Handbuilt Les Paul Custom Incoming...

[GuitarIV]

So, this has been almost 3 years in the making. Damned Corona, Inflation and War.

Finally I can see it becoming real. Seeing my luthier this coming Wednesday to try out the neck profile and discuss further details.

Stoked!

 

[JeffMcLeod]

Man, that body alone looks like it weighs 15 pounds, lol.

 

[aikiguy]

That’s gonna be a pretty nice looking top!

 

[KraftyBob]

I’m sure it will look great. Curious as to why the body is layered?

Congrats and good luck!

 

[GuitarIV]

Man, that body alone looks like it weighs 15 pounds, lol.

He told me his LPs usually weigh around 8-9 pounds, he uses Honduran Mahogany

I’m sure it will look great. Curious as to why the body is layered?

Congrats and good luck!

The last picture is not the actual body, it's a guide for the CNC router bit to roughly carve the top of the actual guitar. This is how it looks right now:



The rest will be carved by hand

I'll post some more updates Wednesday night! Cheers

 

[Sustainium]

Can’t say I’ve seen a better top, Slasher says tiger burst finish would do it justice.

 

[Mitchell Pearrow]

Really cool to see the progress so far
Thanks for sharing the update.

Mitch

 

[KraftyBob]

The last picture is not the actual body, it's a guide for the CNC router bit to roughly carve the top of the actual guitar. This is how it looks right now:

Silly me That's going to look real nice!

 

[paul-e-mann]

3 years??? He should have had it built in 3 weeks, he must have had a heck of a back log!

 

[GuitarIV]

Can’t say I’ve seen a better top, Slasher says tiger burst finish would do it justice.

We're still gonna decide on the finish, but right now the bengal burst is the inspiration:

3 years??? He should have had it built in 3 weeks, he must have had a heck of a back log!

Yes, not only did he have a back log, but the whole Covid mess and a few other circumstances beyond his control delayed the guitar. I'm happy it's becoming a reality. Finally!

More pictures coming tomorrow

 

[AndyD]

I’m sure it will be worth the wait. Looks stunning. Anything under 9lbs for a Les Paul will be amazing to play!

 

[GuitarIV]

I’m sure it will be worth the wait. Looks stunning. Anything under 9lbs for a Les Paul will be amazing to play!

I arrived at his workshop today, picked up the non chambered body including the top and couldn't believe how light it was! He told me he picked a nice and light piece of Honduran Mahogany, the finished guitar will weigh under 9 pounds and there was no need to make it any lighter by chambering it. I knocked on the body and it all sounded clear and resonant with no dead spots. That's one solid piece of wood


Here are some pictures from the workshop today:



In some of the pictures you can see wet parts of the wood compared to the dry look, he took some naphta and went over the body to make the grain pop. It looks even better in person than in the pictures. The flame is really 3D as soon as you move it in the light.

We discussed the neck profile today (I brought my 75th Anniversary Telecaster along as I love the neck on that guitar and he's gonna model the LP profile similarly), went over some details and the next step now is to build the neck and the fretboard, put everything together, then I'll come over and try it out, see if I like the neck, if not he'll shave it down a bit more till it fits my needs and then we'll be discussing the electronics, hardware and the paintjob.


I couldn't stop smiling today. I think I'm slowly realizing this is actually happening. I almost forgot in all this time that passed by.


I'll keep ya posted. This is gonna be good!

 

[El Gringo]

We're still gonna decide on the finish, but right now the bengal burst is the inspiration:

Yes, not only did he have a back log, but the whole Covid mess and a few other circumstances beyond his control delayed the guitar. I'm happy it's becoming a reality. Finally!

More pictures coming tomorrow

I vote for the Bengal burst finish as that is HOT !

 

[Freddy G]

Very exciting! Looks good....and looks like he used UF glue for the maple cap. Score points for that!

 

[Mike_LA]

Yup. Your existing LP is going deep in the closet......

 

[mAx___]

Looking great! Personally, I'd add a pickguard as it looks unfinished to me without it.

 

[Derrick111]

Hand built as opposed to what?