Les Paul build -Hugh

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22-01-2016, 06:25 PM
Hugh

Les Paul build -Hugh

Hi all
I just bought a Les Paul kit and am looking forward to getting stuck into it. I'll admit I don't have too much idea what I'm doing so I'm sure to be picking people's brains for hints and tips..

Cheers Hugh
22-01-2016, 09:33 PM
gavinturner

Hey Hugh, I'm sure you're gonna love the experience. Post lots of pictures and the gang here will be ever ready with helpful suggestions ;). Looking forward to seeing your build develop.

cheers,
Gav.
23-01-2016, 01:54 PM
Hugh

I appreciate it Gav
29-01-2016, 01:52 PM
Hugh

Hey guys, just a couple of quick questions..
How and where do you apply shielding tape on an LP kit and is there any video tutorials on this subject? Is it necessary/what are the advantages/disadvantages of using shielding tape?
Also, if planning on leaving the neck the natural timber tone can you just treat it with the intensifying coat and finish coat from the body staining kit or is it Necessary to use a specific neck staining kit??
Cheers in advance
Hugh
29-01-2016, 02:08 PM
wokkaboy

Hi Hugh,
copper shielding will reduce interference and your guitar will have less hum and background noises. It is well worth doing. If you got 1 kit then start applying it to the control cavity and control cover first. Then switch cavity, then if you have enough left both the pickup cavities. You won't need a video, just peel off the backing paper carefully and push down into the cavities and try and get the wrinkles out. Cut some pieces to size like sides of cavities. Try cover the entire surface of the cavities. You will get the knack pretty quickly.

What is the stain colour DT have you got ?

DB recommends a neck coat kits for necks as it dries a bit harder for the work a neck will have.

Would be worth ordering a clear neck DT kit if you want the natural timber colour.

Hope this helps

EDIT I did a quick Youtube search and here's a tutorial may give you some tips, I haven't watched it yet, was the first search video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1da3f_q-S4
29-01-2016, 02:38 PM
Hugh

Thanks Wokkaboy
Yes that does help.. I haven't chosen a stain yet, I really wanted to get some of these questions sorted before I ordered anything so I could get it all (stains, shielding tape) in the one order.
Thanks for your help, I will take a quiz at the video link..
Cheers Hugh
29-01-2016, 03:12 PM
tonyw

From my notes i have taken over the years haha

Lets look at what causes the interference

#1. The basic sixty cycle hum caused by single coil pickups.
#2. Hum A caused by unshielded circuits
#3. Hum B caused by inferior light dimmers.

for #1. Use a dual coil system to neutralize external magnetic fields. Shielding does not reduce the hum.
for #2. Hum A can be eliminated by shielding with either copper tape or conductive paint.
for #3 Hum B can be only eliminated by shielding the circuit including the cavities below the pickup with aluminum tape.

There are many ways to shield a guitar, and many are incorrect, do some research and you will be on the right path.
08-02-2016, 06:48 PM
Hugh

Sorry guys, Ive been trying to upload pics of my progress but nothing seems to be working!!
08-02-2016, 07:32 PM
DrNomis_44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Sorry guys, Ive been trying to upload pics of my progress but nothing seems to be working!!

That might just be because the image file size is a bit too big, the image itself can only be about 1500 pixels by 1250 pixels for it to be posted, when I first joined the forum I was experiencing the same issue whenever I tried to post a pic until I figured out what the fix was, what type of computer are you using to upload the pic?, also, what operating system is it running?, if it's a PC and you're running Windows, you can use a free bit of software called Irfanview to re-size the image so it'll post correctly, I use it all the time with great results.
09-02-2016, 08:56 PM
Hugh

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 8523
This is my LP kit stained with Bush fire Sunrise dingo tone, still to apply the intensifying coat..
09-02-2016, 09:01 PM
Hugh

