Crusty Builds A Les Paul (How Not To Build A Guitar....)

[Zerberus]

VERY nice, Crusty... can´t wait to see the finished product

[The Dali]

Excellent thread. I like the backplate, and agree that the truss-rod cover should match. The neck looks great!

[DalyTek]

In my mind, i keep trying to merge those pics ... one with the finish and one with the hardware ... to see the end result. It doesn't really work, hehe.

What I am afraid of is that when she's complete, looking stunningly classy and pure, she's going to take one look at me and say "I can't possibly hang around on someone as shabby as you ... I'm leaving home !"

I couldn't help myself. Crusty, I hope you don't mind, but I did a quick Photoshop mockup of just that idea:

[d1dsj]

Oh man, it's superb.... awesome infact!

[Redmist]

This is quite an achievement man.

I'm especially impressed by that invisible repair from the wood back up, but the whole shebang is a work of art big lad

[crusty philtrum]

I couldn't help myself. Crusty, I hope you don't mind, but I did a quick Photoshop mockup of just that idea:

Maan, that is awesome !! Thank you so much. I am in awe of how you've done that.

I was also kind shocked to see it ... which is crazy as i had a concept from the start, but i'm so deep into actually trying to make it happen I've kinda lost sight of the big picture, i only see all the little stages and processes. It made me think about what it will be like when she's sitting here completed. I think i'll probably spend a week just coming to terms with the fact that she exists as an actual instrument, hahaha.

There are three little details that couldn't be captured in that pic ... i'd used chrome pickup covers because the gold ones hadn't arrived at the time, same for the tuner buttons, which will be keystone (tulip) shaped gold instead of the Schaller ones in the pic, and there will be some kind of truss-rod cover.

But wow, that pic has reminded me of what i'm actually making and i'm lost for words. Thanks again!

[DalyTek]

No problem. I am very impressed with your build, and have very much enjoyed reading the thread and watching it come to life in the pictures. Am happy that I could add to it in some small way. You're doing a fantastic job!

[eschoendorff]

That's pretty badass ,which... by extension, means that Crusty is also badass!

[ginormous]

My dear Mr. Philtrum, since the forum has expressed some well-deserved praise, I've been somewhat reticent.

However, the Photoshop picture has me anticipating this almost as much as if it were my guitar. Please keep us informed of your stunning progress.

I'd refrain from keeping this spectacular item in the garden; birds have a singular interest in practicing their fecal marksmanship.

[crusty philtrum]

My dear Mr. Philtrum, since the forum has expressed some well-deserved praise, I've been somewhat reticent.

However, the Photoshop picture has me anticipating this almost as much as if it were my guitar. Please keep us informed of your stunning progress.

I'd refrain from keeping this spectacular item in the garden; birds have a singular interest in practicing their fecal marksmanship.

Heheh, thanks Reggie. Maybe if you send a pic of yourself to DalyTek he can 'shop you into the pic ?

Birdie plop-plops are only one of the concerns in my 'garden' (which is actually more of an perpetual weed-generator) .... the road out the back is the heaviest-used truck road in this country, with 12-13 thousand trucks per day using it. Because of that, everything gets covered in a charming carcinogenic diesel-dust-filth. I've no doubt there's a little of it in the finish i worked so hard to achieve.

At the moment i'm busy filing two truss rod covers i've made using the same brass/copper i used for the control cavity cover .... one will have the copper on top, the other will have the brass on top. Hopefully i'll have pics of those posted here in a few hours.

[voggin]

when this thread is finished, it should be made to stick either in this forum or "tips and clips". Every time I read the new posts, I want to build a guitar. Awesome.

[ErikH]

when this thread is finished, it should be made to stick either in this forum or "tips and clips". Every time I read the new posts, I want to build a guitar. Awesome.

It'll belong in the Vault.

[crusty philtrum]

Here's the two truss rod covers, not quite finished but good enough to get an idea. One is copper over brass, the other is brass over copper. These are quite thick and i would probably need to use countersunk screws to attach them to the headstock. I'm even wondering whether to abandon the idea of the two layers of metal and make a thinner one just using the brass only.






One thing that's occured to me ... if i go with any variation of metal truss rod cover, the only plastic on the entire guitar will be the volume and tone knobs.

[Will S-T]

One thing that's occured to me ... if i go with any variation of metal truss rod cover, the only plastic on the entire guitar will be the volume and tone knobs.

Go on Neil, you know you WANT the polished brass Schaller knobs

[drpietrzak]

Go on Neil, you know you WANT the polished brass Schaller knobs

This looks good.

[erksin]

I just clicked on this for the first time - totally great project!

First - your ingenuity is insane. I've built guitar bodies from scratch, but have never attempted a carved top. Those jigs you made obviously did the job - IMO designing a proper jig is way harder than shaping the body itself. Fantastic.

Second - going all Mahogany for the body is pure win. Old school LP Customs are the best sounding LPs to me, so kudos.

Third - that Stella-inspired burst is ridiculously awesome. I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to finishes on classic designs and most 'non standard' colors on a LP make me want to puke but that just kills. It's a PERFECT burst to use on a Mahogany top - don't think I've ever seen it used on any mahogany electric until now. Bursting the peghead totally completes it - did you do the back too?

The only suggestions I'd make are totally my own preference, but this is what I'd go with hardware-wise:

Black plastic pickup rings and chrome covers on the pups

Chrome hardware to complete the Stella look - they never had gold parts on them, and IMO guitars without binding should have less bling on them

Black tophat-style reflector knobs with chrome inserts like you see on the '60s Gibsons

Optional one-ply white pickguard

Chrome truss cover

AND IT NEEDS YOUR NAME ON THE PEGHEAD - BE PROUD OF THAT THING!!!

[dr. ad]

These are quite thick and i would probably need to use countersunk screws to attach them to the headstock. I'm even wondering whether to abandon the idea of the two layers of metal and make a thinner one just using the brass only.

countersinking isn't difficult (especially compared to everything you've already done), and you'll look at it every time you tune...

[crusty philtrum]

countersinking isn't difficult (especially compared to everything you've already done), and you'll look at it every time you tune...

Yeah, i countersunk the holes for the control cavity cover. The problem might be finding short gold screws for the job though. The screws i bought for the job are the regular roundhead type as normally used on this style of guitar. I'll make a single-sheet brass cover and then make some kind of decision.

[GoldenVulture]

Here's the two truss rod covers, not quite finished but good enough to get an idea. One is copper over brass, the other is brass over copper. These are quite thick and i would probably need to use countersunk screws to attach them to the headstock. I'm even wondering whether to abandon the idea of the two layers of metal and make a thinner one just using the brass only.

Have you thought about gold plating one?

[drpietrzak]

I am sure you have seen this already (screws) ...

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware...xst=3&xsr=4472