spottydog Posted April 13, 2017 Report Share Posted April 13, 2017 Hi. I have built a couple of kit guitars and now I am starting on my first build from scratch. I am attempting to make a Les Paul style guitar using an old oak table top. I have started with the neck which is about half finished. It looks ok but not as good as I had hoped. There are a few mistakes on it. Also I read that you should fret the fretboard prior to fixing it to the neck which I have done and now wish I hadn't as it would have been easier without the frets in place. I'm not sure how I can sort this out. I guess I can always make a second neck. Watch this space ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted April 13, 2017 Report Share Posted April 13, 2017 Welcome to the forum! I think most of us believe it is easier to fret before attaching the neck, but it has been done plenty of times after attaching it. It means much more care is required - particularly during leveling, crowning and dressing - to keep from boogering up the body, especially on a single cut. Post up some pick and we'll try to help. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted April 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2017 Thanks ScottR. Have tried post pics but keeps saying files too big Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted April 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 Hi. When I started the build I made my patterns from hard board as I had some laid around. Next time I will use MDF as I have found that the board is much too soft when using it with a router with the bit tending to go where it wants rather than follow the pattern. A valuable lesson has been learned and also many others as I continue my Les Paul Jr build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted April 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 This is a pic of my neck so far. It has a flat spot in the middle the only way I can think of getting rid of it is to take out the frets sand and re fret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 What do you mean by a flat spot in the middle? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StratsRdivine Posted April 24, 2017 Report Share Posted April 24, 2017 Welcome to the forum - lots of great help here. Here is a hint on pictures - I always resize my pics to 1280 x 1920, and while doing so, I increase contrast a bit and then is saves as a medium resolution pic, and quick to upload. Cell phone cameras nowdays seem to default to insane high megapixel images for some stupid reason, so reset to low res as its default if you don't want to resize in other software. Whats the fingerboard radius? Those inlay dots look interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 Thanks for tips. Radius is 12 inches. The fingerboard cut rom a piece of oak using a bandsaw. The dots are sparkle I got off e bay Sorry took so long to reply my internet has been off. The guitar is now complete and I will post some pics shortly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 Here are some pics of the finished guitar it is a 59 Les Paul Jr. It was made entirely from an old round table top. The neck was made from strips cut down as was the fret board which was cut to thickness and sanded from an 18mm thick piece of table. All of the veneers for the headstock and the scratch plate were made in the same way as were the cavity covers. As it is all made from an old table top it is not a Les Paul but rather a "Tay Paul Jr. guitar". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 Now I have finished my Jr guitar I am starting my new project. A flying V style guitar from pallet wood if I can get hold of some old pallets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted June 22, 2017 Report Share Posted June 22, 2017 Go for it! How do you like this one plays and sounds? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 It sounds ok. More towards sounding bright like a telecaster, though the action is a little on the high side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 Has it inspired you to build more? Generally the first has a habit of doing that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 without a doubt Prostheta I learned a great deal from my first build so my next one will be much better. I hope to build most of my guitars from reclaimed/recycled wood if I can get hold of enough wood to build with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 23, 2017 Report Share Posted June 23, 2017 Sure thing. It'll be good seeing how your work progresses and where it all takes you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 I have now finished making my patterns from 8mm MDF. The half pattern is hardboard as it is only to use to mark the positions of the switches as I am now not fitting a scratch plate as per the plan I have. I have also made (Pattern without paper on middle of pic) a cavity cover pattern from two pieces of MDF glued together and cut larger than the cavity cut out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 29, 2017 Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 Are the edges flat and true? They looks pretty good as it stands. Templates should be as perfect as the guitar you're wanting to build, because every discrepancy telegraphs itself. Worth checking and double checking! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psikoT Posted June 29, 2017 Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 I usually make a pre-template in a 5mm kinda board (which I don't know the name in english, sorry),.. working on all the curves in a thinner material is much easier and faster. Then I make the final template from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 29, 2017 Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 That's the same method that @verhoevenc demonstrated so excellently in his site article and video. It makes more sense on many levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 Thanks for your comments. It does make more sense to make templates. I thought it was a waste of time but believe me it is not it is the best way to make a guitar. I have also been able to put the templates together to get a good idea of what the finished guitar will look like and how it will eventually go together when the separate parts are finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domino31 Posted July 4, 2017 Report Share Posted July 4, 2017 Looking great so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted August 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 Hi, Not much done on new guitar of late. I have been busy helping a friend to build new counters and fit out his new shop and have been making a bird table for my partners sister. I hope to get back to the guitar soon and will post an update as soon as I can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted August 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2017 Update on build. Have now joined and sanded boards flat and have joined two boards together to make body. On the bottom board I have routed out channels to run wires through for pick ups ect. Not shown on the pic but there is a lat both top and bottom across board to help keep it straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 22, 2017 Report Share Posted August 22, 2017 Are you making this Vee out of reclaimed pine boards? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted August 22, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2017 Hi ScottR. I am making it out of reclaimed pallet wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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