Fistrock DIY Guitar Kit Beginner or Fistrock DIY Electric Guitar? Which Fistrock Model to Buy
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You are comparing the fistrock DIY guitar kit beginner vs DIY electric guitar models. Both kits include all necessary parts and hardware in one box, allowing you to build a complete instrument. They share sustainable wood components and unfinished surfaces for customization. The main difference lies in their body style and fretboard materials. One offers a JS style with a poplar laminated board, while the other provides a Tele style with a rosewood board. These variations affect both the visual appeal and the playing feel.
Key differences
| Aspect | Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck | Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top |
|---|---|---|
| Body Type | JS style | Tele style |
| Fretboard Material | Poplar laminated | Rosewood |
| Body Material | Basswood | Basswood with ash burl top |
| Number of Strings | not listed | 6 |
| Length | 27 inches | 28 inches |
Which one should you choose?
Choose Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck if
- You prefer the classic JS style body shape for your build
- You want a lighter poplar laminated fretboard for easier learning
- You are looking for a slightly shorter overall instrument length
Choose Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top if
- You want the traditional Tele style body design
- You prefer the dense grain and tone of a rosewood fretboard
- You want to include a decorative ash burl top on your basswood body
Verdict: Choose the JS style kit if you prioritize a beginner-friendly poplar fretboard and a compact form factor. Select the Tele style kit if you want a rosewood fingerboard and a distinctive ash burl top. Both options provide the core components needed for a successful DIY project.
Fistrock DIY Guitar Kit Comparison
Body Type
The Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck features a JS style body, offering a contoured shape similar to popular double-cutaway designs. This style often provides better access to higher frets. The Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top uses a Tele style body, known for its classic single-cutaway silhouette. This shape is iconic and offers a distinct visual aesthetic. Both bodies are made from basswood, which is lightweight and resonant. The choice between JS and Tele styles depends on your preference for playability access versus traditional looks.
Fretboard Material
Fingerboard materials significantly impact tone and feel. The Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck includes a poplar laminated fretboard. Poplar is dense and provides a smooth playing surface, which is noted for improved tone and volume. The Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top features a rosewood fretboard. Rosewood is traditionally valued for its warm tone and natural grain. The data indicates that rosewood also contributes to improved tone and volume. Your choice here depends on whether you prefer the smooth consistency of poplar or the traditional warmth of rosewood.
Number of Strings
The number of strings defines the instrument's range and playing style. The Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top is explicitly specified as a 6-string guitar. This is the standard configuration for most electric guitar music, allowing for full chords and complex lead lines. The Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck is described as a Beginner Kit JS Style Basswood Body Hard Maple Neck, with the title mentioning Bass. However, the key specs do not explicitly list the string count. Assuming standard kit configurations, the Tele style model guarantees a 6-string setup, while the JS model's string count requires verification from the full parts list.
Neck Material
Both kits utilize hard maple for the neck material. Maple is a dense, stable wood that provides a bright attack and clear sustain. It is also known for its durability and smooth finish, making it suitable for beginners and professionals alike. The Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck and the Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top both list hard maple necks. This consistency means you will experience similar playability characteristics regarding neck stiffness and tone. The difference lies in the attached fretboard material, not the neck wood itself. Both offer a reliable foundation for building your instrument.
Dimensions
Physical dimensions affect comfort and portability. The Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck measures 27 inches in length, 19 inches in width, and 2.4 inches in height. The Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top is slightly longer at 28 inches, while sharing the same width of 19 inches and height of 2.4 inches. This one-inch difference in length may subtly influence balance and reach. Both instruments are designed for standard hand sizes. The width and height are identical, ensuring similar body thickness and neck width profiles. You should consider the extra inch of length if you have specific ergonomic preferences.
Target Audience
The Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck is explicitly labeled as a Beginner Kit. This suggests the components and instructions are tailored for those new to guitar building and playing. The Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top is described as a DIY Electric Guitar Kit suitable for a beginner level build. Both kits target beginners, offering all necessary parts and hardware in one box. The JS model's branding emphasizes its entry-level nature more directly. However, both provide the same educational value and complete assembly experience. The choice depends more on aesthetic and tonal preferences than on skill level requirements.
Choose Your Fistrock DIY Guitar Model
Beginners wanting a compact bass-style instrument
This JS style kit measures 27 inches long, making it slightly shorter and more manageable for smaller hands. It features a basswood body and hard maple neck with a poplar laminated fretboard. The poplar wood offers a smooth playing surface that is easy to learn on, ideal for those just starting their guitar journey.
Players seeking a classic Telecaster aesthetic
This model adopts the iconic Tele style body shape, crafted from basswood with an ash burl top for a distinctive look. It includes a hard maple neck and a rosewood fretboard, known for its dense grain and improved tone. The rosewood provides a warm, rich sound profile that suits many musical genres effectively.
Builders preferring a standard six-string electric
Designed as a full six-string electric guitar, this kit includes S-S pickups and a Tele-type bridge for versatile sound options. It is 28 inches long, offering a standard scale length for familiar string tension. The rosewood fretboard and ash burl top add premium visual and tonal qualities to your custom build project.
