pinefd Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) I'm a relative noobe (or is it newbee, or nuB?) around here, but have been known to hang out at a few other places on the World Wide Web. So, if you've seen this all before, I apologize, but I thought in case there were one or two of you out there who hadn't seen this stuff yet, you might enjoy it. For those of you who don't know me, I'm a guitar collector (Les Pauls), an infrequent guitar player, and now a part-time guitar builder. Until late last year, I was building half scale replicas of Les Pauls (called "Less Talls"), primarily for art/display purposes. The latest chapter in the Less Tall saga began this past November. I was debating what project I wanted to take on next, and was thinking I’d like to make something bigger and fully functional/playable this time, but still not full-size. Then, out of the blue, I was contacted by Matte Henderson, an accomplished guitarist and session musician who, as luck would have it, lives just 20 minutes from me. He had heard of my work, and was looking for someone to build him a Les Paul style octave guitar, for use on-stage, and in the studio. The timing was perfect, and so was the project. Thus was born the Less Tall Octave guitar. In two months time, I went from concept, to (almost) playable guitar. I say almost, because I was still waiting for some (Pigtail) hardware, plus the pickup. Otherwise, the construction was completed on the prototype except for the MOP headstock logo, which I was still waiting to receive from my vendor. This prototype, and all the guitars to follow, feature a Honduran mahogany back and neck (long tenon, of course), figured maple cap and Brazilian rosewood fingerboard (with vintage style inlays). And, for those of you who may not be familiar with what an octave guitar is, it’s a smallish guitar with a short fret scale (in my case approx. 14 ¾ inches) and a normal width fingerboard, that’s tuned one full octave higher than a normal guitar. Here's a photo of day one of constuction of the first prototype: And here's that same prototype completed (in an unfinished state...which is where it still is) Here's a photo of my completed prototype #2: And below are some pics of the guitar I built for Matte, which will hopefully be in his hands within the next week or two (clips to follow, I'm sure). I finally got around to finishing it up last week. I had to wait a month for the lacquer to dry, and then illness struck, forcing me to be sidelined for a few additional weeks. Anyway, here is the finished product: And lastly, here's an indoor shot of that same guitar to show how dramatically different this peek-a-boo flame can look under different lighting conditions: I hope you like it! Frank Edited August 23, 2008 by pinefd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 how cute is that!! i wonder how a pair of mini humbuckers would look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Beautiful work!!! I assume you use normal string gauges, since the scale length is ~half of a normal guitar scale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bygde Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 The coolest guitar EVER! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinefd Posted July 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) how cute is that!! i wonder how a pair of mini humbuckers would look Thanks! I already have been playing around with that concept a bit (in fact, that was going to be my first design, until Matte told me he wanted just one pickup). I plan to make one like that (I already have the mini-hums), but the problem is, it's quite crowded that way, between trying to squeeze in a toggle switch, and another couple of knobs...but I will try it one of these days. Edited July 23, 2008 by pinefd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
another doug Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 OOH! I love it! Great attention to detail, and I love the name ("Less Tall" Ha!). What does it say in place of "Gibson?" I'm having trouble reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinefd Posted July 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Beautiful work!!! I assume you use normal string gauges, since the scale length is ~half of a normal guitar scale? Thanks, Geo! These guitars actually use 8 gauge strings. Otherwise, the neck tension would be unbearable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinefd Posted July 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) OOH! I love it! Great attention to detail, and I love the name ("Less Tall" Ha!). What does it say in place of "Gibson?" I'm having trouble reading it. Thanks doug! Here's what the headstock says (in addition to "Less Tall Octave"): Edited July 23, 2008 by pinefd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshvegas Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Thats awesome! I was looking at bits of scrap wood and thinking about an electric mandolin in the shape of a les paul or a les paul double cut as shown in melvyn hiscocks book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereordinary Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 That is ADORABLE! I love it, somebody phone up Nancy Wilson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Very cool! I love it!!! Reminds me very much, conceptually, of the 4 string 2/3 scale (17" scale length) guitar that I'm finishing up right now. I should have it wired up this weekend. Anyway, great job and great attention to detail. These little ones are fun to build, and i've discovered they are more difficult than full sized in some ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
another doug Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 If there's anything better than a good play on words, it's TWO good plays on words. Nicely done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudz Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 That thing looks pretty cool! I would probably be incapable of playing such a shot scale instrumet as I have difficulty with regular gibsonspast fret 12 and have never attempted playing something of half that scale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFR Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 You ain't a noobie. you are a pofessional! Hiya Frank! Roman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Beautiful work!!! I assume you use normal string gauges, since the scale length is ~half of a normal guitar scale? Thanks, Geo! These guitars actually use 8 gauge strings. Otherwise, the neck tension would be unbearable. True, I guess that would be the same tension as a 28" scale or something. "electric mandolin in the shape of a les paul or a les paul double cut as shown in melvyn hiscocks book!" Yeah, I always thought that picture was awesome! It would be a pretty easy project I imagine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donut Man Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Can you take a picture of it next to a full sized Les Paul for comparison? I think this is the first and only time I will ever use "cute" to describe a guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshvegas Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 (edited) Can you take a picture of it next to a full sized Les Paul for comparison? I think this is the first and only time I will ever use "cute" to describe a guitar. or even better you holding it for that comedy giant look! GEO that was my thinking! I think its my favourite picture in the book! plus i love playing my mandolin i already have but its not exactly rock and roll looking! Edited July 24, 2008 by joshvegas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinefd Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 You ain't a noobie. you are a pofessional! Hiya Frank! Roman Thanks Roman! So I'm a professional, eh? Professional what? (I'm still trying to figure out that part) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinefd Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Thanks again for all the nice comments, guys. Happy to oblige with the photos. Here's one showing my prototype with a full size Les Paul, and "Baby Duane", my half scale replica of Duane Allman's Les Paul: And I don't have a picture of me with the guitar, but here's one of my buddy Nick Morgan, guitar player and builder extraordinaire, who played one my guitars for a whole set at a jam a couple of months ago: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinefd Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Ah, I just found a pic of me holding the same guitar at that same jam (yes, I'm the old guy with the scruffy beard), with Tom Murphy standing next to me: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshvegas Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 (edited) mate thats fantastically funny! do they open up and fit instide each other? the tiniest one does it actually play? Guitar of the month please i've decided! Edited July 24, 2008 by joshvegas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinefd Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 mate thats fantastically funny! do they open up and fit instide each other? No, but the cases do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinefd Posted July 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 the tiniest one does it actually play? The tiny one is one of my half scale "Less Tall" guitars. It is exactly half scale in every respect, except for two things: 1) it does not currently have a working pickup in it (all other electronics are in there); and, 2) the tuners, although they look like they are fully functional, are really dummy covers for the alternative tuning mechanisms I came up with...since I couldn't find or make gears small enough for a real half size tuner. You can get the guitar reasonably in tune, but realistically, with a neck only an inch wide at its widest point (approx.), it's virtually impossible to play anyway. Here's another picture of that one in the half scale Lifton case I made for it: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshvegas Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 not if you have them in open tunings! or like a bul bul tarang and tune them all to the same note! I know I saw some tiny metal gears somwhere a bit strange recntly I'll think about it and let you know if i remember! I have to say I'm really impressed the detail is quite amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeljac Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 great, nice.... I had to post a comment but the best on this photo.... t shirt on the wall... I feel like I was there ! Croatia !!!!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.