LP-1S Second First Build

These spaltys look so good with a natural finish. Coming together nicely, BH.

the build is looking sweet as Bluesy, what is left just wire it up ?

Yep, just wiring to go - and a set up. Actually had a first go at the wiring tonight using all the stock parts. It's producing sound now, though I think I botched a ground connection or something because it buzzes until I touch the shielding. Also occurs to me that the grounded bushing currently does nothing as the bolt and tailpiece itself have the same non-conductive black coating that I guess needs to be scratched off.

But still, it makes sound and the stock pickups sound okay. Unfortunately, after having removed the bridge/tailpiece to do the wiring, it's not playing as nicely as it was. Also broke its first string.

Ah well, wouldn't be any fun if everything worked out first time.

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So a lesson for the kids - the black coating on the stock hardware is non-conductive. I had to scratch up the bolt and tailpiece in order to ground the strings and get the buzzing to a manageable level. This was after trying to troubleshoot wiring and eventually connecting a pickup directly to the tip of the lead and realising the stock pickups are just noisy (tested the Toneriders in the same way and they are much quieter).

In hindsight, it may have been better to scratch up the underside of the top of the bolt and the top of the stop bar. As it was, I had to set up the multi-meter and use a screwdriver to 'tune' the bolt until I found the one position where it would complete the circuit.

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Used a screwdriver to scratch out the edges of the string holes. Even then, I had to test each string once it was at tension.

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After an initial setup and playing it in over the weekend, I quite like it. I didn't have high expectations for a first go. The stock pickups sound alright, though I think the guitar has a really good unplugged tone that the stock pickups just don't convey.

It's not finished in any case, the tuner screws haven't been installed and I still need to attach all the plastic covers. The stock parts are just a stepping stone to see what difference upgrades make.

On all the black hardware i have used i have had to sand it back to get an earth.

Looking back at the last posts, I got so close to finishing but things went downhill quickly with this and my other build to the point that working on them was a chore.

The electronics killed it for me on this build, and when that was sorted the high e string kept breaking so this guitar has been on the rack gathering dust for two years. I only recently discovered the lazy solution of top wrapping the stings and it seems this guitar is quite the sleeper.

It actually sounds more like a tele than a Les Paul. At a jam session recently I lent it to a guitarist friend who said he preferred it over my 80s Fender Japan Telecaster.

I've got a sound demo here. As well as the obligatory photos.

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I always felt bad for not finishing my build diaries, especially after all the help and support from the community here.

So here it is the end of the build diary. Better late than never. Thanks for all the help and encouragement.

That's a lovely bit of wood, turned into a cracking looking guitar. Glad you've got them finished. :)

Welcome back Blueshound. Sound demo is great and pics came up fantastic.

Doesn't matter how long these things take, just as long as you are happy with the finished product.

In the end a playable guitar is the aim. Glad you got the beast working.

Thanks all. Now it's just a question of whether or not to start another one.

But since I'm reading the forum again, I guess I already know the answer to that.