DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit Review: Build Your Custom Dream Axe without the Custom Shop Price

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you strike the first chord on a guitar you built with your own hands. For many of us, the hunt for the perfect instrument is a lifelong pursuit. We scour music shops, browse endless forums, and save up thousands for “the one.” But there’s a common frustration: even high-end guitars often require compromises in finish, hardware, or feel. You search for a PRS-style aesthetic but find the price tag prohibitive, or you find an affordable model that lacks the resonant mahogany soul you crave. This is the exact moment when many players consider the DIY route. By choosing the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit, you aren’t just buying a box of parts; you’re taking control of your tone and ergonomics from the ground up. The complication of not taking this leap is often a cycle of “buying and selling” mid-tier guitars that never quite feel like they belong to you. We’ve found that the DIY process solves the disconnect between player and instrument, provided you have the right foundation to start with.

What to Consider Before Diving into Solid Body Electric Guitars

A Solid Body Electric Guitars is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for any musician looking for sustain, feedback resistance, and a platform for sonic experimentation. Unlike acoustic or semi-hollow instruments, a solid body guitar relies heavily on the quality of its wood and the precision of its hardware to deliver a professional sound. When you’re looking at a kit like the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit, you’re looking for a marriage of structural integrity and aesthetic potential. The solid body provides the “canvas” for your electronics to work their magic, making it the most versatile tool in a guitarist’s arsenal.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the “cookie-cutter” limitations of mass-produced instruments—someone who wants a high-end look and feel but is willing to put in the “sweat equity” to get there. It is perfect for DIY enthusiasts, hobbyist woodworkers, and players who want to understand the mechanics of their instrument. However, it might not be suitable for those who want a “plug and play” experience out of the box or those who lack the patience for sanding, staining, and basic soldering. If you aren’t prepared to spend a few weekends in the garage, a pre-assembled model might be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: While the guitar itself is a standard right-handed scale, you must consider the space needed for assembly. You’ll need a clean, well-ventilated area for sanding and painting, as well as a stable workbench. The DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit arrives as a collection of components, so having a dedicated spot to organize screws, pickups, and hardware is vital for a successful build.
• Capacity/Performance: In the world of DIY kits, performance is dictated by the fit of the neck pocket and the quality of the timber. You want a kit where the mahogany body and neck are dense enough to provide sustain but resonant enough to feel “alive” when unplugged. We’ve found that a tight neck-to-body connection is the single most important factor in how the finished guitar will play.
• Materials & Durability: Mahogany is the gold standard for many because of its warm, mid-range punch. When evaluating a kit, check the grade of the rosewood on the fingerboard and the thickness of any decorative veneers. A kit with chrome hardware, like this one, offers a classic look and excellent resistance to corrosion, ensuring your build lasts for years of gigging.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Since you are the manufacturer, maintenance becomes much easier because you know every wire and screw. However, consider whether the kit is “pre-polished” or requires heavy grain filling. A pre-polished body saves hours of labor and allows you to see its full feature set and user reviews before deciding on your final finish.

Taking these factors into account ensures that your DIY journey ends with a professional-grade instrument rather than a “closet queen” that never gets played. Transitioning from a buyer to a builder is a significant step, but with the right components, the results are incredibly rewarding.

While the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit is an excellent choice for those who want to get their hands dirty, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit

When the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit first arrived on our bench, the weight of the mahogany body was the first thing we noticed. It feels substantial and serious—not like the flimsy basswood or plywood often found in budget kits. The mahogany neck has a satisfying profile, and the rosewood fingerboard looked healthy and ready for a bit of lemon oil. The “PRS-style” silhouette is iconic, featuring those beautiful double cutaways that offer excellent access to the upper frets. We were particularly impressed with the “pre-polished” claim; the body felt remarkably smooth, though as with any wood product, a light touch-up with high-grit sandpaper is always recommended before your first coat of stain.

