I worked in a guitar shop for a year and the two most common things I saw were steel strings on a (ruined) classical guitar - a few times the neck was about to snap.....and people that didn't know how to properly string/tune their guitar. I was also an audio engineer for a long time and you wouldn't believe how many guitars I had to fix for the "artist" before they went on stage. I have no idea how some of these people arrive at being musicians.....
Since there's some bass talk in this thread, I'll show my rig. I was a bassist in a band for a couple years. Some pretty unique Ampeg pieces; SVT400T head and that's actually a SVT 2x12 instead of a 4x10. I love my Fender American Jazz V. Sorry for the large picture:
PRS must be the exception to the rule. Ibanez, Takamine, Fender, Recording King, Charvel, Hamer, Ovation, Loar...........I've got quite a list of guitar manufacturers that DON'T do it. Why? Because it's not necessary.
Pretty sure my Gibson had the same thing in the little handbook, but that was in the 90s so I can't be sure. My Ovation I don't remember either, its only slightly newer. That is how I learned to string way way back when I was working in a guitar shops around twice and through, then bring them up to tension. It unnecessary with a locking nuts, but but for most conventional tuners its a sure way to make sure they don't slip, and that was why I stuck with it, every time I DIDN'T something would slip and I'd get nailed by the owner.
Yes, I've built a couple warmoths and had a Carvin built once. All of which I've since sold for various reasons. I about to have a high school buddy build me a 7 string, his work is pretty impressive.
I've never built one myself, but I designed this one and had it built by a local luthier/builder. You didn't specify acoustic or electric. Parts for bolt together electrics are readily available and make a nice project that you can add your personal spin to (finish, electronics, etc.) If acoustic, a good way to get started is to to a kit - Stewart-MacDonald has lots and produce decent results if you have basic skills and tools. Here's a link. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits.html The guy who built my 12 string offers courses to a few students at a time, and you build a guitar with his help and shop facilities. I bet this is available in lots of places. Not cheap, but some spectacular results. Here's an example. Have fun!
I've seen acoustics built, that's way more work that I would want to undertake. I just think it would be fun to buy all of the parts and build a "Frankstrat.
Doing a little channel surfing I came across the HSN channel and a Memorial Day special from Randy Jackson for a guitar package. They are calling it "Randy Jackson American Tribute Limited Edition 20pc Guitar Package They say it has a retail value of between $700-$800 and the Special price is $289.95 ! You get a choice of electric or acoustic electric, with an amp, hard case, etc. etc. Does anyone have any experience with these ? Kinda curious if these are any good ?
While I can't speak to this specific kit, I can tell you that in my almost 30 years of working in or owning a music store that nearly all of these "special"kits are just that: special. Generally overpriced and usually of lower quality. But hey, it has some famous dudes name on it! If you really want to learn to play guitar, you can almost always do a LOT better at a local shop, plus they'll be there for service and any questions you have in the future. Don't even get me started on Esteban!
Anybody ever made a cigar box / gas can guitar. I saw a guy playing one slide style this week and really got interested. A little googling and it seems to be a cheap/fun project. Any experiences??