jsullysix Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 (edited) Hi everyone, it's been a long while since I've posted, but I do drop in from time to time. About 3-4 years ago, I bought an abandoned Les Paul project and did a video series of its renovation. I had always wanted a Les Paul (Ace got me started as a kid), but I never really bonded with the ones that I'd owned in the past. I figured that I could refinish and repair this particular guitar and that'd be the be all, end all LP for me. I learned a lot during that process, and the most important lesson was why I never bonded with Les Pauls; the scale doesn't work for me, and I'd like a bit more ergonomics; especially around the neck joint. ....So I started drawing over a picture of a Les Paul. I wanted to make my own version, but with a 25.5 scale, and more contours on the back of the body. I drew and drew and drew, and eventually made a few templates that were kinda there, but not quite. This went on for a couple of years. I had plenty of other guitars to build, so I'd just come back to this one every now and again until I was happy with the final design. I got some Black Limba locally and got to work. The first Sully '71 (I was born in 1971) has a Black Limba body, 3pc Black Limba neck, Rosewood fretboard, Stainless Steel jumbo frets, Tone Pros Tune-o-matic bridge, Habanero classic pickups (made by GJ2), one volume knob, one toggle switch. Here's what came out of it: Bodies drawn out on the blank: 3pc neck cut up, ready for clamps Out of the clamps, post-jointer, but pre-headstock ears Gluing the fretboard on to the neck blank One down, one to go (that I still have yet to do) Neck backshape complete Time to bust out the microplane and get contouring! Or...."the last thing the hobo ever saw...." Penciling in the back contours Back contouring Bevels on the face Gluing the neck in Additional body work done, as you can see. And the back Thanks to Doug for the excellent inlay work! Now off to the lovely and talented Mike Learn for finish! In the clear! (seewhatIdidthere?) New "sully signature" logo I love stingers! Assembly begins Filed the nut slots and strung it up! I still have to set the intonation and I believe that'll be it. I plan on filming a demo video after the holidays are over. Overall, I like it. With any prototype, there are things that will change with the second (and third) one, but I'm glad I waited as long as I did with the design. Also looking forward to a full on carved top version, but that'll happen later. The second prototype is well underway and features a mahogany body and neck, flamed maple top, ivoroid binding, ebony fretboard, a wraparound bridge, and the rest is kinda TBD. Anyway, thanks for checking it out, and I hope you like it, too. Sully Edited December 19, 2013 by jsullysix 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonx Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 So many peoples attempts at an "original" design just make me want to puke these days, this one doesn't, so take that as a compliment. I do however like the front (horn) end better than it's arse end (looks a bit bulky?), but I honestly don't know how to improve the arse end so it's probably best you ignore me! Might look better with a big chunky bridge mounted back with a longer scale to fill in the space? My tastes are usually the minority around here so don't listen to me too much! Anyway - great work and I'm a fan of the grain streak through the middle of the body. A lot of "companies" would class that as a defect or a B grade as it's inconsistent, I myself love things like this, timber is a natural thing and doesn't always need to look like a computer generated printout veneer, a simple piece like this shows individualism in the timber and a lot of people loose that concept by trying to strive for "perfection" - adds character to the piece. Makes it real rather than just another cookie cutter guitar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 I first saw this guitar on your you tube channel- but you said in that video it was white limba. (?? so.....which is it?)) Looks great- I am totally digging that grain streak. ps- cool to see the vid for your theme song on your channel. And he is rocking that Sully V- nice touch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Marino Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Hey Sully I dig it man... nice and simple but classy.... BTW... thanks for teaching me how to level and crown frets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Looks like some nice work. Not crazy about the shape, but looks well done. How do you get mike learn to spray your guitars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntinDoug Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Hey Sully... Great to see you back! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Sully!!! Great to see you dude!Love the design. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Indeed. Always a pleasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsullysix Posted December 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 (edited) So many peoples attempts at an "original" design just make me want to puke these days, this one doesn't, so take that as a compliment. I do however like the front (horn) end better than it's arse end (looks a bit bulky?), but I honestly don't know how to improve the arse end so it's probably best you ignore me! Might look better with a big chunky bridge mounted back with a longer scale to fill in the space? My tastes are usually the minority around here so don't listen to me too much! Anyway - great work and I'm a fan of the grain streak through the middle of the body. A lot of "companies" would class that as a defect or a B grade as it's inconsistent, I myself love things like this, timber is a natural thing and doesn't always need to look like a computer generated printout veneer, a simple piece like this shows individualism in the