frankie Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Since this is my first build, and i already have a les paul for the measurements, i'm gonna go with a les paul. I think I want a black archtop, with nickel hardware, and white binding and pickguard and all that. Since it's and archtop, do you think I should just get a thicker piece of black limba on it, and carve down, or put a top on then carve. I don't care about the wood grain(like flamed or quilted) because it's gonna be solid black. And anything else i should take into consideration before I start. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hy_dro66 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 What's your plan for carving the top? or should I say...what are you going to use to carve the top? Also you could just use a thicker body blank instead adding a top. It'll save money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skibum5545 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 I'm not too sure about the cost of limba, or for that matter the thicknesses you can get it in, but it seems to me that a plain maple cap would almost certainly be cheaper than the same size in limba. Of course, don't get thick limba planed down just so you can stick a cap on it, but assuming thicker limba is more expensive than thinner, I'd go with a maple cap. Also, tone counts. Some people say solid mahogany LPs sound too muddy, and a maple cap helps give it a more articulate tone. I have heard limba is a bit "sparklier" than mahogany, so I don't know if the same holds true for it regarding the maple. [edit] one other thing to consider is that black limba is beautiful when natural, and black lacquer is black lacquer, whether (looks-wise) over 5A flame maple or plywood. My vote, if you're gonna shell out the bucks for the limba, is AT LEAST to show off the beautiful grain. I hate to see beautiful wood sprayed black. [/edit] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 yeah, but black limba isn't very expensive. I can get some under $30, for a blank. I guess i'd just use whatever i have to carve the top. spokeshave maybe some chizels.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meegs666 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GETTING BLACK LIMBA FOR THT CHEAP??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 really?? is that cheap?? it's just like one long board, that i'm gonna cut in half then glue together... How much does black limba usually go for?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meegs666 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 in my neck of the woods its kinda expensive, i got a quote and it came to like 95 for strat size blanks. my friend found some poor fool on e-gay who didnt know what he had, so he ended up with some very high quality limba for only 18 bucks and he built three bass bodies out of it. where exactly are you located, im in tennessee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Oklahoma........The trick is don't buy it from places that charge alot of money (ahahahhaha). but seriously, don't buy it from like a guitar wood cutter. just go get the lumber. ahhh it's hard to explain, just wood isn't that expensive if you look in the right places. like lumber yards and stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob7 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GETTING BLACK LIMBA FOR THT CHEAP??? Yeah, is this a site? if so ya gotta post it....I got mine for 35 (just enough for 1 LP body) off some guy on ebay....Such luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 no site, that i know of. It's just a local little place. Yeah just keep looking around, and you'll find some..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 I was also thinking of shaving my neck of the les paul I have. I hate the feel of lacquer, and why anyone would put it on the back of a neck is beyond me. when i try and slide up and down, it sorta sticks, not too much but a bare neck fender, with some sort of oil feels way better. anybody done this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickleweaseler Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 I believe the cap on Les Pauls covers up some of the routing channels. If you make a one piece, you'll have to do it some other way. BTW, taking the finish off the neck can make it more prone to warpage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefm Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 I think it was litch that got a pile of flame and quilt for about $12 It's hard to find a good lumber place here...unless I want a big slab of oak or pine or 2x4's or chipboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litchfield Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 well, it was the one peice that was that cheap. I am currently on another wood run, so I'll soon have more. Limba is $8.95/bf there too. Go to a lumberyard, not a specialy shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtailed Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 The maple cap is part of the LP's tone, it "brightens" up at bit and help with attack. If you forego the maple (or similar wood) cap, you could end up with a relatively dull sounding guitar assuming you keep the same thickness. It would be like a LP Special basically, except with a carved top. It doesn't mean it's gonna be a bad guitar, but it will sound different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I have a solid mahogany LP and I like it better than maple capped ones. Not as bright, which is good and bad depending on what I'm playing, but overall I like it better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 hey, have any of you guys seen a lp painted the way jimmy page's dannelectro was?? you know black on the front and back and white on the edges. I was thinkin about doin that, any feedback?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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