Hi Kathy,
You shouldn't allow yourself to be discouraged by the general
dislike of HG kits. The kits are designed to be built by the average
handiman using the sort of tools that are found in his/her shed.
They are of necesity rather simple and use inexpensive ply veneers
and hardware.
The sound produced by any wooden string instrument is a product of
the quality of design, build and the materials used so it stands to
reason that a kit will never compete with even the most simple 'properly'
built instrument.
But provided it is assembled with care, attention is paid
to mitigate its more obvious faults, and it is set up properly
the kit will work.
It will produce a sound which perhaps while not very sweet will have some
of the flavour of its big brothers and will give you the pleasure
of playing a home built instrument.
What you learn on the way is invaluable to you as a player and owner.
I'm quite sure that the builders on this group both professional and amateur
at the begining of their careers have built instruments that don't bear too
much close scrutiny, certainly I have a large wall full of 'Instrument shaped
objects' I doubt that any of us are really uncritical of or very happy with
our first attempts.
The only caveat is that you realise what your instrument isn't and don't judge
all HG on its performance.
Regards, Tony
