You see a lot of Strat or Telecaster-style kits online, but tackling a seven-string is a whole different ball game. We're not just talking about "one more string," but an increase in neck tension of approximately $+15/%$. Can a 200 $ kit handle that?
Here is the report of this "muscular" build based on an RG-type system, courtesy of Vibeworks Guitars
1. Inspection and Preparation of the Handle
The kit comes with an alder body (alder) and a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. The neck has a slight backbow natural, which is ideal: the tension of the strings will compensate for it to make it straight.
- Fret work: Using a fret rocker to identify the upper frets. There are very few, and some return to their original position after being clamped with a wooden clamp. For the others, instead of a flat file, I only used a crowning file (crowning file) to preserve the material.
- Polishing: Complete masking of the fretboard. Use of a homemade sanding block (made from a grooved eraser) to conform to the shape of the frets. Progressing from 600 grit to 2000 grit.
- Comfort : Rounding the fret edges with a modified hardware file (one smooth edge, one sharp edge).
2. Finish: Scarlet Red & Black Burst
Alder is a closed-grain wood, so no pore filler is needed (grain filler), but you have to be meticulous.
- Lift the grain: A crucial step with water-based stains. The wood is wetted to swell the fibers, left to dry, then sanded with 320 grit sandpaper. This also reveals traces of glue invisible to the naked eye.
- Dyeing: Scarlet red diluted 50/50 in the center, then black on the edges to create an effect burst. The advantage of water is that you can reactivate the tint to perfect the gradient even after drying.
- The Varnish (Wipe-on Poly): Polyurethane and mineral solvent mixture for application with a cloth.
- Total : 10 thin layers.
- Technique: Wet sanding from the 6th coat onwards with a drop of dish soap to avoid clogging the paper.
3. Home-Made Electronics and Shielding«
To limit noise (especially on a guitar intended for metal), shielding is essential.
- DIY conductive paint: A mixture of graphite powder, acrylic paint, and distilled water. Two layers provide a resistance of no more than 300 ohms, which is excellent for blocking interference.
- Wiring : Simple and effective. One volume, one 3-position selector. All ground connections are grouped on the back of the potentiometer.
4. Assembly and Critical Setup
This is where the precision of the Vibeworks kit shines: the holes are perfectly aligned.
- Stabilization: Applying fluid CA (cyanoacrylate) glue into the holes of the Floyd Rose pivots and strap buttons to harden the alder fibers (hard wood but still) and prevent the parts from moving under tension.
- The Floyd Rose: On a 7-string guitar, it was necessary to install 4 springs to balance the massive tension of the strings.
- The Neck Shim: Since the microphone surrounds were a bit high, I added a shim (shim) sandpaper in the neck cavity to modify the neck angle. This allows the action to be lowered without the strings touching the pickups.
Verdict: The best kit to date?
The price-to-quality ratio is impressive. The neck is stable, the alignment is exemplary, and the guitar is very comfortable despite its wide neck. With a little work, you get a serious instrument just waiting to unleash its full potential.
