Attempt to get close to a '59 burst replica

lapdawg · 2014-01-20T22:38:01+00:00

Over the past few years I have built a few amplifiers and made even more cabinets, mostly repro's of Fender & Marshall amps. I done a reasonable amount of research & reading about amps & their construction but... I've always wanted to build some guitars. The closest I've come to building in all my years of playing is making lefty nuts for my string flips. Guitar building, as I am finding out is a different in some very fundamental ways. Most importantly: The amount materials needed, The levels of accuracy needed The amount of work and detail involved The number of tools & jigs needed Impatience is my biggest weakness, so that’s my personal challenge. My fascination with Gibson, especially the 58-59-60 bursts, means that this project can't be anything else. I have done a lot of reading on the construction of the 58-59-60 bursts. This is territory for obsessives & endless debate. I initially started out with idea that I would like to build a few completely accurate ’59s. The first thing I've decided is to build a few of them. 2 reasons for this: If I mess something up, then all my eggs are not in one basket. Secondly, with the jig building, lumber sizes etc. Its just not worth the effort to make one guitar. Through all the reading I have done, I have seen a lot of DIY build threads that just die. I promise I won’t do that. If I mess up, I’ll post it. That ambition of “completely accurate” has changed with a bit of discovery, most importantly: the availability of Brazilian rosewood, Honduras mahogany (Swetenia). The price & ethics that go with this are both a problem for me. The price of repro bridges, switches, fret-board inlays etc. is extreme. I am not sure that a first build will justify that outlay. These decisions need to be made as I go. Pickup rings that are "repro" can easily cost R2 000 with shipping & duties to add. Ridiculous. I've bought plans which I think are mostly accurate. They were supposedly modelled on 3 bursts that the drafter had access to. There are one or 2 details that haven’t 100% added up for me & some info that is missing. I have worked out my adjustments to these and think I have a good idea of what to do. I've bought African mahogany & sapele for the necks. I have been unable to find any info or sources for featherweight African mahogany, but I know it exists. It won’t be playing a part in this build. I have read that some of the bursts had sapele necks. I have ordered 2 pieces of tiger maple – eastern red maple. This was mostly what was used on the bursts. I want to make as much as I can, within reason. I will definitely do all the woodwork. I’m going to make & wind my own pickups. Obviously, tuners, tailpiece, bridge etc should be bought. I think it makes economic sense to make things like hide glue, fish glue & some of the plastic fittings. I've started with making the body templates & will post those later.

Chocklit_Thunda

Dammit!now what's gonna keep me going til game of thrones comes back??

Very well done! This was an amazing thread to follow! Seriously, you are too talented!

warrenpridgeon

lapdawg wrote
Psean wrote Congratulations :goodtimes:
This looks seriously amazing! It would be great to hear some hi quality demos some time down the line ?
Good idea - I'll try to get a demo done.

he'll prob go off and build a fully functioning multi track recorder now. Hehe.

seriously, lapdawg, your work is epic!I hope to one day attempt building a guitar and if it came close to what you've achieved I would be very very happy!

Keira-WitherKay

absolutely mind blowing that you built it all ...even the pickup ring ?.... well all i can say is there's definitely a future for you in building custom guitars...if you choose ......and this build is your best advertisement .....anyone seeing this and knowing the process will be well impressed ..... well done ..you are insanely talented

rikus

Congrats man! Staggering result. I'm super impressed with the attention to detail. You pretty much aimed for the stars first time round and you managed to get there (and in good time too)!

Can't wait to see the rest come to life as well!!

ezietsman

Dang... Dunno what to say... ?

ZarK

Incredible! :goodtimes:

shaunf

Showeee! *Wipes Brow* :yup:

Need to hear this fine filly...

Rowen-M

You Sir are a legend. Absolutely stunning. Sound clips pleeeeeease.

vic

Congrats on a fantastic end product Mr Hayward. :goodtimes: I have been following your thread with interest from time to time. What a satisfying project it must have been.
Fantastic !

Sebber

I've got to agree with everyone here, that's a truly outrageously gorgeous looking instrument. My respect and admiration to you for setting yourself the goal, the methods you used, your patience, artisan-level skills, and a truly stunning end result! You have every right to be truly proud of yourself and your fantastic achievement!

Sean

Fantastic looking guitar. Congrats, well done, and thanks for sharing the journey with us.

Heath

I am truly gonna miss the updates , was always the highlight of my week , dying to see the rest

Stoffeltoo

Taraa Taraa! The end of an epic journey (Dang!) But I believe the start of an exciting discovery into the characteristics and personality of this guitar. As the creator we expect a demo please Dawg!
Something in the fashion of old Flash. If you build 'em you play 'em! :yup: :yup:

Gearhead

Truly gr8 ?

lapdawg

Thanks for the compliments and feedback.
...and wow! - Vic - its good to "see" you again. I have missed your input into the forum. I have even asked Alan if he knew if anything had happened to you & if you were OK.

I have finished up the setup. Anything more would be a custom setup. The frets all line up nicely. One of the high frets was a little proud, so I've brought it into line. The truss is just on its first "tight" turn. I've cleaned the frets & fingerboard & given it a few wipes of Tru-oil. I've set the pup heights & its "Thunderbirds are go".

I'll have it in at The Gear Junkie in Salt River by 11:00 this Saturday morning. Please come and have a go if you are in the area.

vic

lapdawg wrote Thanks for the compliments and feedback.
...and wow! - Vic - its good to "see" you again. I have missed your input into the forum. I have even asked Alan if he knew if anything had happened to you & if you were OK.

I have finished up the setup. Anything more would be a custom setup. The frets all line up nicely. One of the high frets was a little proud, so I've brought it into line. The truss is just on its first "tight" turn. I've cleaned the frets & fingerboard & given it a few wipes of Tru-oil. I've set the pup heights & its "Thunderbirds are go".

I'll have it in at The Gear Junkie in Salt River by 11:00 this Saturday morning. Please come and have a go if you are in the area.

Thanks Buddy.... ?
I'm alive and kicking.....Since beginning of the year I was busy with a lot of other stuff. However I would pop in from time to time to see what you guys were up to.....I'm sooo glad that your project worked out like this...truly amazing work. Congrats again.

Norman86

Im in ct in november, somehow, i need to view these in person!
I doubt the pics do do them justice!

Congrats lapdawg, fine job you've done there!

lapdawg

Norman86 wrote Im in ct in november, somehow, i need to view these in person!
I doubt the pics do do them justice!

Congrats lapdawg, fine job you've done there!

Let me know - I am not sure where they will be then, but I would be happy to try arrange something. PM me nearer the time.
For now, they will hang in The Gear Junkie. I would like people to have a knock and post their honest feedback & opinions.
The final pics aren't the best. I was on the the wrong end of a bout of flu when I took them.
The first one will be in store before 11:00 tomorrow morning.

G-Man

Excellent work Lapdawg, your patience is astounding. What a result.

I would love to hear a side by side comparison with one of your beauties and an actual '59, and I'm dying to hear what the LP aficionados will have to report back after having a go. I dont think it is going to be easy to find a replica as painstakingly recreated anywhere as these are.

Norman86

G-Man wrote I would love to hear a side by side comparison with one of your beauties and an actual '59, and I'm dying to hear what the LP aficionados will have to report back after having a go.

Something that im sure will have an effect is the age of the wood and electronics.. Then again, im not sure that especially the electronics age plays as much of a role in older instruments, as the sound of those 59's in their original time, is probably what lapdawg was going for?!
(This question sounded better in my head, i hope it transferred correctly?! :-[ )

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