iSock

thanks

I've got coping saws, rasps, sandpaper, a lot of very basic hand tools. How would I go about shaping a headstock using only hand tools? I just don't feel comfortable with powertools to be honest. Would cutting a rough outline with the coping saw,then cleaning up with sandpaper and rasps turn out okay? Any better ideas? Thanks

Hi guys... sorry for the late bump but I had to think, gather resources, etc. Right now, I am pretty turned off from this project by a lot of the posts here (I understand, and agree to some extent) which is why this project is (un)officially on hold, and now I am asking out of curiosity and future projects, which probably will include this one. The guys at GuitarCenter didn't feel too comfortable allowing me to measure and mess around with thier most precious guitar (douchebags...) but I did meet some very helpful people online who were owners of this guitar and game me measurements measured with digital calipers. So, anyway, that part is out of the way. My neck right now is only a couple of mm thicker in thickness, but ages thinner in width. This kind of got me worried... Is it possible to make it thinner is width? Wouldn't I have to sand through the binding and fretboard (and what about the frets....?). Help in that area would be greatly appreciated. Another big question I have is the refinishing process. How do you go about refinishing a Les Paul? Could someone explain the process to me? Is the neck color the color of natural mahogany or is it stained, etc... or if someone could point out a nice site that explains it ( I couldn't find any...) Thanks alot guys

Thanks Setch, idch, tdog, and GodBlessTexas (Heck yeah) for the replies. Setch, thanks for the reply and warnings. It's true I know 1- maybe 2 of the answers to the questions you have posted. I think with a bit of research, those answers can by no doubt be answered. Those are really nice questions to take in mind, thank you. idch, I agree with you lol. As once said, and OFTEN repeated on these forums, "No Guts, No Glory" tdog, I've never really thought about that... That really makes you think lol. I think I am past my growth spurt and everything so I doubt my hands will grow (much) larger. But, I definitely see your point. I will not be rushing this possible project at all. I'll do plenty of research, get to really know my stuff (well, on shaving and refinishing anyway), and definitely have a go at practicing on some woods or other necks. Hopefully that last part of your answer wont happen lol... GodBlessTexas, truth is, everybody is right when they say I'm not ready, nor do I hardly possess the tools. But with a little bit of time and research, I promise you I will be absolutely ready. I probably will not start until I am about 99% sure that I can do this. You recmmonded another LP neck to try it on, or a slab of maple. I'm sure I could get one or the other, but here is my question. You recommend maple, but my LP neck is mahogany... Would it be different in terms of feel when practicing. I dont want to get completely used to shaving maple then find out mahogany is a totally different feel and mess up there... You know, I think thats the best advice a novice with no tools could recieve... Thanks! For clarity, do you mean, get measurements with the contour gauge then trace the contour gauge shape onto paper? I'm not quite sure what you are saying... please calrify. I am definitely not familiar with this tool so that could be why I don't understand completely what you're saying. But I'm leaning towards that idea for doing it. It seems the safest. (To think I was just about to get some sandpaper and go at it! ) A lot of people seem hesitant that I do not do it... I think it would be possible for me to get it almost perfect with research, practice (before actually doing it), using the contour gauges likes GodBlessTexas has suggested, and going at it slowly and carefully. Of course, I'd probably be updating with every time I even think about touching the neck with the sandpaper lol. So heres the ( unofficial ) plan: 1) Get some contour gauges and do all the measurements of the JP LP and my LP. 2) Get some practice necks or slabs of wood. 3) Practice, oh question: would I be able to do this whole thing using just sandpaper? or do you recommend a tool to help me? Time is not a matter. I am a rather patient guy when I need to be and time is the most plentiful thing I have. 4) Compare the two measurements, conclude how much (near exactly) I need to sand off. 5) Go at it- slowly, precisely, and carefully. Oh, I just remembered, this may make me seem like an idiot to you guys and all lol... but what about refinishing the neck again? What kind of finish is it? It seems to be a clear coat or gloss coat... What would I need to put it back on? So: 6) Refinish neck Thanks so much for all the help guys, I truly really appreciate it. I promise, the first things when I have saved enough money, is to start a dream guitar project, and donate to these forums. Seriouly, these forums are the most helpful and friendly I've ever been in Oh, btw, GodBlessTexas, Where are you in Texas? You sound a San Antonio to me lol it will be safe but it may take forever depending on what grit sandpaper you use. doing it with a spokeshave would be much quicker but more care must be taken. it took me 1/2 an hour with a spokeshave to take 3 or 4mm off an acoustic of mine then 1/2 hour sanding and it was done (minus refin) but remember theres alot more to a nice feeling neck than its thickness. ← Crap, I must have just skipped over your post Borge, so I forgot to thank you lol. So... Thanks!!! I'd really rather be safe and spend loads of time rather than speed up and take a chance. This is probably just for a person, or novice like me. You are completely right about the nice feeling of a neck, that's why I plan to research tons about the JP LP incase it's more than just the thin neck and mojo that makes it awesome. Thanks alot for telling me about the amount of time that would be required. That gives me a good ballpark idea of how long I'd take. Again, Thanks everybody!

Thanks for the replies idch, Wes, and Primal. I really have my mind set on this, that neck really felt perfect for me. I honestly think I can do it. I was thinking just a little bit of sandpaper and go REAL slowly ( I've heard disaster stories of getting too close or even hitting the truss rod ). Really, I think I be shaving off 1/16 - 1/8 of a inch max. I just read an article of Jimmy Page's guitar stating that it was 50's Les Paul thickness near the nut, then super thin in the middle ( I dont know if that helps at all lol... ). idch, Wouldn't you have to shave off the finish on the neck ( please excuse me if Im wrong, I hardly know what I'm talking about ) in order to shave the neck wood to get it thinner? Primal, I really would love to make my own guitar but money is not coming so easily for my family right now ( my dad hasn't been able to find a job since he graduated with a phd last summer... one would think it would help with more job opportunities ). I am ony 15 and can't get a job for another year or so. I live in an apartment complex so mowing lawns is hardly available. I've put up dog walking ads but no one has yet to reach me lol. So, in conclusion, would taking some sandpaper to the neck and working it REAL slowly be safe/ easier...? Off topic: That is a Sweet looking guitar in your avatar idch, Bo Diddley influenced? Wes, I could bring it to you and have you do it lol... I'm in Austin

Thanks for the reply silvertonessuckbutigotone(lol), I see what you mean by the time thing, but I'm on Summer vacation from school and still have 3/2 month left til school starts. Hopefully doing this will make me feel like I've accomplished something over Summer break. I think I could work multiple hours a day, just as long as I'm careful and slow...

Thanks for the reply idch, Wow! What would take it a month? Is it drying the new finish? Never saw that as a problem... In the meantime, I have a Standard Strat and a Takamine Acoustic also so I think the biggest problem would just be me missing it It's a Standard model, so it is a set neck. When are you going to reshape yours? I'd love to follow through your progress to get a feel of what it'll be like !

the neck was just absolutely the best thing I've ever felt!!! BTW, hi, I'm new here I was wondering if it would be possible to make my Epiphone Les Paul into a similar neck shape? I know you can shave it down, but I'm pretty nervous that I'm going to mess something up (I've never modded my guitar...) Let's say I do... How would you get the finish off the neck? and when I'm done, how would I put the finish back on? Any tips, suggestions, warnings would be wonderful! Thanks