Time for another project for this ADD guy. 20+ years ago, I made an acoustic guitar from scratch as a project for school. 20 years ago, I also made an electric guitar for a school project. The electric was supposed to mimic a Gibson SG, but came out way too thick. It also ways a bit more than the traditional Les Paul.
Live and learn. I still play the electric, but it has its issues, minor, but there. I have been wanting to make another electric for years and now is the time....
Thanks to one of the guys on this board, I have some nice plans for the replica, as well as a set I bought online. While I don't expect this copy to pass as a true '59, I would like to make a good copy. I'm already starting off a little on the wrong foot, as the piece of mahogany I bought today is not the correct width and I will have to join two pieces together to make the width. The LP is made from one piece of mahogany. I went this route as Honduras mahogany is harder to come by these days, due to deforestation. Aesthetically, looking at the back of the guitar, one will see the seam, but as far as tonality, I think it should have a minor impact. If someone wants to correct me on that, please do, as the wood will be cut up next week...
Other than the electronics, the only thing that I will not be doing on this project, is cutting the fret grooves. I can order a fingerboard blank and cut it myself, but for $5 more, I can get one that was cut using a jig. A small sacrifice I am willing to live with.
Tonight, I will be putting the list together and possibly buying a few more items for the build online, such as the neck stock, also mahogany, the rosewood fingerboard and some of the electronics. I have spoken to Wolfe and he will be making the custom humbuckers for me in the coming months. I have yet to source the right curly maple top. This will be book matched top, like most LP's.
I will be taking pictures of the build process and updating this thread, so follow along if you'd like.
Any tips or suggestions are welcome.