Turned an old les paul build into a different les paul

Danielsguitars

I built a les paul replica a few years ago but it wasn't correct, i didn't like my carve either so i left it until a few weeks ago
I decided i'd take it apart and make a les paul with my headstock on it
The mahogany back is well worth the effort, it's really old and spectacular, i've never seen anything like it and i don't think i ever will
We got it from the guy that brought it back in a trunk and it sat in his garage for 30 years, there were 2 planks and enough for 6 bodys each between me and my friend
Here's one i finished that my friend made so you know why i'm doing it, mine is the same as this one
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20150424_183453_zpsc8kxx4em.jpg

JookyChap

Wow, that is spectacular

Danielsguitars

Another reason why i did this is because it's got a brazilian board and really old neck that i'll save for a replica
Removed fretboard using a 200 watt light bulb
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/photos%20backup%20oct%202016%201427_zpsozj9dexd.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/photos%20backup%20oct%202016%201428_zpsar63nqyg.jpg

Danielsguitars

I steamed the neck out and removed the binding
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/photos%20backup%20oct%202016%201429_zpsm2dwstkh.jpg

Danielsguitars

I routed the top off and i'm left with the body, it's lovely, i chambered and lightened it and it weighs 4lb now
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/photos%20backup%20oct%202016%201430_zpsqkiqq7ap.jpg

Danielsguitars

A new top was put on and it was free, i made a nice old african mahogany neck up with vintage style truss rod
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/photos%20backup%20oct%202016%201482_zpsd3i4xijl.jpg

Danielsguitars

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/photos%20backup%20oct%202016%201483_zpsgg2bwibs.jpg
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/photos%20backup%20oct%202016%201484_zpsniefkt9u.jpg

Danielsguitars

I made an amazon rosewood board up and used philadelphia luthier inlays but shaped them more vintage style
quick mock up time to see what it'll look like
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161007_181429_zpscv8vfd1g.jpg
 

Danielsguitars

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161007_181336_zpsjy3aki9d.jpg

Danielsguitars

Everything was glued with hot hide glue so got it all together
I shaped the neck, vintage profile naturally
I used a rockinger compensated wraptail, looks different to mojo axe but works looks good and sounds good to me.
I just need to route the p90 cavitys then it's done and onto finishing, goldtop with natural back
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161012_135929_zpsvahuzvk8.jpg

CasperCaster

Enjoying this thread - this is looking truly lovely!

BigMonka

That looks really smart, I like your headstock shape too.

Danielsguitars

I finally got round to routing the p90 cavitys
This wasn't straight forward as it was an old build and I wanted to route on the neck angle so I made a template up for the carrier board so it can be used on the pin router 
I had an old template snd cut out the p90 cavity size using the centre line

I drew round up the p90 covers making sure the poepieces line up, it's easier to see if my cutters in the right place

I'll try and get the pics up

Danielsguitars

Here's the carrier board for the template, it's also used to angle the pickups on the neck plane so they sit under the strings properly
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161013_123904_zps1jxyufm9.jpg

Danielsguitars

The p90 cavitys are routed, they came out really good in the end, i left the old humbucker routes in the body, doesn't make any difference and it's mostly chambered anyway
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161014_141607_zpsd40qj6at.jpg

Danielsguitars

Here we are everything is fitted and it weighs 7.75lb, i am loving the tone and playability, the neck feels so right to me, it's still a vintage carve but a slightly softer v
It's on to finishing next
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161015_172417_zpssjyfu151.jpg  
 

Danielsguitars

The back is going to be great imo
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161014_183842_zpsipxh7dj2.jpg

Andyjr1515

It's looking great   It will be stunning when the finish is on

Danielsguitars

Thanks, can't wait myself now

Danielsguitars

Right i'm back to finishing my first goldtop, I don't have any reference for it other than the bronze powder
I used some 255 then 256 crescent bronze to see what that looks like
Here's the first coats on

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161028_131214_zpsndgrcbjq.jpg  

Danielsguitars

After a day of sapraying and scraping back the binding i have this now, the amber coats are going on later this week which should bring it all together
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w449/plexiblues/guitar%20kit%20stuff/20161028_170721_zpsupjfkb2g.jpg