Angus89 Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Hellow I am in the process of of prepairing to buil a 59 les paul replica I have purchased a set of plans from stew mac and am puting money to the side to buy a set of templates from guitar building templates the only thing that I am not sure of is the carved top. The plans I bought show the top contour at certain points on the body but am just confused how to do it. I know theres a contour map on mimf of a 70's les paul and am wondering if anyone has a similar thing of a 59 or if someone who had a similar project had any any advice all help is much apreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperhead Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 i say your on your own there .just find a few tutorials on this web site and others i guess i dont know a real pattern to follow to create the genuine lp top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsilver Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Angus, Setch from this forum has a great tutorial on building a LP. Just search in the In Progress section under his name and you will find it. He also has a useful website you can find in his profile or signature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted May 27, 2007 Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 If you already have the plans, why do you need to purchase templates? Most likely, the two will be slightly different in a number of areas. Make your own templates from 3/4" sand-ply (also called birch ply) plywood, by photocopying specific parts of the templates and taping them down to the plywood, then cut & shape accordingly. It is great practice for the actual instrument, and if you goof....well, its just plywood and you can try again until you get it right. Templates make things go much easier, but if you already have plans there's no need to drop cash on templates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bainzy Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 (edited) You know the bit at the bottom middle of the plan where it has the top contours? Copy these lines onto MDF or Plywood (whatever your templates will be made from), and then cut out the shape so everything above the line is remaining. These are now your contour templates. Plane the top to 5/8" thick (or whatever it was on those plans), and then when you're carving the top keep putting those templates against the top until they rest pretty much flush along the top. They should show you where more wood needs to come off, which is pretty handy. Edited May 30, 2007 by Bainzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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