GlennGPs LP1 - Le Bombardier

If I'm not building, I'm dreaming, and my wife has posed the "just how many guitars do you want?" question. I think we all know that "want" and "need" are two quite different things, and while we have children to clothe and feed and educate I won't be building heaven's guitar collection any time soon. However, "need" is a different matter, and I think I've managed to be convincing with the line "Les Pauls have a totally different sound and feel, and it would complement the TL-1 in a very basic collection". So I'm dreaming of a an LP-1 with minimal modifications under the bonnet, and some modest cosmetic changes.

I really like bursts on LPs, but I'm a dedicated herd non-follower, so it's got to be a little bit different. Doing a google image search I came across a burst from black at the outer edge to colour on the inside.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...Concept-07.jpg

I really like that. Then I had a look at the Wudtone colours that would work best with this effect, and came up with Carmine Gypsy, Saffron (or Burning Sun) and Azure Lagoon.

A few of you already know there's a neat tool for pre-visualising your build, located at http://www.yajimastringworks.com/tct...-kisekae-e.asp. So I went over there and made a series of images. I've made three montages from those images, one for each of the colour schemes, and numbered each concept. In each case I started with the standard PBG equipment on the colour scheme, and then started mucking about with other parts to find pleasing visual effects. I pretty quickly decided I like leaving the pickguard off, and that black glass knobs are my thing. Other changes are just to see what it might look like with different things swapped out. I haven't picked a favourite concept yet, but I am partial to the Carmine Gypsy ones and the Azure Lagoon ones. Feel free to nominate your favourite and tell me why.

As for the name ... well, as I've said elsewhere, I like tricking the eye by applying decals which look like the brand at first glance, but are actually a custom name. In this case, I'd be putting "Glenn's" up where "Gibson" is usually on the headstock - luckily the first letter is the same, so the optical illusion is working so far. The first concept I did was the red and black one, and I immediately thought of Essendon, The Bombers. I'm not actually a supporter (of any team), but I know that "Le Bombardier" is French for "The Bomber", and would pass the casual optical illusion test for "Les Paul". So that explains the name. That, and I ran out of bright Cold War reference ideas.

Here's the first montage, others in posts following.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...sy-montage.jpg

Saffron (or Burning Sun) burst concepts.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...on-montage.jpg

Azure Lagoon burst concepts.


http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...on-montage.jpg

Now that would be a really stunning colour scheme with a lot of "presence"
Hope you can sway "she who must be obeyed" into agreeing to this admirable project.
Hey, it's only a few weeks 'til Christmas and "presents" after all . . .

My money is on combos #4 and #6 and maybe #17 in your concept pics.

wow Glenn, some nice ideas.

I like the all black hardware for these -so my preferences (for what that it worth) are: 6,4,17,11

have fun!

Yeah, that's pretty close to where I come down, Stan. Once you put that black outer burst on it, it's hard not to go with black hardware! However, I wanted to see what it would look like with the stock pups too, because upgrades may be an iterative process.

Great looking mockups, Glenn. 6, 7 and 17 would be my picks.

Wow Glenn looks awesum loving the Azure 16 or 17 are my picks. Another great build about to start

1, 2, 7 and 13 are all my picks, I just love pickguards on Les Pauls :P

3, 15 and 16, I like the look of.

Did you try a black pickgaurd. Could be another option.

Thanks for posting the link, what a great way to do concept designs.

Thanks for the input Dan. I did try a black pickguard, but it didn't work with the black outer burst - the forms got merged in a quite unpleasant way, and I immediately discarded that idea. That's why it doesn't turn up amongst the concepts pictured above.

And yes, part of the idea here was to demonstrate a neat way to pre-visualise your build!

I've just priced this up. The basic LP-1 and Wudtone Burst kit come in just under $240. I haven't factored in colour for the neck, because I haven't really worked out how to do it yet. Add between $80 and $200 for pickups if/when I decide to replace those. The black hardware (stop tailpiece, bridge, knobs, pickup and toggle surrounds) comes in around $50 (plus postage). All up, the project is a shade under $400 - call it square once those unexpected extras are factored in. I think this is definitely going to be done in stages!