The products compared
Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck
Best for: beginners building a custom JS-style guitar
- Body Material
- Basswood
- Neck Material
- Hard Maple
- Fretboard Material
- Engineered Wood
- Number of Strings
- 6
- Hand Orientation
- Right Handed
- Body Type
- JS Style
View on Amazon: Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck Affiliate link
This Fistrock DIY kit includes a basswood body and a hard maple neck with a poplar laminated fingerboard. The JS-style body measures 27 inches long and 19 inches wide. It arrives unfinished, allowing you to paint or stain the wood. The package provides all necessary parts for assembly. You need to supply basic tools like a soldering iron. This kit targets beginners looking to build their first instrument.
Pros
- Basswood body for balanced tone
- Hard maple neck for stability
- Poplar laminated fingerboard
- Complete parts kit included
Cons
- Requires external tools like a soldering iron
- Body and neck are unfinished
- No amplifier or accessories included
Good fit if
- You want to customize the guitar's finish
- You are a beginner building your first guitar
- You prefer a JS-style body shape
Skip if
- You need a ready-to-play instrument
- You lack basic assembly tools
- You prefer a pre-finished surface
Verdict: Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit offers a complete set of parts for beginners to build a custom instrument. It suits those who want to learn assembly and apply their own finish to a basswood body.
Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top
Best for: Builders wanting Tele-style single-coil guitars
- Body Material
- Basswood with Ash Burl Top
- Neck Material
- Hard Maple
- Fretboard Material
- Rosewood
- Number of Strings
- 6
- Hand Orientation
- Right Handed
- Body Type
- Tele Style
View on Amazon: Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top Affiliate link
This build-your-own kit provides a Tele-style electric guitar project with an unfinished basswood body and an ash burl top. It features a hard maple neck, a rosewood fretboard, an S-S pickup configuration, and a tele-style bridge. All core hardware comes included, making it suitable for builders who want a classic twin single-coil setup with custom wood finishing.
Pros
- Basswood body features an ash burl veneer top
- Hard maple neck paired with a rosewood fretboard
- Traditional S-S pickup setup with a tele-style bridge
- Die-cast chrome machine heads included in the box
Cons
- Requires a soldering iron and screwdriver not included in the kit
- Body and headstock arrive completely unfinished and require clear coat or stain
- Routing is limited to two single-coil pickups
Good fit if
- You want a Tele-style body profile with decorative ash burl grain
- You prefer traditional S-S single-coil electronics and hardware
- You have access to a soldering iron and finish supplies
Skip if
- You want a pre-finished body out of the box
- You prefer higher-output humbucker pickups
- You do not want to solder wiring components
Verdict: Fistrock DIY Tele Style Guitar Kit with Ash Burl Top provides a traditional single-coil configuration ready for custom finishing and basic electronics assembly. It fits makers who want classic Tele bridge and pickup specs with decorative burl wood grain.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | Fistrock DIY JS Style Guitar Kit Basswood Maple Neck | Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top |
|---|---|---|
| Body Material | Basswood | Basswood with Ash Burl Top |
| Neck Material | Hard Maple | Hard Maple |
| Fretboard Material | Engineered Wood | Rosewood |
| Number of Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Hand Orientation | Right Handed | Right Handed |
| Body Type | JS Style | Tele Style |
| Target Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Dimensions | 27 × 19 × 2.4 inches | 28 × 19 × 2.4 inches |
| Size | 27 inches | not stated |
| Color | Basswood Body | Rosewood Fretboard |
| Model | DIY SJS 100 | DIY STL 100BNA-R |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fistrock DIY JS Style kit suitable for absolute beginners?
Yes, this model is designed specifically for beginners building a custom instrument. It includes all necessary parts and hardware in one box. The basswood body and maple neck provide a stable foundation for learning assembly. You can apply your own finish to create a unique look without prior experience.
What is the difference between the JS and Tele style bodies?
The JS style features a contoured double-cutaway shape that often allows better access to higher frets. The Tele style offers a classic single-cutaway design. Both use basswood bodies, but the JS model is slightly shorter at 27 inches, while the Tele style measures 28 inches in length.
Does the Fistrock DIY Tele Style kit include a fretboard?
Yes, the Tele Style kit includes a rosewood fretboard. This model, identified as DIY STL 100BNA-R, provides a solid foundation for beginners. The rosewood surface offers a distinct feel and appearance compared to maple, allowing you to build a guitar with traditional tonal characteristics and visual appeal.
Which Fistrock model is smaller and easier to handle?
The JS Style kit is the more compact option. It measures 27 inches in length and 19 inches in width. This smaller footprint makes it slightly more manageable for builders with smaller hands or limited workspace. The Tele Style version is longer at 28 inches, offering a standard full-size scale.
Can I customize the finish on these DIY kits?
Both kits arrive with unfinished surfaces ready for customization. The JS Style kit features a basswood body, while the Tele Style kit adds an ash burl top to the basswood body. You can sand, stain, or paint these components to create a personalized instrument that matches your aesthetic preferences.
What type of wood is used for the neck in the JS kit?
The JS Style kit uses a hard maple neck. This material is known for its stability and bright tonal response. Combined with the basswood body, it creates a balanced instrument. The maple neck provides a smooth playing surface that is durable and well-suited for beginners learning to set up their guitar.
Are these kits complete with all necessary hardware?
Yes, both models include all necessary parts and hardware in one box. You receive everything needed to assemble a complete electric guitar. This includes the body, neck, and mounting hardware. You only need to provide your own strings and tools to finish the assembly and setup process.