Semi-hollow.. Solid... but the Sustain?

[kench]

Hello.. I'm a graphic designer from Istanbul, TR. I'm playing a Fender Strat for 7 years but I'm also trying to build a Les Paul body for my 1967 EKO Florentine neck (the body is damaged, converted to a left-hand guitar very very roughly by one of its past users). The neck is in good condition and has a good feel except the fret wires. I'm going to replace the fingerboard if I success with the body. I'm going to use mahogany body and maple top, just like the original LPs. Anyway.. I'm now in planning process and made all the drawings in the computer. My questions are...

Should I make a hollow body or a solid one? I've seen that Warmoth is making hollow bodies and I drew my plan just like theirs. A semi-hollow body is attractive because of it's warm tone and light weight. But the sustain is more important. Does it reduce sustain? and what about the feedback problems with high gain amps? I may forget about the hollow body if it is risky.

You can see the chambers in this image from Warmoth website:

...And I need the exact lenght between two humbuckers in original LPs. It should be accurate because I might mount an original pickguard.

My last question.. what is the easiest way to angle the neck pocket for tune-o-matic bridges? I can calculate the needed angle but how can I route the neck pocket with exact angle? (It's gonna be bolt-on)

PS: I'd like to post my detailed plans on here but I don't have an account on any free server... Would you recommend me one?

[ryeisnotcool2]

well the guitar i entered this month for the contest is a hollow body and it is made out of walnut back and mahogany top, the sustain is a little less than a solid but not by much, also it is completely hollow, it doesnt have a feedback problem at all and i play through a mesa!

in my opinion i say go for the chambers! it will lighten u the guitar a little and i dont think it will take away much of the sustain if any, if you do it the same as in that picture. as for the neck angle, what i did was i drew a straight line on some paper, then added the angle line, 4 deg. is what mine are(you can do what you wish) making a point with both lines, then i use this as a template for a few peices of wood 3/4 x 12" long and i cut them to the same angle, mount them to a template of the neck pocket and you will be able to get your neck angle when you route.

just make sure youi line up the template right when you place it on the body, so that it goes to the right depth you need. also its easier if you do it before you glue the top on!

good luck and i hope this helps!

also i was using the www.fullservesite.com for my pic hosting but i cant figur out how to do it anymore? im stupid! lol

[canuckguitarist]

rye, remove 'member/' from the url.

[Guest Litchfield Custom Gutars]

for picture hosts, I use car domain. Just pick a car, and post you pics of whatever you see fit.

[kench]

Hey finally I have a host site for my images!... Thanks for the advices! www.fullservesite.com works if you remove "members/" from the url.

Well... here are my drawings on computer. I used Macromedia Freehand for drawing vector images and plans and Photoshop for coloring. Please check them out and let me know if you have any ideas, corrections or tips that makes the work easier.

And I think I'll go for the Hollow body.. thank you very much for the information about your guitar Rye!.

And I still need the lenght between 2 humbuckers in Gibson Les Pauls.