Thanks DrNomis, I downloaded it and it worked. The pics don't come out great, but at least I could get something to actually upload..
Cheers mate
09-02-2016, 09:28 PM
DrNomis_44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Thanks DrNomis, I downloaded it and it worked. The pics don't come out great, but at least I could get something to actually upload..
Cheers mate

No worries at all, your LP build is looking good so far.
09-02-2016, 09:39 PM
dingobass

Looking good, Hugh.
10-02-2016, 06:38 AM
andrewdosborne

Looking good Hugh. The Dingotone looks great on the spalt.
10-02-2016, 06:48 AM
stan

Nice work Hugh, first one I've seen with a coloured top, looks good
10-02-2016, 08:02 PM
Hugh

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 8563
First layer of Dingotone intensifying coat..
10-02-2016, 08:06 PM
Hugh

..and cheers for the support too guys, it's a good community you've got going here..
10-02-2016, 08:20 PM
dingobass

Veeery tasty LP ya got going there, Hugh.
11-02-2016, 02:12 AM
Andy40

Wow thats a really cool pattern in the spalted maple hugh!
11-02-2016, 08:52 AM
Fretworn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Attachment 8563
First layer of Dingotone intensifying coat..

Reminds me of old wooden furniture, and that is not a bad thing. Looking really good so far.
11-02-2016, 08:53 AM
Hugh

Thanks Dingobass, Fretworm and Andy40
It is a good piece.. If you notice there is almost like a flame formation in the grain. I actually toyed with the idea of staining that area with a red colour then contrasting the rest of the body with say coolangatta gold to highlight the flame formation... I decided against the idea as I thought it may look a little 'dickie'. But I am happy with the kit I was sent all the same..
11-02-2016, 08:57 AM
tonyw

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Attachment 8563
First layer of Dingotone intensifying coat..

Love the rustic look..
11-02-2016, 09:08 AM
Hugh

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingobass

Veeery tasty LP ya got going there, Hugh.

Thanks DB, I am happy with the Kit sent to me. Only problem is if you notice I think I may have missread the grain around the edges near the control knob holes and on the opposite side near the top, it's hard to tell from these pics though. Not sure how noticable it will be or whether to just leave it in as a little 'character' for the guitar..
11-02-2016, 09:13 AM
wokkaboy

coming along really well Hugh, love how the spalt pattern looks so cool.
Great colour bushfire sunrise one of my favourite DT colours
11-02-2016, 09:18 AM
dingobass

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Thanks DB, I am happy with the Kit sent to me. Only problem is if you notice I think I may have missread the grain around the edges near the control knob holes and on the opposite side near the top, it's hard to tell from these pics though. Not sure how noticable it will be or whether to just leave it in as a little 'character' for the guitar..

That's a moot question, do I sand it to absolute perfection?
Personally, I delberatly leave a few areas that could be perfectly sanded just shy of that perfection.
Why? Because it is a hand made instrument and those little areas give the instrument a warmth and character that sets it apart from all others.

If you ever get the chance to closely inspect a Guitar made by Perry Ormsby, you will see small, deliberate areas that are not "perfect".
IMHO, Perry is more than a Luthier, His instruments are individual works of playable sculpture, and in my mind that is what sets his work apart from most others.
I have much the same philosophy with my builds. Trick is to get these deliberate areas to look like they are meant to be there.
That takes two things. Time on the tools and the ability to not be precious about the build.
11-02-2016, 12:18 PM
FrankenWashie

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingobass

That's a moot question, do I sand it to absolute perfection?
Personally, I delberatly leave a few areas that could be perfectly sanded just shy of that perfection.
Why? Because it is a hand made instrument and those little areas give the instrument a warmth and character that sets it apart from all others.

If you ever get the chance to closely inspect a Guitar made by Perry Ormsby, you will see small, deliberate areas that are not "perfect".
IMHO, Perry is more than a Luthier, His instruments are individual works of playable sculpture, and in my mind that is what sets his work apart from most others.
I have much the same philosophy with my builds. Trick is to get these deliberate areas to look like they are meant to be there.
That takes two things. Time on the tools and the ability to not be precious about the build.

