Ashthorpe 39-Inch Electric Guitar Kit — Full-Size Starter Guitar

Intro

The Ashthorpe 39-inch electric guitar kit is a bundled, full-size solid-body instrument aimed squarely at beginners and budget-conscious hobbyists. The listing describes a 39-inch scale full-size guitar with S-S-S (three single-coil) pickups, an adjustable tremolo bridge, three controls (two tone, one volume) and a 5-way pickup selector — plus a 15mm padded gig bag and a handful of accessories. Owner feedback (many buyers) paints a picture of a playable, good-looking instrument that often benefits from a basic setup and a few small upgrades. If you’re shopping for a first electric guitar or a low-cost backup, this is a practical candidate — with a few predictable caveats.

What it is / first look

On paper and out of the box this is a complete starter package: a full-size, 39-inch solid-body electric guitar constructed with a poplar body, maple neck, and a mahogany fretboard. The pickup configuration is S-S-S (three single-coils), the bridge system is listed as a tremolo, and the guitar comes right-handed. The listing calls out 22 nickel frets and a c-shaped maple neck profile with a truss rod. The kit includes a premium 15mm padded soft gig bag, an extra set of strings, a cable, a shoulder strap, polishing cloth, and three celluloid picks.

Dimensions and handling are straightforward — the item weight is listed at 7.3 pounds and the string nut width is 1.65 inches. The manufacturer provides a 90-day limited warranty.

Who this is a good gift for

This section is practical and specific — pick one of these recipient types and read the assumptions beneath each item before you buy.

The curious beginner (teen or adult)

Why it fits: the kit includes just about everything a beginner needs to start learning: the full-size 39-inch guitar, an amp cable (noted in the bundle), extra strings, picks, strap and a padded gig bag. Assumption: the recipient is willing to either do a basic setup or accept a short trip to a local tech for intonation/action adjustments — owners repeatedly report the guitar benefits from a setup.

The student who needs a practice instrument for dorm/home

Why it fits: full-size scale length and a lightweight 7.3-pound body make this usable for evenings of practice, and the padded gig bag gives basic transport protection. Assumption: the player wants an affordable instrument to learn on rather than a premium, stage-ready guitar.

The tinkerer/modder who wants a cheap platform

Why it fits: several owners describe upgrading the nut, bridge block, strings or pickups — making the Ashthorpe a low-cost platform for mods. Assumption: the recipient enjoys DIY adjustments or has the skills to swap a nut, change strings to different gauges, or tweak electronic parts.

A gift for a parent buying for a child/young teen

Why it fits: one owner specifically said this worked well for an 11-year-old learning to play. Assumption: the child is near a size that fits a full-size guitar or will adapt to the 39-inch scale; otherwise consider a smaller-size instrument.

A casual backup or travel guitar for someone who already plays

Why it fits: owners who already have multiple guitars used the Ashthorpe as a low-cost spare or for experimenting with different setups. Assumption: the recipient is not expecting a museum-grade instrument and is comfortable swapping factory parts if desired.

In daily use

Owners describe the day-to-day experience as perfectly serviceable for practice, jamming, and casual use — with the caveat that a small amount of tuning and setup work tends to improve playability substantially.

How it feels to play

The listing emphasizes a fast, slim maple neck with a c-shaped profile and 22 nickel frets. Multiple owners say the neck is comfortable and the guitar is playable after a tuning and minor adjustments. Reported action after minor setup drops from a higher factory action to a more comfortable playing height, and bright single-coil pickups give the expected range from clean to biting tones using the 5-way selector plus two tone controls and a volume control.

Out-of-box readiness

The pattern in owner feedback is consistent: some guitars arrive very playable, others need fret-end dressing, a truss rod tweak, bridge/intonation adjustment, and fresh strings. One experienced buyer estimated that, for a perfect setup, additional costs of $100–$200 could be required if you pay a tech to fully set it up — though many owners found the guitar usable with simpler, inexpensive adjustments. Several owners specifically replaced the factory strings and the patch cable early on.

Accessories and gig bag

Owners repeatedly praise the included padded gig bag; some said it was better than gig bags they’d owned separately. The kit’s extra strings and picks are useful stopgaps, but many owners recommend upgrading the factory strings to better-quality sets soon after purchase. A few buyers noted the included strap is thin and can dig into the shoulder on longer playing sessions.

Materials & build quality

Base materials are listed by the manufacturer: a poplar solid body, maple neck, and a mahogany fretboard. Strings are described as alloy steel. Those are listing facts — owners add texture on quality.

What the listing says

• Body Material: Poplar (contoured solid poplar body).
• Neck Material: Maple (c-shaped profile) with a truss rod.
• Fretboard Material: Mahogany.
• Pickup configuration: S-S-S (three single-coil pickups) with a 5-way selector.
• Bridge: Tremolo system (adjustable bridge set) and tremolo (whammy) bar.

What owners report

• Finish and cosmetics: many owners praise the high-gloss finish and overall look; some report minor cosmetic imperfections (small dents or scratches) on a subset of deliveries.
• Frets and setup: owners commonly report some rough fret ends or slightly high action out of the box that a fret dressing or basic setup smooths out. A minority of owners with more experience recommend a setup for comfort and intonation.
• Hardware fit: several owners found loose screws or slightly misaligned access covers on arrival and advise checking/retightening every fastener. Tuners were described as a bit gritty by some owners but generally functional.
• Factory parts: factory strings and the amp cable included in the kit are often described as low quality and early candidates for replacement.

