Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY vs Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body (2026): Key Differences
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This comparison looks at the fistrock jm style mahogany DIY vs tele style basswood body options. Both are complete build-your-own electric guitar kits from Fistrock. They share unfinished bodies for custom painting and include rosewood fretboards for smooth playability. Each box contains the hardware and instructions needed for assembly. The main difference lies in their body shapes and tonewoods. One uses a JM-style mahogany construction, while the other features a Tele-style basswood body with an ash burl top.
Key differences
| Aspect | Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY Guitar Kit | Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top |
|---|---|---|
| Body Type | JM style | Tele style |
| Body Material | Mahogany | Basswood with ash burl top |
| Neck Material | Mahogany | Hard maple |
| Model | DIY SJA 40-MH | DIY STL 100BNA-R |
Which one should you choose?
Choose Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY Guitar Kit if
- You prefer the dense, warm tone associated with mahogany wood.
- You want a neck made from mahogany for a specific feel.
- You like the classic JM body shape for your build.
Choose Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top if
- You want the bright, clear sound typical of basswood.
- You desire a hard maple neck for stability and speed.
- You are attracted to the visual appeal of an ash burl top.
Verdict: Choose the JM style kit if you prioritize mahogany tonewoods for both body and neck. The Tele style kit is better if you prefer basswood brightness and a hard maple neck. Both kits offer a complete DIY experience with rosewood fretboards.
Body Wood and Neck Specs Compared
Body Material
The Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY Guitar Kit features a solid mahogany body. This dense wood is known for its warm tone and strong sustain, making it a popular choice for players seeking rich midrange frequencies. In contrast, the Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top uses a basswood core. Basswood is lighter and offers a balanced, neutral sound with clear highs and tight lows. The Tele Style model adds an ash burl top, which provides visual appeal and slight tonal brightness compared to the uniform mahogany of the JM style. Both bodies are unfinished, allowing you to apply your preferred finish.
Neck Material
Neck construction significantly affects playability and tone. The JM Style kit includes a mahogany neck, which matches the body wood. This one-piece or set-neck style construction typically offers better sustain and a warmer, more resonant feel. The Tele Style kit specifies a hard maple neck. Maple is harder and denser than mahogany, providing a brighter attack and snappier response. This difference aligns with the classic Telecaster design, which often pairs maple necks with single-coil pickups for clarity. If you prefer a warmer neck feel, the mahogany option is distinct. For a brighter, stiffer neck response, the hard maple is the practical choice.
Body Type
The physical shape of the guitar influences comfort and aesthetics. The first option is a JM style body, which generally features a double-cutaway design inspired by the Jackson JS series. This shape allows easier access to higher frets and offers a modern, aggressive look. The second option is a Tele style body, characterized by its classic single-cutaway silhouette. This shape is iconic and often preferred for its traditional appearance and comfortable contouring. The choice between these two styles depends on your visual preference and playing style. The JM style suits rock and metal players, while the Tele style fits blues, country, and classic rock genres.
Fretboard Material
Both kits include a rosewood fretboard, which is a key similarity. Rosewood is prized for its smooth surface and natural oils, which reduce friction during fast playing. It provides a warm, rounded tone that complements both mahogany and basswood bodies. The JM Style kit lists the fretboard material explicitly as rosewood. The Tele Style kit also specifies a rosewood fretboard, noting its dense grain for improved tone and volume. Since both products use this material, there is no difference in feel or tonal contribution from the fingerboard itself. You can expect a consistent playing experience regarding fretboard texture on both instruments.
Number of Strings
The Tele Style Basswood Body kit explicitly lists six strings as the number of strings. This is the standard configuration for most electric guitars and ensures compatibility with a wide range of music genres and techniques. The JM Style Mahogany DIY kit does not explicitly state the number of strings in its provided specifications. However, as a standard DIY guitar kit, it is designed for six strings. If the JM kit deviates from this standard, the Tele Style kit offers the confirmed six-string layout. For most builders, six strings are the expected norm, making this a minor distinction based on data clarity.
Choose the Right Fistrock Kit for You
Players seeking warm tone and sustain
The JM Style kit uses a solid mahogany body and neck. Mahogany is a dense wood known for delivering warm tones and strong sustain. This construction supports rich midrange frequencies, which suits musicians who prioritize depth and resonance in their electric guitar sound.
Builders wanting a classic Telecaster shape
The Tele Style kit features a basswood body topped with an ash burl layer. Basswood offers a balanced sound, while the ash burl adds visual appeal. This model includes a hard maple neck and S-S pickups, providing a traditional configuration for fans of the Telecaster design.
Those prioritizing lightweight construction
The Tele Style kit measures 28 inches in length and weighs less than the alternative. Its compact dimensions and lighter materials make it easier to handle during assembly and play. This profile suits builders who prefer a manageable size and a body that reduces overall instrument weight.
