Hi- I've built 3 solid body electrics from scratch. While there is a LOT of satisfaction in making a guitar 100% from scratch it is quite difficult/challenging to make a truly premium playing guitar. There's a LOT of science going on and very little margin for error. All things considered, mine came out pretty nice. I get a lot of nice comments when I show them. They are completely playable but they can't be compared to high-end factory instruments. To make a truly premium, amazing guitar a sizable investment in specialty tools and jigs is necessary. You'll have fun, you'll learn a LOT, and you will become an authority on the subject of sandpaper. To make a guitar that is worth more than the sum value of it's parts will require superior skill/patience/research. I've also done a couple of kits: Not nearly as satisfying and almost all of the parts supplied are "bottom of the barrel" quality. If you are getting the urge to get into the mechanics and workings of guitar my (personal) recommendation is to shop out old, cheap guitars and restore them. You will learn how to spot old guitars that have "good bones". Start with ones that just need a good rub-out/cleaning, tarnish removal, electronics clean-up, and set-up. After you're good at that move on to ones that need fret work ... then try a complete re-fret. You'll find these guitars cheap ( craigslist, garage sales, pawn shops, etc ) so even after throwing $20-$30 at them for pots, knobs, etc. you're only into them for $75-$100. Provided you've mastered the art of set-up and get them playing/looking really nice you'll be in a position to re-coup your investment easily. And it's fun. How to spot the right guitars would be another whole sermon, let me know if you're interested in that. Good luck buddy, hope you have fun whichever way you go.