If you have a table saw, and a bit of experience running it, it's quite trivial to build a lang hive from 1-by lumber. I've enjoyed doing this about as much as having the bees. The best part, if you're able to do this kind of work... if you find a flaw or wish for an improvement, include the fix in your next build. I've been interested to build and try a top bar hive, but the langs are doing well enough, I'm not ready to make the jump. I'd think top bar would be easier to start if you had other hives to get resources from (new queen cells for example). I see issues with running my langs, but generally like them. As a suggestion since you are just starting out, keep to all mediums. I'm sure others here will disagree with this, but I'm certain (for me) this is the way to go. All equipment is interchangable, no issues moving boxes up or down in the stack, etc. It just gives more options. Once you are up and running, it should be a simple matter to produce your own 'package' of bees to try the TBH again.