Assembly feels intuitive for anyone who has spent time around guitars. While there aren’t formal instructions in the box, the hardware is laid out logically. If you’ve ever changed a bridge or swapped a pickup, you’ll feel right at home. We recommend you check the latest price and availability to see how this kit compares to buying these premium tonewoods separately—you’ll quickly realize the value proposition here is quite high. Compared to previous versions of similar DIY kits, the neck fit on this specific model appears much tighter, which is a massive win for sustain.

The Deep Dive: Evaluating the Performance of the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit

Structural Integrity and the “Mahogany Soul”

The core of any great guitar is the wood. In our evaluation of the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit, we spent a significant amount of time inspecting the mahogany used for the body and neck. Mahogany is prized for its “warmth”—a sonic characteristic where the low and mid frequencies are emphasized, giving the guitar a thick, authoritative voice. We found that the density of the wood in this kit is consistent, which is crucial for preventing “dead spots” on the neck. When we dry-fitted the neck into the pocket, there was virtually no wiggle room. This tight tolerance is a hallmark of a well-manufactured kit. If the neck pocket is loose, you lose vibrational energy; however, with the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit, the energy transfer is efficient, promising great sustain even before the electronics are wired in.

The rosewood fingerboard is another highlight. In an era where many manufacturers are switching to synthetic materials or lighter woods like laurel, having genuine rosewood provides that oily, smooth feel that players have loved for decades. We noticed the frets were seated well, with no glaring “sprouts” or sharp edges, though a quick polish always helps. This attention to structural detail makes the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit a feature that really sets it apart from cheaper, mass-market alternatives. It’s a foundation that rewards the time you spend finishing it.

The Art of the Finish: Challenges and Triumphs

One of the most exciting—and nerve-wracking—parts of a DIY build is the finish. The DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit comes with a flamed maple veneer on top of the mahogany body. This is designed to give you that high-end “boutique” look once stained. However, our testing and user feedback confirm that this veneer is thin (about 1mm). This means you cannot go at it with a heavy-duty power sander. We found that a gentle, hand-sanding approach is mandatory. We encountered a few small spots of “glue squeeze-out” near the edges of the veneer—a common issue in kit manufacturing. If you don’t scrape this glue away carefully, your stain won’t penetrate, leading to splotchy patches.

Despite this challenge, the “pre-polished” state of the mahogany back and sides is a massive time-saver. We were able to move straight to a grain filler and then to a nitrocellulose spray without the hours of heavy-duty prep work usually required. The result is a guitar that looks like it cost five times the price of the kit. For those looking to master the art of guitar finishing, this kit provides a perfect, albeit delicate, canvas. Being able to customize the color to your exact specification is why you choose this DIY path over a store-bought model.

Hardware, Electronics, and Playability

A guitar can have the best wood in the world, but if the hardware is junk, it won’t stay in tune. The DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit features chrome hardware, including a tremolo bridge system and humbucking (H-H) pickups. In our hands-on assembly, we found the hardware to be surprisingly robust. The tuners hold tension well, and the bridge is responsive. The H-H configuration is the classic choice for a PRS-style guitar, offering thick, distortion-friendly tones at the bridge and creamy, bluesy leads at the neck. While some “tone purists” might eventually upgrade the pickups to high-end brands, the stock units included in the kit are more than capable of handling rehearsals and home recording.

What really impressed us was the playability of the neck profile. It’s a “Goldilocks” shape—not too thick like a ’50s Gibson, but not as razor-thin as a modern shredder’s Ibanez. It feels ergonomic and fast. After a basic setup (adjusting the truss rod and setting the intonation), the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit played as well as instruments we’ve tested in the $500-$700 range. This level of performance is why we suggest you investigate the hardware specifications further to see if they align with your playing style. It’s a versatile machine that can handle everything from jazz to hard rock.

The Assembly Experience: A Learning Curve Worth Navigating

Finally, we have to talk about the “build” itself. The DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit does not come with a step-by-step manual. While this might sound daunting, we actually found it to be a benefit for the target audience. The “builder” community is massive, and a simple search for “PRS style kit assembly” yields hours of expert tutorials that are far more helpful than a paper manual could ever be. We found that by researching the wiring diagrams online, we gained a much deeper understanding of how guitar electronics function—knowledge that will help us maintain every guitar we own in the future.

