Have you always dreamed of building your own guitar?
If the idea of building your own instrument intrigues you, or if you are looking for an economical way to equip a beginner or simply add a guitar to your collection, guitar kits can be a great option.
In this new series on Le Guitovore, I'm starting to assemble a Stratocaster-type kit... and not just any Stratocaster: the cheapest kit I could find on the internet ! Sign Leo James, this kit promises a low-cost experience—but is it really worth it? Let's unbox it together.
📦 Unboxing of the Leo James Strat kit
The kit arrives in just two days, very well packaged. When you open it, here is what you find:
- Ultra-light guitar body (probably softwood, possibly paulownia)
- Handle already sanded, without finish
- Electronics almost completely pre-assembled
- Assembly guide (no game instructions, despite an ad for lessons)
- All necessary accessories (key, screws, buttons, wiring, etc.)
🪵 Wood: light but surprising
From the moment you take it in hand, the weight of the body is surprising. It may be the lightest guitar that I had in my hands! The wood is not poplar or alder — possibly paulownia — with an open grain but a completely correct appearance. The body looks raw, unsealed, which is both good news and bad news :
- ✅ Good news: Penetrating stain will work well
- ❌ Bad news: beware of humidity and deformation
🛠️ Neck and fingerboard analysis
THE handle is quite thin, with a touch that seems to be in Indian laurel, an affordable alternative to rosewood. The frets are installed correctly, without excessive snags, even if a small polishing touch-up would not be too much.
Please note:
- Sleeve fits snugly into body cavity
- Pre-drilled holes well aligned
- Small wood defect to be filled before finishing
🧯 Little surprise during the exam…
By manipulating the handle, I notice a slight curvature towards the rear. It's not catastrophic, but enough to hamper playability. Fortunately, the neck is equipped with a double action truss rod, which allowed me to quickly correct the curvature. However, when checking the flatness of the frets, I noticed that the frets 3 and 9 are slightly higher than the others. Leveling will therefore be necessary to avoid any buzz and ensure good playing comfort.
🧠 Guitovore Council : Even on a well-made kit, it is common to have some irregularities in the frets. Plan on a little finishing work for optimal results!
🎛️ Electronic components: ready-to-assemble
The real surprise here is that everything is already wired in quick connect. No soldering required, everything is plug-in. Never seen before at this price!
What we find:
- Three single-coil pickups
- Miniature but functional potentiometers
- Three-ply pickguard in good condition
- Guitar cable provided (very average quality — avoid!)
🧠 Guitovore Tip A good guitar cable makes all the difference. Invest in a quality cable to preserve your highs and minimize interference!
🧩 Accessories and hardware
The kit contains everything needed for a complete assembly:
- Tremolo ultra light, with thin zamac block
- Adhesive copper tape for shielding (a very good point)
- Very light mechanics (to be seen if they hold the tune)
- Straplocks included (unexpected bonus!)
- Belt, cable and tremolo bar
🔧 First impressions: a surprisingly decent base
I was leaving with some very low expectations, but this Leo James kit surprises me on several points. Yes, some elements are low-end (knobs, cable, mechanics), but:
- THE sleeve-body fit is excellent
- The wood is prettier than expected
- The editing seems simple and accessible to beginners
“It's a perfect project to get started on without breaking the bank. And with a few well-placed tweaks, there's a way to turn it into something really cool.”
🧪 And then?
In the next episodes, I will:
- Stain the wood and apply the finish
- Polish the frets
- Assemble the electronics
- Adjust the handle and action
- And of course… test the final sound of this budget guitar!
🧰 Who is this project for?
- To beginners who want to learn DIY guitar making without risking an expensive guitar
- To those who want a low-budget creative project
- To curious who dream of a personalized guitar
🔗 Follow the series!
👉 Subscribe to the Le Guitovore YouTube channel so you don't miss anything about the construction of this ultra-budget guitar!