I just checked out the Ormsby site. I think I messed myself. Their Hypermachines are something else.
11-02-2016, 12:23 PM
DrNomis_44

That LP of yours has a nice earthy tone to it, should look great once it's all finished Hugh, apparently the veneers on some PBG kits are thin and if you sand too much you can end up sanding through it.

I'm going to be starting my first ever PBG kit soon after I get it ordered next Tuesday, it's the STA-1M kit, feel free to check out my build diary.
11-02-2016, 07:41 PM
Hugh

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingobass

That's a moot question, do I sand it to absolute perfection?
Personally, I delberatly leave a few areas that could be perfectly sanded just shy of that perfection.
Why? Because it is a hand made instrument and those little areas give the instrument a warmth and character that sets it apart from all others.

If you ever get the chance to closely inspect a Guitar made by Perry Ormsby, you will see small, deliberate areas that are not "perfect".
IMHO, Perry is more than a Luthier, His instruments are individual works of playable sculpture, and in my mind that is what sets his work apart from most others.
I have much the same philosophy with my builds. Trick is to get these deliberate areas to look like they are meant to be there.
That takes two things. Time on the tools and the ability to not be precious about the build.

Thanks Dingo Bass, that actually makes me feel a bit better about the whole thing.. cheers
11-02-2016, 07:47 PM
Hugh

[QUOTE=DrNomis_44;95826]apparently the veneers on some PBG kits are thin and if you sand too much you can end up sanding through it.

QUOTE]
Ahh.. I see, that could explain it because I did sand the body a lot!! Especially those particular areas as I was trying to 'fix' where I had gone across the grain a little.. Maybe I've sanded the veneer off in those places??
14-02-2016, 09:48 AM
Hugh

5 Attachment(s)

Attachment 8659 Attachment 8660 Attachment 8661 Attachment 8662 Attachment 8663
3rd layer of the intensifying coat of Bushfire Sunrise for the body and head stock.
Only 1 coat of clear stain for the neck as I was pretty happy with it's tone after the first application.
14-02-2016, 12:29 PM
FrankenWashie

Thats such a minimal looking finish but with the figuring in the wood grain it pops so much. Very pretty, you should be immensely proud of that effort Hugh.
14-02-2016, 03:01 PM
Hugh

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

Thats such a minimal looking finish but with the figuring in the wood grain it pops so much. Very pretty, you should be immensely proud of that effort Hugh.

Thanks FrankenWashie, I was just lucky I got a nice piece of timber.... I'm looking forward to seeing how it will look with the finishing coat applied.
15-02-2016, 04:44 PM
Hugh

3 Attachment(s)

Attachment 8695 Attachment 8696 Attachment 8697
First layer of finish on the neck, looks pretty good I reckon.
About wednesday or thursday I will put the first layer of finish on the main body of the guitar.. really looking forward to seeing how that turns out!!
15-02-2016, 05:46 PM
andrewdosborne

Yes, that is one nice looking neck!

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk
16-02-2016, 01:02 PM
Hugh

Can or Should I steel wool the neck between coats of the finishing layers?
Also what about steel wool between layers of the finish coat on the main body?
16-02-2016, 01:12 PM
wokkaboy

Hi Hugh, can't hurt to do a light fine steel wool between clear coats.
Build is coming along nicely. It's not too late to put a shape in the headstock would really personalise the build
16-02-2016, 03:12 PM
Hugh

Thanks Wokkaboy, I think I will give it a light rub between coats.
I also think I might shape the head stock a little too!
16-02-2016, 04:54 PM
Hugh

By the way, what's the best way to shape the headstock guys??
Jigsaw or coping saw??
16-02-2016, 05:05 PM
dingobass

Jig saw is faster, but then you will have to sand and refinish..
16-02-2016, 05:10 PM
Hugh

Thanks DingoBass..
I found the video guide after I'd posted this

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