General
Model Number
ESK-35T
Series
ES Style
Body Information
Body Material
Maple
Body Shape
ES Style
Body Finish
Maple
Neck Information
Neck Material
Maple
Neck Finish
Unfinished
Scale Length
24.75" / 628mm
Fingerboard Material
Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius
12"
Number of Frets
22
Frets
Medium Jumbo, Nickel Silver
Nut Material
Plastic
Nut Width
42mm
Position Inlays
Crown
Truss Rod
2-Way-Action
Truss Rod Nut
4 mm Hex
Hardware & Electronics
Finish
Chrome
Pickup Configuration
2 x HB
Pickups
Ceramic Pickups
Controls
2V, 2T
Bridge
Tune-o-matic, Trapezoid tailpiece
Tuning Machines
Grover Style
Potentiometers
Full Sized Pots
Misc
Includes all mounting screws, strap buttons, cover, and gold top-hat bell knobs
Accessories
Includes
Hex Adjustment Keys & Instrument Cable
Jordan Fritz (verified buyer) –
This was my first DIY guitar project. It was super fun! The instructions were really easy to follow, and everything went together as it should.
The fretwork was actually spot on, so I haven’t had to touch up any of them.
The only problem I had was that the nut height was way too high and threw off intonation, so I sanded down and installed a GraphTech nut. Now this is one of my favourite guitars. Worth every cent.
Scott Nicoll –
First kit went together great. The fit was top notch. The neck was true and the frets ready to go. I had a little trouble with the wiring but after an e-mail I was contacted by a gentleman named Matt who helped me through it over the phone. Great service…Thanks Matt. I was surprised at how good the pick-ups sound. Great guitar and loads of fun.
Richard (verified buyer) –
I’m having the time of my life working on this sucker. Top notch quality on all the pieces and parts. I’m just trying not to rush the finishing process because I want to try it out. This is highly recommended for anyone who wants to relish in a true sense of accomplishment.
billtaylor613 (verified buyer) –
This was my first adventure with a set-style neck.
I was apprehensive and concerned about building a kit with a neck that I could not adjust after gluing it in place.
I trialed the fit (nice close fit in the pocket) and measured the scale of the guitar determining that the bridge location was appropriate for the intonation adjustments offered by the moveable bridge pieces.
After gluing in the neck and adding strings, I was relieved to find that I was able to achieve good intonation.
With that worry out of the way, the rest of the assembly went smoothly.
I found the wiring diagram was not giving me the “blended” effect I required when both pickups were engaged.
However, I found a LP wiring diagram on the net that gave me good blending and all was well.
the robust block through the body from neck to tail and the attachment points of the bridge into that block gives way better sustain than a floating bridge on an arch-top hollow body design, so I really prefer this semi-hollow body design to a full hollow body when it comes to amplifying the instrument and having access to the full sonic range of an electric guitar.
Overall, I am satisfied with my new great-looking instrument and I do love showing it off.
renaud.mariele (verified buyer) –
Quand j’ai commandé ce kit ESK 35, je n’avais pas remarquer que les 4 1/2 étoiles représentait le niveau de difficulté. Je peux vous dire que j’ai maintenant terminé et que j’ai réussi! Après quelques ajustement, je l’ai connecté et elle fonctionne.
stessier000 –
Pour repondre a renaud.mariele les 4-1/2 etoiles sont pour la qualité et les guitar sous le prix sont pour le niveau de difficulté.1 etant le plus facile et 5 le plus dur
Phillip Brummett (verified buyer) –
I have built over 25 different kits and this was my 1st attempt at a hollow body project. I loved the way it turned out and all parts fit extremely well together. I would highly encourage watching videos on how to install the electronics. Made the project very enjoyable. This is going to be my main instrument from now on!
gordwatt (verified buyer) –
Now that I’ve done one, the next will be a lot easier. My first goof was fitting the neck too deep so when I tried to insert the neck pick up I had no room for the top of the frame. I was terrified that it would mess up the intonation. It turned out okay.
