Coban Guitars

Coban Guitars, DIY guitar kits for builders in the UK

Coban Guitars is a British shop founded in 2009 that sells build-it-yourself guitar kits. According to its own presentation, the company emerged after noticing that DIY kits on the market did not offer the quality builders deserved, and it set out to transform the traditional "partscaster" kit into a premium, reliable and enjoyable project for enthusiasts across the UK.

Its catalogue is organised around DIY guitar kits, bass kits, electric guitar kits, left-handed kits, beginner kits, pre-painted kits and double neck kits, as well as ukuleles and accessories. The company states it has one of the widest selections of DIY guitar kits in the country, from basswood ST starter kits to advanced double neck guitar and bass hybrids.

Materials and kit components

The kits include kiln-dried tonewoods, genuine bone nuts and selected hardware to provide a solid foundation. The company notes that upgrades can be added later, once the builder has become familiar with their instrument. Standout models in the catalogue include the DIY Double Neck ST Guitar & Bass Kit with mahogany body and maple or ebony fingerboard, the Electric Guitar DIY Kit PR890 with 24 frets, set neck, mahogany and quilted maple veneer, and the Electric Guitar DIY Kit TL60 with ash body, flamed maple veneer and ebony fingerboard.

Veneer selection and test samples

For veneered kits such as spalted maple, flamed maple or quilted maple, the company offers an optional body-selection service. The customer must contact before purchase; once requested, Coban Guitars sends photos of three bodies from current stock so they can choose their preferred one. This service is only provided on request, as veneer patterns vary and availability changes daily.

In addition, every veneered kit includes a free matching veneer sample to test stains, bursts and finishing techniques before working on the actual body. If a larger piece is needed for a matching headstock veneer, the company states it will try to accommodate.

Accessories and spare parts

The accessories catalogue includes Telecaster pickguards in brown turtle, red turtle, green pearl, black pearl, grey pearl and red pearl finishes, as well as 11-hole ST Strat SSS pickguard sets for Stratocaster in grey pearl, red turtle, red pearl and green pearl finishes. Guitar necks only, bone nuts, strings, capos and clearance items are also offered, such as a batch of four 4-string bass necks.

Builder support and shipping

Every kit includes a 16-page full-colour instruction manual, and the company's team offers real-time help by phone or text message, for both first-time and experienced builders. The company highlights that orders are shipped with tracking and that most mainland UK orders arrive the next day, with no import fees or long waits.