen something about them but had wondered if they were something to do with the notorious Boult guitars having forgotten the spelling, but having had a look at their website they’re clearly in a totally different game quality wise (and by the looks of it professionalism-wise), they look great

TTony

It's unboxed.

Video to follow in a little while, but initial impressions are very positive.

Offset

Love this sort of thread.  Somewhat excited :-)

stickyfiddle

Nice! Looking forward to seeing this progress

DiscoStu

Just looked them up and they look so much better than the majority of kits out there. Looking forward to seeing how this goes

TTony

As well as the everything-you-need-in-the-box kit, the guys at Bolt Guitars have also put together a series of video tutorials to guide you through the finishing and assembly process.  You get access to the tutorials when you buy the kit.

I've just watched through those quickly - and they are really good.

They look to be professionally filmed, Sam (if that's who it is!) is a natural in front of the camera, and demonstrates very clearly what you need to do, step by step, with camera angles that show what's going on.  There's clearly been a lot of thought, preparation and effort gone into the videos.

I'm getting a definite *quality* feel to the whole set-up.

TTony

Opening the box ....

paulnb57

Looks like a decent well thought out website and the current on offer price isnt too bad considering everything is there and appears decent quality, watching with interest

Pabcrane

I am too following with interest. I hope that the company does well and are then able to offer a few more styles

freakboy1610

Nice one Tony. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

DLM

ur doin it wrong

https://scontent-muc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.18169-9/10930029_886038051416915_3644343379288294263_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=973b4a&_nc_ohc=7BoJw5QC3DQAX-KXYfN&_nc_ht=scontent-muc2-1.xx&oh=00_AfAQfriwQ5x7F0MeSK4IIG8unDSOQvrOE5-mhg8YTEg2gw&oe=64909605

nero1701

Hope you build guitars better than you open boxes

TTony

nero1701 said:

Hope you build guitars better than you open boxes

I need more opening-boxes practice

Kittyfrisk

Unboxing videos?
Would be TFB social media influencer unpacks shiny new toys...

Chris.B

Looks like a very well presented kit. Enjoyed your unboxing video and looking forward to following the build. 

SteveF

TTony said:

As well as the everything-you-need-in-the-box kit, the guys at Bolt Guitars have also put together a series of video tutorials to guide you through the finishing and assembly process.  You get access to the tutorials when you buy the kit.

I've just watched through those quickly - and they are really good.

They look to be professionally filmed, Sam (if that's who it is!) is a natural in front of the camera, and demonstrates very clearly what you need to do, step by step, with camera angles that show what's going on.  There's clearly been a lot of thought, preparation and effort gone into the videos.

I'm getting a definite *quality* feel to the whole set-up.

I think it is actually Martin in front of the camera (from what I can tell from the Facebook group).  I haven't managed to get beyond unboxing yet as real life (grrr) got in the way for the last couple of weeks.  I will be posting updates when I get going too, having no experience of building guitars (never done so much as a parts caster). 

I agree that it all feels great quality and it looks like the courier did a better job of getting it to you than me (although to be fair everything inside is so well packed that it all survived unscathed despite parcel force's best effort!)

Looking forward to following your progress!

TTony

Excellent @SteveF - we can compare experiences.

SteveF

Definitely:) I can’t wait to get going on this. I’ve been wanting to build a guitar for ages but always been put off doing a kit due to quality and not knowing how to go about finishing.