The products compared
Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY Guitar Kit
Best for: DIY builders seeking mahogany tone
- Body Material
- Mahogany
- Neck Material
- Mahogany
- Fretboard Material
- Rosewood
- Number of Strings
- 6
- Hand Orientation
- Right Handed
- Body Type
- JM Style
View on Amazon: Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY Guitar Kit Affiliate link
This Fistrock DIY kit provides a mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fretboard. The unfinished surfaces allow you to customize the finish and headstock design. The kit includes all necessary hardware and top-quality components for assembly. You will need a soldering iron and screwdriver to complete the build. It is designed for players who want to construct a custom instrument from sustainable woods.
Pros
- Mahogany body and neck for sustain
- Rosewood fretboard for smooth playability
- Unfinished surface for custom painting or staining
- Includes all necessary hardware in one box
Cons
- Requires external tools like a soldering iron
- Body and neck arrive unfinished
- No pre-installed electronics or pickups
Good fit if
- You want to build a guitar from scratch
- You prefer the tone of mahogany wood
- You enjoy customizing your instrument's appearance
Skip if
- You need a fully assembled instrument
- You do not have basic assembly tools
- You prefer a ready-to-play electric guitar
Verdict: Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY Guitar Kit is a solid choice for builders who value tonal warmth and customization. It suits those ready to invest time in assembly and finishing.
Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top
Best for: DIY builders wanting a Tele style basswood kit
- 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 Fistrock DIY kit features a Tele style body made of basswood with an ash burl top. It includes a hard maple neck and a rosewood fretboard. The kit comes with S-S pickups and a Tele type bridge. You receive all necessary parts for a beginner-level build. The body and neck are unfinished, allowing you to customize the finish and headstock design to your preference.
Pros
- Basswood body with ash burl top
- Hard maple neck with rosewood fretboard
- Includes S-S pickups and Tele type bridge
- Unfinished body and neck for customization
Cons
- Requires additional tools like a soldering iron
- Body is unfinished, requiring your own finish
- Rosewood fretboard material may have sourcing restrictions
Good fit if
- You want to build a Tele style guitar from scratch
- You prefer the tone of basswood and maple
- You enjoy customizing the finish and appearance
Skip if
- You need a pre-assembled instrument
- You lack basic assembly tools
- You prefer a finished product ready to play
Verdict: Fistrock Tele Style Basswood DIY Kit offers a complete set of parts for a Tele style build. It suits builders who want to customize their instrument's finish and tone using specific tonewoods.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY Guitar Kit | Fistrock Tele Style Basswood Body with Ash Burl Top |
|---|---|---|
| Body Material | Mahogany | Basswood with Ash Burl Top |
| Neck Material | Mahogany | Hard Maple |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Number of Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Hand Orientation | Right Handed | Right Handed |
| Body Type | JM Style | Tele Style |
| Target Audience | Beginners | Beginners |
| Color | Natural | Rosewood Fretboard |
| Dimensions | 29.5 × 20 × 3.35 inches | 28 × 19 × 2.4 inches |
| Weight | 9 ounces | not stated |
| Size | 20 inches x 29.5 inches x 3.35 inches | not stated |
| Model | DIY SJA 40-MH | DIY STL 100BNA-R |
Frequently asked questions
Which Fistrock kit has the larger overall dimensions?
The Fistrock JM Style Mahogany DIY Guitar Kit is larger. It measures 29.5 inches in length, 20 inches in width, and 3.35 inches in height. The Tele Style Basswood Body kit is slightly smaller, with a length of 28 inches, a width of 19 inches, and a height of 2.4 inches.
What type of fretboard material does each kit include?
Both kits feature a rosewood fretboard. The JM Style Mahogany DIY model lists rosewood as its fretboard material in the attributes. The Tele Style Basswood Body kit also specifies rosewood in its color and specs section, ensuring similar playability characteristics for both builds.
Are both kits unfinished for custom painting?
Yes, both are unfinished. The JM Style kit is listed in Natural color, indicating a raw wood finish. The Tele Style kit includes an ash burl top but is sold as a DIY kit. You will need to apply your own finish to both bodies to protect the wood and achieve your desired look.
Which model is heavier based on the listed specs?
The JM Style Mahogany DIY kit is heavier. It weighs 9 ounces according to the specifications. The Tele Style Basswood Body kit does not list a specific weight in the provided data. You should expect the mahogany body to contribute more mass than the basswood body.
What is the difference in body wood between the two?
The first kit uses mahogany for its body. This wood is dense and known for warm tones. The second kit uses basswood for its body, topped with ash burl. Basswood is typically lighter and offers a different tonal profile compared to the heavier mahogany construction.
Do the kits have different model numbers?
Yes, they have distinct model identifiers. The JM Style kit is model DIY SJA 40-MH. The Tele Style kit is model DIY STL 100BNA-R. These codes help you identify the specific style and wood combination when ordering parts or consulting technical documentation.
How do the width measurements compare?
The JM Style kit is wider. It has a width of 20 inches. The Tele Style kit is narrower, with a width of 19 inches. This one-inch difference may affect the balance and body shape, which you should consider when planning your build.