1959 2013 LP Build

[vanhalen5150]

So thats where I am after yesterday. Here is a few shots in natural light. Really picks up where you need to work on. Shows a lot of places that still need work. I'm in my basement so the light is coming in at a very low angle. Thats the trick I think. It makes the slightest none conformity show. Some of the really odd marks is actually the flame starting to show now the body is getting smoother and the lines are being matched in a continuous pattern . Hard to believe the originals where all done by hand with a belt a disc sander. That is why no 2 are the same.

The PU holes look distorted but, from the top at 4.4 degrees they look perfect! Routing down into the carved top does this illusion. You dont see them anyways, but I think its cool......

I havent touched the outside edge at all. You need to wait until the binding is added, trimmed. You then can scrap/sand in the outside edge downward recurve.

Perhaps I'll get the binding done today.

Just one more death defying thing to do in the control cavity.... This one I havent done before...I'm putting it off.

BBQ and beer on the list as well.

[jimmyride]

Awesome man !!

[vanhalen5150]

Awesome man !!

Thanks. I'm considered a hack until I make 5 of them by the other LP forum builders . I'm just hiding this on the Metro amp forum so I dont get critics. My amps get critics enough here.

I'm spending a lot of time making jigs on this one and rethinking easier ways to do things. I'm also working on a simple jig to do the truss channel without a table saw.

I was thinking about what you asked me regarding the spindle sander. Really... if you have top and a bottom router bearing bits, you could get those perfect 90 degree angles you need on the initial mahogany part. I'll give it a try on some scrap. I see everyone cuts out the mahogany and then sands down to the line. Why not just rough cut to about 1/8" of the line , then route it from the template with a top bearing bit, then remove the template, flip the piece over and use a bottom bearing bit up against the part you just routed? In fact it would be perfect to the template. Not sure why nobody does that? I'll ask Tom B. perhaps regarding such. You wouldn't need the spindle sander, just a sanding block at that point.Seems legit to me.......

Getting the perfect 90 on that mahog is what sets up everything else.

[JimiJames]

...I'm considered a hack until I make 5 of them by the other LP forum builders . I'm just hiding this on the Metro amp forum so I dont get critics.

The one your making me makes 2, no?

Are you doing modern or vintage binding ? (by the horn) I forgot... is that why you left the top thicker?

Speaking of hacking...did you step out in your backyard and kill yerself a Moose yet, for that shin-bone nut?

[vanhalen5150]

...I'm considered a hack until I make 5 of them by the other LP forum builders . I'm just hiding this on the Metro amp forum so I dont get critics.

The one your making me makes 2, no?

Are you doing modern or vintage binding ? (by the horn) I forgot... is that why you left the top thicker?

Speaking of hacking...did you step out in your backyard and kill yerself a Moose yet, for that shin-bone nut?

I'm doing vintage binding with the real Royalite I got from Bartlett. The top is pretty much standard thickness, its just the curvy 59 curves that make the difference. Yeah, got some unbleached moose for the nut. This one makes 2, but this one is turning out better, cause I'm taking different construction paths.

[jimmyride]

Good idea. I'll try it as well. I just need to raise some cash by selling my Tokai strat. Then I'll get some tools and practice on some cheap wood. I was ready to use my table drill as a sander for this. Your new idea seems better. But I guess I'll need really good router bit for that.

Awesome man !!

Thanks. I'm considered a hack until I make 5 of them by the other LP forum builders . I'm just hiding this on the Metro amp forum so I dont get critics. My amps get critics enough here.
I'm spending a lot of time making jigs on this one and rethinking easier ways to do things. I'm also working on a simple jig to do the truss channel without a table saw.

I was thinking about what you asked me regarding the spindle sander. Really... if you have top and a bottom router bearing bits, you could get those perfect 90 degree angles you need on the initial mahogany part. I'll give it a try on some scrap. I see everyone cuts out the mahogany and then sands down to the line. Why not just rough cut to about 1/8" of the line , then route it from the template with a top bearing bit, then remove the template, flip the piece over and use a bottom bearing bit up against the part you just routed? In fact it would be perfect to the template. Not sure why nobody does that? I'll ask Tom B. perhaps regarding such. You wouldn't need the spindle sander, just a sanding block at that point.Seems legit to me.......

Getting the perfect 90 on that mahog is what sets up everything else.

[6burgh]

I'm catching a new bug... My wife is not going to be happy. Looking awesome!

[vanhalen5150]

I'm catching a new bug... My wife is not going to be happy. Looking awesome!

I'm not married. I'm a free man.

[Tone Slinger]

Ha, Ha
Are you gonna go with a '59ish type burst ? I like that '73-'79 Tobacco burst like on that Deluxe that MacDougal is holding there. Frehley also had that type burst.

[vanhalen5150]

I'm thinking a faded cherry burst. The UV index is high here in mid May so I'm shooting for that window to do the finish. Yes, I'm using science here.

This is what I'm going for.

[somethin'else]

Dammit, not married but she's one helluva' dish! I'd say outstanding!

Good science Shannon! That's the perfect washed cherry (my all-time Standard fave).
Are you / have you tested Bartlett's color mix theory, or talked to him about how he get that fade down?
I know a happy mistake can become a secret recipe... it's gonna be cool to see that!
And you're right on schedule for it.

[somethin'else]

Another great burst is the Bourbon Burst, not seen on LPs, but some boutique builders. Stronger mix of ice tea & lemon, but with some bourbon.

Tequila Sunrise
Whiskey Soak
Long Island Ice Tea

thirsty now...

[vanhalen5150]

Dammit, not married but she's one helluva' dish! I'd say outstanding!

Good science Shannon! That's the perfect washed cherry (my all-time Standard fave).
Are you / have you tested Bartlett's color mix theory, or talked to him about how he get that fade down?
I know a happy mistake can become a secret recipe... it's gonna be cool to see that!
And you're right on schedule for it.

Yeah, I've talked to Tom about the fade process. It's the alanine dyes used. They fade very quickly in uv light. Bursts that have little fade have been kept in a case I think. 6-8 hours of high uv light does quite the fade apparently. I guess I could stick it in one of those tanning beds.

[vanhalen5150]

Started the binding. Using the original Royalite. Very difficult to work with. I heated a bit. Still fought with it as you'll see.

I heat the horn part of the binding first, and work the shape a little befor eI glue. There is a compound curve here that goes in 2 directions. It curves around while it raises and lowers at the same time. You dont want to overheat the binding jere as it will stretch out and look thin as you go around the horn.

When I get to the first curve, I bring the binding all the way around to the other side and tape. 3rd photo. I then just heat it a little while its on the body to retain the shape.

Overall it came out pretty good. I think one gets better with binding the more you do it. I'd use a slower glue than the stuff I used though.

[vanhalen5150]

.