1959 2013 LP Build

[vanhalen5150]

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[vanhalen5150]

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[vanhalen5150]

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[somethin'else]

nice surgery on that horn. did you melt down shavings and glue in?
mmm, das' sexy. shows how simple and classy single binding is!
that's the stuff.


on the dyes, I understand about the uv, but did you get any tips on the mix, ie blue or brown with the red to end up where you want to? the color science has me going . . .

[vanhalen5150]

I have 2 boards to choose from. I think I'll use the lighter one. Im now up to about 220 grit on the top. You can really start to see the flame fiqure starting to come out.

[vanhalen5150]

nice surgery on that horn. did you melt down shavings and glue in?
mmm, das' sexy. shows how simple and classy single binding is!
that's the stuff.


on the dyes, I understand about the uv, but did you get any tips on the mix, ie blue or brown with the red to end up where you want to? the color science has me going . . .

Yeah, I mix the binding shavings with a little acetone and fill it in. You have to scrap and sand a few times as it shrinks when it cures and blends flawless with the binding. You need to let it cure overnight though. I can still see a few lines there but I think I leave it as is.

Yeah, I have the recipe for the dyes and colours. There is a bit of trial and error to get just exactly what you want, but thats the fun I think. The nitro gets mixed with a little alcohol and acetone with the alanine dyes.

[vanhalen5150]

I used gel super glue for the binding. I think I would use something that sets slower next time. You have only a few seconds to pull the trigger as you go around. And there is hardly any glue in those bottles!!! I used 2 bottles just to do this.... Thats about $12 to glue the binding. No wonder repair guys charge so much.

[vanhalen5150]

Looking at the photo's I think that if I had trimmed the binding (top) at where the inside horn drops down a little closer to the 6mm channel routing, it would have been much easier to navigate around there. The height of the binding there makes it tough to curve and drop down at the same time. Next build.

[rgorke]

Both of those fingerboards look great. Not sure which I would pick. The lighter one has more character but the dark one looks awesome.

[JimiJames]

Darker has a more vintage ebony look and would look even better if it was for Custom's, but I think the lighter is better knowing it's for a '59 w/burst...
As an option, my Cousin stained his 1960 Classic model fretboard because it was just too light for a GoldTop. I have to admit, looks great! Didn't know they sellor did that for fretboards, but why not, makes sense...

...fine job yer doin' there... Who else is helping you there ? Jack ? Buddy Wieser, Stella ? It's Stella isn't it ? ... S t e l l a !

[vanhalen5150]

Darker has a more vintage ebony look and would look even better if it was for Custom's, but I think the lighter is better knowing it's for a '59 w/burst...
As an option, my Cousin stained his 1960 Classic model fretboard because it was just too light for a GoldTop. I have to admit, looks great! Didn't know they sellor did that for fretboards, but why not, makes sense...

...fine job yer doin' there... Who else is helping you there ? Jack ? Buddy Wieser, Stella ? It's Stella isn't it ? ... S t e l l a !

Stella on tap is awesome I think.

[JimiJames]

You miss-spelled top...

[6burgh]

mmmmm.... talk of beer. I just put in for some newcastle to go in my kegerator. I'll be putting together a custom HSS strat to newcastle! And JJ, I just put in for woodward A3's from Wade, can't wait.

This build is looking awesome... so can't wait to start one. Did you source all of your blanks from StewMac? I suppose I could get started on the templates and the jigs. Tons to do there!

I'm rooting for this build

[vanhalen5150]

Beer is awesome when building. Yeah, use the African body and Sipo neck blank. Cheaper than the Honduras and considered by some to be what was used in the late 50's by Gibson. I've found a local source for exotic hardwoods as well, but haven't checked them out yet.
I got the maple top pieces locally and the fret boards are StewMac.

[6burgh]

Are you slotting your own fretboards or getting them pre-cut? Sorry, I know... I'm getting ahead. I've just always wondered how they came from StewMac quality wise.