Safety considerations

Safety and reliability are front-and-center for Gift Finder Dude. Here are the practical safety notes that show up in the listing or owner feedback.

• Right-hand only: the listing specifies the instrument is right-hand orientation. If your recipient plays left-handed, this is not the right pickup.
• Check fasteners: owners repeatedly found loose screws on tuners, pickguard, jack or back access plates. The repeated advice is to check every nut and screw and gently tighten as needed before regular use.
• Fret ends and sharpness: a recurring owner note is that fret ends can be rough. That’s a playability and minor safety annoyance (sharp fret ends can scratch skin); a simple fret-end filing/polish by a tech or a careful DIYer typically resolves it.
• Strap comfort: the included strap is thin and several owners said it can dig into the shoulder, especially for younger players. Consider upgrading the strap for long practice sessions.
• Electronics and cable reliability: some owners reported an amp cable that worked intermittently or failed at certain angles. That’s an annoyance more than a hazard, but it affects usability and may require replacing the included cable early on.
• Manufacturer warranty: a 90-day limited manufacturer warranty is listed; review the current listing/manufacturer documentation for coverage details and claim instructions.

Who should skip it

• If you need a left-handed guitar — the listing lists only a right-hand orientation.
• If the recipient wants a stage-ready, premium instrument straight from the box — owners warn that a full professional-level setup and higher-grade hardware are not included.
• If you don’t want to deal with any setup or small repairs — this model will very likely benefit from tuning, fastener checks, and possibly fret or intonation adjustments.
• If you’re buying for a very small child who needs a 3/4 or short-scale instrument — this is a full-size 39-inch guitar and may be unwieldy for smaller players.

Verdict

For an affordable full-size electric guitar kit, the Ashthorpe 39-inch package hits the right notes for beginner players, dorm-room practice, or a tinkerer’s platform. The listing’s material specs — poplar body, maple neck, mahogany fretboard, alloy steel strings, and S-S-S pickups — match the expected entry-level spec sheet. Owner feedback repeatedly praises the finish, overall playability, and the unusually good padded gig bag, while also flagging predictable low-cost tradeoffs: the factory strings and cable are weak, some instruments arrive with cosmetic damage or loose hardware, and many guitars benefit from a modest setup to get the action and intonation comfortable.

The kit leans into being a practical, affordable starter instrument rather than a plug-and-play pro instrument. If your gift recipient is a beginner, a student, or a hobbyist who doesn’t expect premium hardware, this is a useful, money-smart pick — especially if you or the player are comfortable doing a basic setup or willing to pay a small bit extra for a pro setup. If you need a museum-grade instrument or a left-handed guitar, look elsewhere.

Check before you buy

• Check orientation: the guitar is listed as right-hand only.
• Confirm the full-size fit: scale length is listed as 39 inches.
• Plan for a setup: owners often recommend a basic setup (nut, action, intonation, fret dressing) for best playability.
• Inspect fasteners and hardware on arrival: some buyers reported loose screws, so check tuners, jack and pickguard screws right away.
• Consider swapping the factory strings and cable early for better sound and reliability.
• Warranty: note the 90-day limited manufacturer warranty and review current manufacturer documentation for coverage details.

FAQ

• Question: Is this a full-size guitar or a short-scale model?
  Answer: The listing identifies it as a full-size 39-inch electric guitar with a 39-inch scale length.
• Question: Does the kit include a case or gig bag?
  Answer: Yes. The bundle includes a premium 15mm padded soft gig bag (backpack-style) listed as part of the complete kit.
• Question: What woods and materials are used in the build?
  Answer: The listing states the body and top material are poplar wood, the neck is maple, and the fretboard is mahogany; strings are listed as alloy steel.
• Question: Is it right- or left-handed?
  Answer: The product is listed as right-hand orientation.
• Question: Does it come ready to play out of the box?
  Answer: The listing presents it as suitable for beginners and intermediate players, but owner feedback repeatedly notes many units benefit from a basic setup (action, intonation, fret dressing) and string/cable replacements for best playability.
• Question: What kind of pickups and electronics does it have?
  Answer: The listing specifies S-S-S (three single-coil) pickups with a 5-way selector switch, two tone controls and one volume control.
• Question: What warranty is included?
  Answer: The listing notes a 90-day limited manufacturer warranty.

Practical gifting notes

Presentation: the listing does not promise premium packaging or an upscale case beyond the included padded gig bag. If this is a gift, consider adding a proper hard case or a nicer strap and a set of quality strings to make the recipient’s first playing sessions more comfortable and reliable.

Gifting risk: the biggest buying risk is the predictable tradeoff of price for factory setup and accessory quality — many owners reported loose screws, rough fret ends, and low-grade strings/cable. Those are fixable but do impose either a little DIY time or a small extra expense for a pro setup. If you want a worry-free, high-end out-of-box experience, this is not the instrument to choose.

Best gift fit: buy this as a practical, value-first present for a beginner, a student in a dorm, or a hobbyist who likes to tinker. Consider pairing the guitar with a setup voucher from a local shop or a bundle that includes a higher-quality cable, strap and fresh strings to reduce the immediate post-unboxing chores.