The satisfaction of seeing the individual components—the mahogany, the chrome, the rosewood—come together into a functional, beautiful instrument is unmatched. The DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit is designed for the person who values the journey as much as the destination. If you want to truly “own” your sound, starting your build with this kit is a transformative experience for any guitar player.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus among those who have tackled the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit is one of high praise for the “bones” of the instrument, tempered by a few warnings about the finishing stage. Many users have echoed our findings that the neck is the standout feature. As one builder noted, “The neck was incredible right out of the box… super smooth and excellent fretting.” This sentiment is common; the playability of the mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard consistently punches above its weight class.

However, we must address the “veneer” feedback. A few users pointed out that the 1mm maple top is extremely thin, and glue seep-out can be a frustration. One user shared that they had to sand through the veneer to the walnut-colored mahogany underneath because the glue spots made the stain look splotchy. Another mentioned that “the top has become too thin in places to completely saturate with stain.” This feedback is crucial: it means you should approach the top with extreme caution. On the positive side, most users found the assembly straightforward, with one noting that “if you have played a guitar you should know the basics and a simple Google query will get you all the info you need.” Overall, the sentiment is that for the price, you are getting a professional-grade set of tonewoods that simply require a bit of patience and finesse to finish.

Comparing the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit to Top Alternatives

While the DIY route is rewarding, it’s not the only way to get a great instrument. Here is how our kit compares to three popular “ready-to-play” models.

1. Fender Squier Affinity Telecaster Electric Guitar

The Squier Affinity Telecaster is the “gold standard” for beginners who want a reliable, iconic instrument without the work. Unlike the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit, this comes fully finished and backed by a Fender warranty. While the Squier offers the legendary “twang” of a Tele, it lacks the mahogany warmth and the dual-humbucker power of the DBL kit. If you want a guitar that is ready for a gig tonight, go with the Squier. However, if you want a custom look and a thicker, more resonant tone, the DBL kit is the superior choice for those willing to put in the work.

2. enya Inspire 39′ Smart Electric Guitar with Speaker

The Enya Inspire is a completely different beast, aimed at the modern, tech-forward player. It’s made of carbon fiber and features a built-in speaker and smart presets. While it’s incredibly convenient for travel and practice, it lacks the traditional soul of mahogany and rosewood found in the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit. The Enya is for the player who wants “future tech,” whereas the DBL kit is for the player who wants “timeless tradition.” You can’t “finish” an Enya—it is what it is. With the DBL, you are the artist.

3. Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA

The Jackson JS22 is a dedicated “shred machine.” It features a fast neck and high-output humbuckers, similar to the H-H setup of our DBL kit. However, the Jackson is a mass-produced, satin-finished guitar made for speed above all else. The DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit offers a more “classy” aesthetic and the ability to choose your own hardware and finish. The Jackson is great for a teenager starting their first metal band, but the DBL kit offers a more mature, customizable experience that results in a unique, “one-of-a-kind” instrument.

Final Verdict: Is the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit Worth Your Time?

After a deep dive into the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit, our verdict is clear: this is a phenomenal value for the right person. If you are a guitarist who has always looked at those high-end, carved-top instruments with envy, this kit is your ticket into that world. The mahogany body and neck provide a tonal foundation that is significantly better than what you’ll find on most budget pre-built guitars. The neck-pocket fit is superb, and the chrome hardware is reliable enough for serious play. Yes, the thin veneer requires a delicate touch, and the glue smears mean you’ll need to be meticulous during the prep phase, but these are small hurdles in the context of building a custom instrument.

We recommend this kit to anyone who wants to transition from a “guitar owner” to a “guitar builder.” It is an educational, rewarding, and ultimately productive way to spend your time. You will end up with an instrument that sounds better, looks more personal, and feels more “yours” than anything you could buy off a rack at this price point. Don’t let the lack of instructions hold you back—the internet is your manual. If you’re ready to take the leap and craft your own signature sound, we highly suggest you grab the DBL PRS Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit today and start your build.