LP Scratch build

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telentubes
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LP Scratch build

Post by telentubes »

Decided to build a "59" LP copy. Not entirely accurate in a few material choices, but I'm not after a clone. I wanted to use materials and joinery that would give me the best shot at a good sounding guitar. Here are the bullet points...

Bought a set of "59" plans, and a set of templates from Bartlett Guitars in Canada.
Found a light piece of quarter sawn Honduran Mahogany for the body and neck.
Had a piece of eastern curly maple in my stash that I could book match and use for the "top".
Used hide glue for all wood joints with the exception of the maple truss rod filler, where I used Titebond.
I flanked the adjustable truss rod with 1/8 X 3/8 carbon fiber rod, and glued them in with epoxy.
I had a piece of Brazilian Rosewood which I used for the fingerboard. The inlays are MOP.
The headstock veneer is ebony.
The scale length is 24 3/4 inches, not the 24.562" scale that Gibson actually uses.

To prepare for this, I looked at a bunch of guitars at Guitar Center, and searched around on-line, read that LONG post on one of the Les Paul Forums about building a '59 (which was actually very informative), and watched many Youtube clips of folks building electric guitars. Then, as Frank would say, I did it my way.

I took a fair amount of pictures, which I have edited to a minimum. I'll post as I make progress.
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Last edited by telentubes on Fri Oct 24, 2014 7:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
telentubes
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by telentubes »

Body glued with hide glue, and cavities routed using templates. Body partially shaped ready for "neck plane" routing.
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telentubes
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by telentubes »

Neck plane, and neck mortise routed, then the top was rough carved.
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telentubes
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by telentubes »

Fingerboard slotted and inlaid. I used a 24 3/4 inch scale length, not the 24 1/2 that Gibson uses.
The PARTS so far.
Starting the neck.
That's it for now.
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katopan
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by katopan »

Really looking forward to seeing this come together. Love seeing photos of how people go about a guitar build.

One day, one day....
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ampmike
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Awesome

Post by ampmike »

That is excellent.This cant be your first build??I imagine a LP to be a difficult build,Cant wait to see the rest,Thanks for sharring,Mikey
Custom Built Amps for Sale!http://faithamps.weebly.com/
telentubes
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by telentubes »

No, not my first build, but there is a lot going on in these things, making the project very time consuming. I made jigs for some of the steps, which would save time if I were to build another one (probably won't), but you're still left with lots of hand work. Carving the top took some time, and it's only roughed in at this point. Still a ways to go. It's been fun learning about how an LP is put together.
vibratoking
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by vibratoking »

I am totally impressed. That's one helluva project.
Electronic equipment is designed using facts and mathematics, not opinion and dogma.
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Phil_S
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by Phil_S »

Wow! This is jaw dropping great work.
I'm curious, there is the picture of the control cavities, the one with the router laying on it's side. If I understand correctly, that is the back. What are those 4 small square/rectangle holes for? How will you cover or close them?
John_P_WI
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by John_P_WI »

Phil, you are seeing the template on top of the hog slab.
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JoeCon
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by JoeCon »

Fantastic!!
You guys here can build anything....
In theory, theory is the same as practice. In practice it's different.
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M Fowler
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by M Fowler »

I'm so impressed with you and others that can build guitars like this.

I can't even cut a straight jig, and then have to do detailed work like this, nice. :)

Mark
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ampmike
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Wow

Post by ampmike »

Me very impressed,making jigs can take longer than the job your going to use them on.your guitar is looking real nice,great thread.Cant wait to see more,Mikey
Custom Built Amps for Sale!http://faithamps.weebly.com/
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Phil_S
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by Phil_S »

John_P_WI wrote:Phil, you are seeing the template on top of the hog slab.
:oops: I gotta get my eyes checked!
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Cantplay
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Re: LP Scratch build

Post by Cantplay »

I see a couple inbetween steps left out in the photos of carving the top.

I'd like to see what you used for the concave portion at the edge, anc how you got it so consistant.

John
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