Buying the kit isn't essential, but I'd recommend signing up for the courses. I built my acoustic without a kit, but couldn't have done it without following Mark's step by step instruction. Show us some photos of your old parlour guitar and what needs done to it, I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice here.

i have been playing acoustic for 7 months and have AWFUL GAS so much ahead of my playing skill set, BUT for me the journey of the entire subject is integral to my playing journey and go hand in hand.

my ear quality has far surpassed my playing and I hear the differences between all the tone wood choices one has today.

I’ve also started to collect oddities, my latest being a German Parlour from around the late 1940’s era that while not of great quality, it’s had some stories to tell.

it needs a fair bit of work all of which intend to do myself, however I don’t want to ruin 70 years of history with poor workmanship.

so I have considered buying an acoustic build kit to practice on, but £500 seems a bit steep for my first attempt at building a kit, I appreciate cost will come into buying the required tools also.

so I will be looking for advice and hope this forum can help me in my quest .

thanks all

simon