Leo JaymzDIY Electric Bass Guitar Kits - Mahogany Body, Roasted Maple Neck and Ebony Fingerboard - Fully Components Included (PB)

I have been looking for just the right kit to build a fretless bass out of. This one had the shape and pick up config I wanted. Took me about 6 weeks to complete but I am very happy with how it turned out.To start out, I had to pull the frets. These frets came out very easy. I didn't notice any glue at all. I only had a couple spots I had to fill due to tear out. I contacted Leo Jaymz through this site to inquire about perhaps buying a neck that didn't have the frets pressed into it yet but I never heard back. Turns out, it didn't matter.I filled the fret slots with dyed maple veneer pieces I ordered from here. I used red around the double dots as a little accent. It was my daughters idea so I named the guitar for her.If you look at some of the other customer photos, you'll see how heavy the grain pattern is on this kit. It's great if that's the look you are going for but I wanted to make a smooth body. Took about 7 coats in total of epoxy finishing resin to fill in and smooth out the grain. It's not perfect but close enough for me. For the paint, I primed it with white nitrocellulose lacquer. Then I mixed white pearl mica powder with clear gloss nitro and used an LVLP gun to spray it on. I painted the back of the neck the same way. I used the same technique for the headstock but used a black mica powder instead. I don't think the powders are the best way to tint clear nitro lacquer but it did work. After I got the color sprayed, I sprayed about 10 coats of clear. That was part of what took so long. I'm in SW FL and the weather here is not always conducive for spraying nitro. Between thinner, retarder, and waiting on the weather all in an effort to avoid blushing. I am pleased with the result and the color. I'm going to try using some 2k acrylic for the next one. It should be less affected by my weather. Or so I hear.To continue with the little touches of red, I bought some red bone nut blanks and cut a new nut. I was going to have to modify the plastic one anyways going to fretless so I took the opportunity to attempt to make a scratch one. It was pretty simple. I roughed it in on a stationary belt sander machine then used the included nut to transfer the slots over. Little file, little polish and it's a red bone nut. Yea!I made a few minor modifications to the body. For example, I recessed the input jack a bit and I did the same for the electronics cover. The way it comes, it's meant to sit on top of the body. I think it looks a bit cleaner recessed. As for the electronics, I didn't change anything. I know there were some complaints on the pickups etc but they sound good to me. I can always change them later if I want. Same goes for the dime size pots. They are all pre-soldered. It all went together very easy and very obvious. The only thing that gave me pause for a moment was the pickups not being marked. Turns out they both measure the same at 12500 k ohm. So it doesn't really matter which one you put where. Finally, if you cover the electronics compartment with the included copper tape like I did, watch out for shorts. You'll know you have a when everything is plugged in but you get no sound. Ask me how I know.Overall, I am very happy with this kit. This is my third kit guitar and It's the best one yet. I am not great at painting but I'm learning. When I started this hobby, finishing is one of the skills I hoped to learn.Oh yeah, almost forgot. It sounds great! With two pickups that have separate volume and tone knobs, you really have a lot of options for your preferred output to your gear. Have fun!

I really loved the wood on this body. I used 3 different stains, starting with all back and sanding back to grain and then 2 different browns and then finished with rubbed oil. It really came out better than I even imagined. As far as quality, it’s a starter bass. But I could sit and look at the wood all day.

This was really easy to put together. All parts came in good shape and advertised. Sound/tone is fine, especially for the price. Used just two coats of Tru Oil on the neck after some light sanding. Neck is smooth. I spent a little to replace plastic nut with a bone nut. Also upgraded the bridge. Might or might not upgrade the pick ups; again, tone is fine, just a little dull for my taste. I will probably put some better strings on first.

The kit I ordered was the IB 4 string model. the neck fit perfectly into the body and the body was cut nice and accurate. I purchase these kits and make them into very nice professional playing guitars/bass's. I don't use any of the electronics, nuts or saddles. I consider those parts trash,, period. This body is nice except the grain is a bit tight. the neck is in need of lots of dressing. the fretboard although of nice rosewood had sanding grit marks against the grain. I had to oil and scrape several time to get it clean and smooth, ant the frets were unlevel and required blocking, crowning and polishing. The roasted maple neck and truss are fine. I will be installing an EMG active pickup set in this custom bass build. Also Polished brass nut and saddles, the tuners are fare and will be used for now.FYI,, the cutouts for the pickups is for 5 string (4 Inch) size.EDIT: The bass is completed and it finished up extremely nice. All went well for the assembly. I did change the tuners to Guyker pro's and they are not sloppy as the cheapo's that came in the kit. I also noticed that the neck is not roasted as advertised, but it is dyed to simulate a roasted maple neck. This Pissed me off as I was finishing the neck and gave it a light sand between coats, I got a little burn through the dye to the raw wood. I didn't notice until I was done with the finish, If I would have caught it I would have just sanded off the dye. Now you know before you go! LOL!I installed and EMG DE signature active pickup set, did a 2V +1T + 3 way switch setup and I really thumps good and strong. Also added a brass Nut and saddles. This color is Tropical Teal with a satin lacquer finish. Enjoy!

For my second home build I chose the Leo Jaymz IB5 Five String DIY kit. Saw a number of good reviews on Leo Jaymz products and the price was good. The kit arrived quickly in excellent condition, like my previous build I was mainly interested in the body, neck and electronics as I ordered higher grade hardware. The body is billed as roasted ash but looked, felt and worked more like mahogany. It sanded well, took stain and finish very nicely and the neck was straight and just needed the ends of the frets touched up a little. The head was easily sanded into a more unique shape. The neck fit perfectly, no shimming needed.Hardware mounted easily, the pre wired plug and play pickups actually sound pretty good after being set properly and the pots work smoothly with no crackle.The finished bass looks great, the grain pattern pops with the stain and finish. Sound works for me.The only thing missing is an instruction book like other Leo Jaymz products but assembly is pretty self explanatory.I may just build another at some point. Thank you for an excellent kit!