timber and a lot of people loose that concept by trying to strive for "perfection" - adds character to the piece. Makes it real rather than just another cookie cutter guitar I appreciate the compliment! As far as the big arse end, I have a feeling it's an illusion; it actually fits inside a Les Paul case. I definitely see what you're saying though, but I'm glad you like it. The stripe definitely needed to be showcased! I like it too. I first saw this guitar on your you tube channel- but you said in that video it was white limba. (?? so.....which is it?)) Looks great- I am totally digging that grain streak. ps- cool to see the vid for your theme song on your channel. And he is rocking that Sully V- nice touch. The body is for sure black limba, while the neck wood was labeled as white limba. I think it's all black, because it matches so nicely. Glad you like the video for the theme song; Dee J was actually just interviewed for Guitar World and there's a nice pic of him with his Galaxy V here. He's got a new Sully as well; a proto of a tele styled body. It's still pointy at heart, though! Hey Sully I dig it man... nice and simple but classy.... BTW... thanks for teaching me how to level and crown frets! Ah, thanks man! Happy to have been of service. Looks like some nice work. Not crazy about the shape, but looks well done. How do you get mike learn to spray your guitars? Thanks! I know it's not for everyone, but I have noticed that it does tend to grow on you. Mike Learn is a pal, but he'll paint for anyone who pays him to do so. Look him up and tell him I sent you; you'll be glad you did! Hey Sully... Great to see you back! Thanks Doug, and thanks for the great inlay work! Sully!!! Great to see you dude! Love the design. Thanks! Edited December 20, 2013 by jsullysix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Original Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Very cool design. I like back contours, and the way the heel meets the body. Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted December 20, 2013 Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Cool. Does he do finishes from scratch? Or do you have to send it to him with a base? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsullysix Posted December 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2013 Cool. Does he do finishes from scratch? Or do you have to send it to him with a base? I send raw wood, but I believe that some people do send base coats, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliemc Posted December 22, 2013 Report Share Posted December 22, 2013 realy cool design. love the body shape 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 The body is for sure black limba, while the neck wood was labeled as white limba. I think it's all black, because it matches so nicely. I read somewhere....Hobbit House I think, that black limba and white limba are the same species and can even be from the same tree; the streaking or lack of it is the sole determination for the name. It was noted that there were worm/insect holes near all the streaks and speculated that the streaking was a reaction to the bugs.....but I don't know if that ever went beyond speculation. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsullysix Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 ScottR, I recently read something similar (being from the same tree). I've got a bunch more of "black" limba with a lot of mineral streaking, but thankfully, no wormholes so far. Sully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 That should be enough evidense to debunk that theory then. I've got enough on hand for a couple more bodies with lots of orange and black streaking........and the wormholes too. I just claim they add "character". SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdshirtman Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Nice looking design. Simple and classic. Really interested in seeing the carve top version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsullysix Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Thanks man! I'm looking forward to a carved version as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu. Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 This is very cool. Are you going to do anything snazzy with the carve, to make it tie-in with the pointed rear? All this talk of wormholes makes me feel sci-fi, because I'm a nerd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsullysix Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Thanks Stu! My original plan was to do a bit of an offset carve that would follow the point, but when modeled up, it just didn't look good. Sully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsullysix Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Did some fretwork yesterday and I'm calling it done. Yeah, I'll get around to making the truss rod cover. Now to get the remaining routs on the second one done and get it ready for paint... Sully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsullysix Posted February 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Fretted the neck and glued the sucker in.... Sully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu. Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 It's looking awesome, as always! I'm looking forward to seeing that flame explode under some clear. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsullysix Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 It's looking awesome, as always! I'm looking forward to seeing that flame explode under some clear. Thanks! Meeee too! It's getting a honey burst, and should be pretty neat. Got the bridge located, did some more sanding, and started cleaning up the frets last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Looking good! Where did you get that long 12" radius block? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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