toneseeker Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 (edited) Hey all...I'm in the middle of a '59 LP Jr. double cut build. I'm not going for perfection or purity. I just hope to make a decent playable rendition. I snagged a fretted fingerboard and trussrod off of a new Stagg LP copy neck I got off the 'bay' for $25.00. I removed the fingerboard as per the instructions here at PG and it saved me alot of work. You can check out the current progress at... http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ I had a piece of rosewood around so I thought I would use it on the headstock to be a little bit different, but I'm trying to be as close as possible to the original for what resources and abilities I have. I'm waiting for the bridge to arrive so I can rout for the neck, but I'm going to rout the pocket tomorrow after some more body shaping. Let me know what you think of my build soo far and if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate the input. Best wishes from SC-lowatter. (AKA)-toneseeker Edited November 6, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Posted September 20, 2008 Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 i like it a lot. nice work! you seem to doing your homework well! i would suggest that you wait until you have the bridge to check the height, probably you´re gonna have to put some angle on the neck. don´t know how much in the lp jr. maybe some other forum members can help you with this. but with the bridge you can work this out. keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted September 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 (edited) Thanks Hector...I appreciate the compliment. It's alot of work for a weekend warrior. I know that the '59 is very plain-jane compared to say a LP custom, but I'm a plain-joe kinda guy. I want the sound but not the grief of a hugely complicated build as well. I'm hoping the the dark cherry base stain and the transparent finish stain on the 3rd finish coat will hide alot of my joining and scarf joint etc. No binding to have to do and very little leveling/dressing as I used a already fretted fingerboard. From what I can see down the fretline, I may only have to level the 12th fret slightly. I know about the neck angle which I believe is 2-2.5 degrees and I have it accounted for on the neck, but the body is flat bottomed in the neck pocket and I'm using a right angle on the back of the heel. I'll have to do some final sanding on the neck's heel bottom and perpendicular back of the heel when I get the bridge(hopefully today) and determine the string height. I probably will wait to get it before I rout the pocket though in case I deviate from the template I made when I go to do this. I'll post more pics as I make progress and if anyone goes to build one, I'll try to help all that I can. Edited September 21, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted September 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2008 (edited) BTW...does anyone have a exact scale GFS dogear P-90 footprint? Better yet...does anyone have a used dogear P-90 they can sell cheap(alms for the poor)? Also, I wanted to tell anyone who views my pics that the white tape wrapped around my trussrod is teflon tape. I hadn't heard of anyone doing this, I just thought it was a pretty good idea as titebond won't stick to it and it should move nicely encased in it as well as it's dampening qualities. I know it's too late now, but does anyone think that this was a mistake? P.S. further updates of the build will be added to the pic link as I make progress, so keep checking the link. Edited September 21, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted September 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 I made alot of progress this weekend for anyone interested. Again, anyone have a used dogear P-90 bridge pup for sale? http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 looken pretty good. i love that headstock veneer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 you seem to be doing just fine! keep up the good work! that´s gonna be one fine guitar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted September 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2008 I made some more progress and I thought I'd bump to share what has been done..... http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted September 26, 2008 Report Share Posted September 26, 2008 looks good, i am also currently doing a LPJ - but mines a single cut - more '55 spec with a few subtle changes. I do have a spare black covered Dog-ear. Its an allparts razor.. but bear in mind i am in the UK so it might not be cheaper than buying a new one for you once postage is added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted September 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2008 (edited) Thanks Wez, I appreciate the offer but I really don't have much to spend. I'm doing this on a shoestring budget so I don't drive my poor wife nuts. I'm just trying to get a playable rendition of the Jr. DC. The Allpart's Razor looks like a great pup tho. 10K ohms for a P-90 must be a real smoker. BTW...you've built some very nice guitars on the other side of the pond. Edited September 26, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted September 26, 2008 Report Share Posted September 26, 2008 cheers! if it wasnt for postage and exchange rates i could offer you a deal.. in your position i would go for this: http://store.guitarfetish.com/gfsalviwodob.html although my personal choice and the one i will be using on my LPJ is at the other end of the price scale, about £70 ($140) http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZP-909192.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted September 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 I decided on getting a used Epiphone P-100($20-delivered) and adding a push-pull volume control that will switch the dumby load coil in and out. I think it's from the '57 Jr. resissue model. I thought that it may add some tonal possibilities to the build. I didn't want to change the simplicity of the Jr. at all. Another reason is that the pickup(from what I read) ohms out at 19K without the dumby load. That's probably wrong and it's just a little more than double the vintage correct resistance. At nearly $20.00 cheaper than what I was going to pay, that's brings my project total for my build to $130.00 with a tort guard and amber knobs. Not too shabby. not too shabby. I made some more progress today and if things go well today, I may be able to set the neck today(a milestone moment). I hand made a trussrod cover and stamped 'MADE IN-USA' on back of the headstock. Check my progress at... http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 looks good. I am going to have to do a 'Made in UK' stamp on the back of mine in the gibson style maybe a Gibson style serial number as well. It wont be getting a gibson logo but i do have a 'less pull model' decal i am going to use on it. The idea is cheeky nods towards gibson ID's without actually making it a knock off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted October 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 More progress made on my build. The neck will be set this weekend. I'm way ahead of the schedule I thought I was looking at. Check it out at.