I suggest you put together one guitar finishing kits to go with your DIY, there are so many options out there, its very difficult to decide. I followed a You Tube instruction on wiring and laid on some “Blue” masking tape to protect from scratching. The pods went in relatively easy, but the masking tape lifted the polyurethane off the top. After a week of dabbing it looks great again.
Like the other reviewer I’ve removed and filed the nut and I dressed a couple high frets. I got it playable enough to deserve its own case. It’s my guitar, my colour, my brand and I know it inside out.
Some diagrams, visual aids and finishing direction would help.
depritch (verified buyer) –
Fantastic kit. Great quality and great service when you chat with the boys at the store. This is my fourth kit. Each has had its headaches, but they’re fun problem solving headaches. I saw another review about the neck going too far into the pocket, interfering with the PU position. That’s why you dry fit and check again. I had to adjust the bridge position some. I will shape and polish the frets to make them perfect, but they are serviceable out of the box. I wired it, strung it up and set it up even before sanding. I have replaced the nut too (bone) and stripping down. Finishing next, (always my greatest fear) and then put it all back together. New pots, caps and jack. Great fun so far, and you sure learn a lot.
im_gilles (verified buyer) –
I just got my kit…wow it’s a beauty. Solo has become my favorite guitar store, all my orders so far have been right on and no problems. Thank you and have a great day. I’ll be taking my time, it’s my first build…it’s a 5 stars from me. I ordered on April 24 and got it on the 26 ( 2023 )
Bob Browne (verified buyer) –
My first time ordering from Solo and I must say I am very impressed with the whole experience.
Received shipping notice within hours of sending order and free shipping to NL is always a bonus.
bluesfan (verified buyer) –
This is my 15th kit from Solo. As usual it was a fast shipment with first class packaging.
None of the parts got injured in transit! The kit is fantastic. the body has a nice grain and cut to
perfection and the binding looks great. The neck is straight, nice levelled frets needed only minor polish
and the nut was cut to the correct depth, no need to file the slots down.
Also purchased Wilkinson WVCB and WVCN vintage pickups, Solo Pro Vintage 3 X 3 tuners with Keystone
Buttons and conversion bushings and a Solo Pro Trapezoid tailpiece. Then changed all the plastic parts
from black to ivory following my wife’s recommendatio (she is my cosmetics consutant…) which look
great with the Dar k Translucent Walnut stain I used for the body and the ivory binding.
Wiring:
All pots are 500K A on volumes and B on tones, brass sleeves and shafts, Caps are ceramics .022.
Volumes are wired independant and the tones wired vintage.
Changed the switch to a ”real” toggle.
Finish,
After sanding all the sealer I applied 2 coats of Saman Dark Walnut water base stain diluted with 25% water.
buffed with a grey Scotch Brite pad for a worn look, then applied 4 coat of Saman water base varnish also
buffing with the grey pad between each coat
The final set up was a breeze. With a nice low action she plays fantastic, sounds great and looks amazing.
Can’t wait to the next band practice.
Thanks again Solo for these fun kits.
Michel
gibson335s (verified buyer) –
This is the second guitar I bought from Solo and they did not disappoint. Body was in good starting condition and the neck only needed some minor finishing touches.
The hardware is as expected. Decent pick ups to start with and a goodcm starting point with the pots and selector. These are great kits to start with and then you make upgrades over time.
j_olvido (verified buyer) –
This is the first DIY Guitar I purchased from Solo. The product was great!! The neck fit perfectly, the body was in great condition. The hardware was good. Overall, I would recommend any guitar enthusiast who interested in building a DIY kit to buy from Solo. The cost is affordable and the kit is not complicated. Solo provides great resources for the wiring diagram as well as the instructions online. I am looking forward to purchasing another DIY kit soon.