Mountain Biking - Thinking of building a rig

I'm contemplating putting my own bike together for the first time. With winter coming, I need a project to keep me busy while the snow is on the ground. I'm getting back into serious riding after about five years off. Instead of picking a mass produced bike off the rack, I'd thought I might try to go the custom frame route and have some fun with it. Does anyone have any suggestions? I guess I'm looking for some guidance (go for it, don't even think about it, that kind of thing). I've been doing some research on frame builders, but recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I don't know too much, but I have seen alot(well, not alot but quite a few for custom bikes) of Seven brand bikes around here and I have seen a few people on this site recommend Strong and Soulcraft.

I think it's those two, not sure. If I'm wrong, sorry.

hmm just a question, you looking for hardtail or full suspension? if hardtail, and doin dj n stuff like that, take urself over to the kona cowan frame! im not rly all that up-to beat with full suspension and XC but im all up for freeride/Dj help!

I'm sticking with a hardtail. A lot of the riding around here involves sand. I don't have any experience with full suspension either, but I've heard that they're not as stable as hardtails.

In the rough stuff they are more stable. While your rear end is chattering around a corner (your legs work much harder in technical sections of a trail) my suspension takes the small bumps and keeps the wheel on the ground, I can also pedal quickly through rough stuff generally better than a ht rider (although some really skilled ht riders have very few issues).

Although for the riding you are doing a ht should be more than enough.