infernox
Hello All
Seriously thinking about making a Les Paul (if possible) otherwise it would be a strat.
Does anyone have a template that I can make a template of? Ill be doing this project with a master woodwork person so dont worry, I wont rip my fingers off hopefully.
singemonkey
Les Pauls are pretty tricky dude, you might want to start with a strat ?
infernox
Please explain in some more detail.
singemonkey
A Les Paul has a carved top, a precisely glued in neck, binding all around the body and neck, and an angled headstock. The strat is flat topped, has a bolt on neck, no binding, and a flat headstock. All of these things would, I imagine, make a Strat a much better beginner's build.
dee
Well what about a Les Paul Junior, or Melody maker? They are both flat tops.
AlanRatcliffe
+1 to singemonkey's assesment.
LP Juniors, Specials and SGs (if you're going to make a Melody Maker, you might as well make an SG) are all still set-neck designs with angled headstocks. Not impossible to get right, but a Strat (or even better a Tele) are usually better suited to first guitar builds. Fender style guitars were designed specifically to be easy to build or repair.
nicovlogg
Don't forget that besides for all the work and so (which is SUBSTANTIAL ?), there's a much bigger market here in SA for Fender parts - In my own personal experience you'll get parts easier for Fender style guitars.
Actually what I'm trying to say is, build a TELE! ?
infernox
I know Im going to be stabbed for this... ?
I dont like tele's.... I dont like strats... I actually started playing guitar because I fell in love with the Cort EVL Z2...
singemonkey
Want a les paul template? Go to www.stewmac.com. They sell one measured from a '59 Les Paul. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Sean
Tastes generally evolve. I was not mad about the tele shape a couple of years ago. That has changed. And it's not just about the look, but also about what the guitar offers tonally. Some day I will own one, possibly build one with Gearhead's assistance ? ( and it will be the classic '52 - I think it's awesome! ) Anyway, my point is, I'm betting your perception of a tele will change if you build one. You could even go the route of that thread about the tele building competition and build something unconventional, probably be a lot of fun, and quite a talking point as well ?
infernox
@Singe: I actually think you are the over sensitive one. Please read it in context... its like me saying on a car forum, I like BMW more as their are prettier than Merc... there is bound to be one or two fanatics. So that first line was said in jest as I know there are quite a few people here who love strats!
Sean and the rest, thanx for your comments. I really want to try the Les Paul, as my friend can essentially build anything with wood and thus I think he has the technical skill to get it right. Well more than likely do a test cheapo version and then move to decent wood.
If push comes to shove we will build a strat.
For those reading. I do understand that one day Ill have a strat, maybe for the sound but not the look as in all my years of watching bands play and looking at pictures and my friends owning strats, I have not got to loving the look.
So nothing against them. Most probably great instruments as is evident by the years they have been played and by whom they have been played, but its just not my cup of tea right now.
infernox
Anyone got any good links to Les Paul Building logs? Been looking on Google but finding alot of stuff with no pictures, or finished pictures.
Also might be making an order from Stewmac, so if anyone is interested, then please PM me as we can maybe order together.
guitarboy2828
infernox wrote:
For those reading. I do understand that one day Ill have a strat, maybe for the sound but not the look as in all my years of watching bands play and looking at pictures and my friends owning strats, I have not got to loving the look.
So nothing against them. Most probably great instruments as is evident by the years they have been played and by whom they have been played, but its just not my cup of tea right now.
Why the heck would you buy a strat if you don't like the look of it?
Like Seun said, some guys don't like tele's, but soon, they do, because they appreciate them for being tele's..
infernox
Actually I broadened my search and saw a ESP I love as well... and a Flying V....
Any Les Paul is stunning in my eyes.
Gearhead
Dude, figure this out first: cherryburst/flame/cream/nickel or cherryburst/flame/black/gold or goldtop/cream/gold or black/cream/gold or...
Any choice with a flame Maple top you WILL be stupid to attempt to build as a first guitar. I would be the first one to encourage peeps to build, but do recommend against embarking on a project you're sure to not finish properly. For the price of the parts for this build you can buy at least three Corts, so you might as well get a guitar out that actually can produce any sound, let alone sound right, let alone look the part too, let alone play lekker on top of it all. Please go build, I'll help if I can but don't underestimate the challenge.
AlanRatcliffe
singemonkey wrote:
Want a les paul template? Go to www.stewmac.com. They sell one measured from a '59 Les Paul. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Sean
Hey Infernox
The thing I like about this forum is that the folk here are all good okes. They actually take the time to read threads by noobs ( noobs like me ? ) and give advice. What's nice is that they sincerely try and help others not make the same mistakes they once did, and lets face it, when it comes to guitar gear, these mistakes are often not cheap. Chat to your woodwork friend and have him do some research on the whole guitar building thing as well. I know some pretty gifted carpenters that would not attempt to build a guitar because it's not only about making it aesthetically pleasing, but it actually has to work as well. The key here is tons... TONS of research. The reason why some have suggested an easier guitar build is really to get some experience first, because mistakes are going to be made, no matter how prepared you are. Also, the first build will not be perfect, some things are only going to come with practice. I watched Gearhead build his Strat just about from the very beginning ( and just the body, he bought the neck ) Now this dude is meticulous to just about the Nth degree :? . The Strat came out fantastic, but he was not 100% happy with it and he'll tell you that his next build will be better, just because he learnt so much doing this one.
Having said that, once your friend has done the research and knows more about the science of guitar building, and he feels he is capable of doing it, then go for it. Oh, and remember, like Gearhead said, if you're going to do it, for it to be a quality build, it's not going to be cheap. Take plenty of pics because it will be nice to see a Les Paul build log from one of our own members.
singemonkey
Sorry. You're right. I misread your post Infernox.
