mistermikev Posted September 10, 2018 Report Share Posted September 10, 2018 the a.lee is looking great. how did you do that logo? is that wood burning I see there? also your rubber band toy - I thought that was real. very nice. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted September 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2018 Thanks! I did the logo by printing it out (Ink or Laser Jet), taping it over with clear tape and burnishing it for about 2 minutes. Then, cutting it to shape, and soaking in room temp water for about 5 mins. Use your fingers to rub off the paper and slide in place, get rid of the moisture with some tissues and let dry a bit. NOTE-I already had primer on. Then you just lacquer it over, lightly at first. Re: wood burning - No, just some discoloration that was already in that piece of wood. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted September 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 I've ordered the correct tuners and a pack of pup screws/springs, so while waiting, decided to tackle making the bone nut. I had prepared some bone cuts before, so here goes: 01-IMG_20180911_183501 by Goran P, on Flickr Cutting to size using the vise as the guide: 02-IMG_20180911_185259 by Goran P, on Flickr Flattened the facettes, and using the radius sander to rough in the radius: 03-IMG_20180912_192623 by Goran P, on Flickr 04-IMG_20180912_192703 by Goran P, on Flickr 05-IMG_20180912_193104 by Goran P, on Flickr 06-IMG_20180912_193113 by Goran P, on Flickr Then, I figured I need a tool to cut the nut slot, which was already marked with 2 fret saw cuts, so I decided to make a chisel from a nail. Initial bend in a vice: 07-IMG_20180912_193530 by Goran P, on Flickr Flattened with a hammer, cold, should harden the mild steel some: 09-IMG_20180912_194257 by Goran P, on Flickr Cut the angle with saw, and cleaned the sides with a file: 10-IMG_20180912_195233 by Goran P, on Flickr Cherry offcut for a handle, angled: 11-IMG_20180912_203022 by Goran P, on Flickr Poor pics due to lightning, but polished the sole and the cutting angle: 12-IMG_20180912_203113 by Goran P, on Flickr 13-IMG_20180912_203156 by Goran P, on Flickr Some 5-min epoxy later: 14-IMG_20180912_204236 by Goran P, on Flickr 15-IMG_20180912_204249 by Goran P, on Flickr I almost finished it last night, whittling the handle, but I want to sand it some more and dip it in oil. Tried it out, and works great for purpose intended Will post pics, now to fit the nut. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 you never cease to amaze me with your ingenuity Goran. Well done bro- seriously- I love how you have a need, then tackle it head on and come up with a homemade solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 2 hours ago, Mr Natural said: you never cease to amaze me with your ingenuity Goran. Well done bro- seriously- I love how you have a need, then tackle it head on and come up with a homemade solution. Ditto! You are seriously fun to watch. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted September 14, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2018 Thanks! This was a fun and quick project It was just an idea I got looking at my Stew-Mac rounding file. I did want a bigger handle, but the basic shape comes from there. I guess that it will get dull quickly, but it's a tool for this one job, so re-sharpening is not an issue. I've cut the channel roughly to make sure it works, still need to make sure that it's flat and level with a file. 1-IMG_20180914_074028 by Goran P, on Flickr I can't wait for the tuners and screws to come in, as I'd really like to hear it play! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted September 18, 2018 Report Share Posted September 18, 2018 Looking fantastic, very cool vibe to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted October 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2018 Thanks a lot! Finally, some pics form the painter's: Dyed black, with white binding: 1-IMG-20bb343d76cacb6c8154e7ea33c16462-V by Goran P, on Flickr 3-IMG-e5772b8a548096d131a527e9b3acd878-V by Goran P, on Flickr before final sanding: 2-IMG-46478b344bd490b7f8f6d418ac7ccab6-V by Goran P, on Flickr Don't know the details yet, just got the pics! Also finally, the tuners are on the headstock! I think we'll have a jam soon with both guitars present 1-IMG_20181018_174904 by Goran P, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted October 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2018 Just got some more pics! They came up with the whole solution, so I'm really looking forward to seeing it in person. My only input regarding the lacquering was for it to be thin and reasonably hard finish. I actually like the color scheme We'll have to come up with a good pickguard for it. The working plan was to laser cut it from an old LP with really bad music on it, and glue a cooler sticker instead, but this might call for a tortoise? 3-IMG-e90ae7110763de36f822781e3274c002-V by Goran P, on Flickr 2-IMG-1ff32e1ada336ebc87714394b0fdc26c-V by Goran P, on Flickr 1-IMG-5a2d18c1d34b43b3772761d8d68bc57a-V by Goran P, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted October 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2018 Assembly!!! The Alvin Lee just needs wiring and some strings now. I'll use some retainers too, but I'd like to place them when the strings are already on. Tele is still missing a pickguard, I need to do some preparations for laser, but it's coming along nicely. I will have to replace all 4 of the bridge screws, as they are......not that nice. Probably some stainless if i can get it in that size. 1-IMG_20181021_215151 by Goran P, on Flickr 2-IMG_20181022_075206 by Goran P, on Flickr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted October 22, 2018 Report Share Posted October 22, 2018 Very nice Goran! SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted October 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 Thanks! Sorry for the poor photo quality, but they're almost assembled, all at once: 1-IMG_20181028_152726 by Goran P, on Flickr I strung up the Alvin Lee, having some trouble with the volume pot, probably burned it (max volume), but it's a really hum-free guitar. I'll test it when I get some time, and still need to cut down a wrench to fit the small access cavity. Truss rod needs a turn, to straighten the neck, intonation is fine, so when I set up the action nice and low, I'll be really happy! Sounds really fendery Tele still misses the tuners and the strings, but I should get them today. This wiring, at least, gave me no trouble Nicer pics to follow! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted October 29, 2018 Report Share Posted October 29, 2018 That's a really nice pair, Goran. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Glad you like them! I'm really into this ALee, I shaped the neck after my favourite tele, and that went great. Also, the neck is oiled with true oil, so it has nice feel to it. Another poor pic: 1-IMG_20181030_071955 by Goran P, on Flickr I've tweaked the truss rod, set the bridge into a more-floating position, lowered the saddles some and set the intonation. I'll probably do it a few times more until it feels just right, but so far so good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted October 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 ...and done 2-IMG_20181030_212448 by Goran P, on Flickr 1-IMG_20181030_212421 by Goran P, on Flickr Now I can proceed with 2 others! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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