Any hints on doing the neck and headstock? Is BMW the way to go, or should I be thinking of something else?

If it is a LP-1 kit with a Maple neck (as opposed to a Mahogany neck on a LP-1SS) you may also need to factor in Wudtone wood/colour compatability, as some body colours aren't ideal on Maple. It may be tough to get the BMW black enough on the neck/headstock to match the body.

Thanks Scott, I'd forgotten about the "Wudtone-wood compatibility" issue, and upon checking the table over in the Wudtone threads, the maple cap and neck of the LP-1 are rated highly unsuitable for Black Magic Woman.

So, I need suggestions for a dye-only black stain with which to achieve a non-sprayed outer burst. Has anyone done this before?

(Packing now for the naughty corner - is the wifi up yet?)

In any case, I have the concepts narrowed down to 3, 12 or 16 at this point. Probably between 3 or 16 if I'm honest. I have a yellow guitar already, and I don't like repeating myself, so it's really between the Carmine Gypsy and the Azure Lagoon.

The option is open to upgrade the pups to open coil humbuckers in the future, which would make the ultimate guitar either 6 or 17. I'll isolate and print out 3 and 16 and spend a few weeks letting one grow on me. When I get home tonight I'll do a mini montage of the shortlist side-by-side, so you can all share the agony. I'm generous like that.

You could try forking over a bit more $$$ for a wood veneer? Or even maybe a custom graphic with a logo?

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from GlennGP on November 15, 2013, 06:40
(Packing now for the naughty corner - is the wifi up yet?)

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Yes it is up and running and we have already been forced to upgrade the router due to the excessive demands on bandwidth. Someone, not mentioning any names, was downloading plenty guitar-porn!

Good to hear, Gavin!

Okay, as promised, here's the shortlist, and I'm already feeling partial to the Azure Lagoon.

Here are the concepts with stock pups and then with the open coils.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...-shortlist.jpg

azure and black on black. Not enough blue axes in the world....

Hi Glenn,
You were asking about a black dye based stain, and also about the walnut colour on my latest build.
I did answer you in my build thread but in case you didn't see it.....

In the Feast Watson Prooftint range of stains they do both a Black and a Japan Black.
I have got the Japan Black and it is very black. Think it would be good for what you're after.
They are a dye based stain and are available in handy little 50ml bottles for about $7 - $8.
More than enough or a few builds, it goes a long way.
I did the blend on my tobacco burst by rubbing the stains on with rags, and they blended really nicely.
First time I have used this method...I sprayed the burst on my LP by mixing dye into lacquer.
Try both the blacks on some offcuts and see what you think.
Cheers,
Andy

Azure lagoon with black hardware.
I am sure no matter what you go for its going to look awesum

Ah, thanks for posting here too Andy, sometimes I forget which threads I'm watching for answers ... ! That sounds like what I'm after. I guess I'm going straight to the naughty corner, given where I can most conveniently find this stuff.

Got to agree with Stan and Tim. It's black on Azure Lagoon for sure.

cheers,
Gav.

+1 for black on Azure.

Should look stunning Glenn.

rob

Well, I think that's decided. Black hardware on Black to Azure burst.

Thanks for all the input - even though it mostly confirmed my inclination it's nice to know other people might like the look of it!

Now I just have to wait for the right number of dollars to accumulate in the piggy bank. This thread may therefore not resurface before about February.

There again, I might just go ahead and buy all the black hardware at 20% off in Guitar Fetish's Black Friday sale! Woo-hoo!

Do it!

Done.!

You impulsive devil.

yeah Glenn!

Good on you Glenn! I'm very jealous. I've been wanting to drop a dime on GFS all weekend but the financial controller keeps looking over my shoulder ;).

cheers,
Gav.