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wizard Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 (edited) Verey Nice, Iam planning on SG soon, Hope mine goes as well. Edited October 2, 2008 by Wizard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted October 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 I got the body sanded and thought I'd bump and show you guys...I'll probably set the neck tomorrow after drilling for the input jack and wires. I still need a used P-90-ANYONE GOT ONE TO SELL? http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPA or death Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 Great work toneseeker. I think it will turn out to be a great guitar despite your modest expectations. One question: did you make your own drum sander there? Any insight into that project? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted October 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 (edited) My drum sander is a must have tool in my little modest garage/woodshop. It was well worth the effort to build it. There are lots of guys with tutorials out there to build one. After looking some of them over, I kinda let my sander design itself with the materials I had available to me. It really wasn't that hard to do and I encourage anyone with some mechanical skills who does woodworking to build one. For the drum(which is the most important part), I simply took a 22" piece of 4" PVC and made inner diameter caps for the ends with 3/4" plywood discs. Then, drill holes EXACTLY in the center of the dics the diameter of your axle. Then I bought 2 galvie pipe flanges(used to secure threaded pipes to flat surfaces), and drilled out the threads so that they would slip over a 1" axle. Put the axle, flange and disc through one end of the PVC and simply fill the PVC with concrete. Then cap the other end, add the other flange and let it set up. Then slip the assembly through (2) 1" pillow block bearings and add a pulley on one end. Then take a piece of 3/4" plywood(22"X22") and glue a 2"X2" along 1 edge that has a bevel cut perpendicular the the PVC drum cylinder. Then glue some 120 grit sandpaper to that beveled surface. Use this to true up the PVC drum cylinder so that it is true and parallel to the feed surface. I hope this helps. BTW...I GLUED THE NECK TO THE BODY TONIGHT ON MY JUNIOR BUILD!!!!! A milestone moment. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Edited October 6, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted October 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 (edited) I'm at the point were I had to put some strings on for the first time just to see if I was even close to making a playable guitar out of this hunk of wood. After a minor neck adjustment and raising the bridge slightly, the intonation is very close. I may have to do a little leveling and dressing, but I'm going to finish everything else first now that I know I'm on the right track. The neck is a little thick. I may end up taking the profile of my Melody Maker and shaving some more off it. I believe the '59 Juniors necks were a little thick, but I'm not certain of that. I posted some more pics of the progress. Next I have to find a P-90 and rout for it, then make the pickguard and finally stain and finish. Thanks for all the compliments and encouragement guys, it's getting there. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Edited October 9, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted October 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2008 Have any of you guys tried one of the Gotoh P-90 bridge pups? They are used in Tokai Japanese guitars. I listened to a couple of soundbites and they seemed good for the price. Any help would be appreciated-Thanks...Toneseeker http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdog Posted October 10, 2008 Report Share Posted October 10, 2008 That Junior of yours is coming out great !! That's much more than a "humble effort". Very clean indeed, congratulations. Regarding P90s, as a sidenote, I prefer rather hot-winded P90s for the bridge position. The standard Gibson P90 for example (around 8K, Alnico 5) sounds great for the neck position but to me it sounds rather anemic in the bridge slot. I like the bridge P90s in the range of the 10K. If there's a choice in the line of pickups you finally choose, keep it in mind. BTW would $50 be too much for the pickup ?? You could try ZhangBuckers, I'm using his pickups in my builds and in some of the commercial guitars I have. Boutique pickups, hand-wound to your exact specifications and very reasonably priced. Contact David at zhangbucker <at> yahoo <dot> com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted October 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 (edited) Hey BlackDog...thanks soo much for the compliments. After looking at your endevours, I'm VERY complimented by your words. As far as pups go, I just ordered a front and rear dogear P-90 set from GFS ($40 for the pair delivered on clearance without covers(got any?)). The rear pup is 8.8K ohms. I wanted to try a hotter bridge, but this is the deal I came up with until something else comes available. My single pup Melody Maker RI ohms out at 13+K and sounds incredible(it's a little known secret) so I appreciate the value of the higher resistance. I may putz around with caps and resistors to see what I can get out of them however. I'm really torn at this point about adding the neck pup with the 2 control knobs(push-pull volume set-up like the Squier '51), and make it a cross-between a junior and a special. I guess that the more I tweak however, the further I'm getting away from the original simplistic splender of the '59 Junior DC that took be there from the begining. Again...thanks. Edited October 11, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted October 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 (edited) Hey all...I made some major progress and I thought I share what has been done. Junior's all stained up and waiting to put his coat on. I'm getting closer. I got tired of trying to find some single ply tortoise pickguard material so I made up some on my own with epoxy and stain. I'll be working the cured blank tomorrow and I'll post the result. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Edited October 19, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 well done!! i like it a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneseeker Posted October 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 (edited) Headstock logo was applied. I stenciled and spray-bombed it metallic gold on the headstock face. Now it's on to applying the nitro finish. I'm getting closer. Also I made up some brown tortoise pickguard material from 2 part epoxy and stain. Here's some more pics... http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/ Edited October 20, 2008 by toneseeker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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