Bridge fix ES kit question

[DanMade]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from stan on August 23, 2013, 22:33
I wonder if plugging the holes and then making slightly tapered maple plugs and sanding would do it, much like weirdy's idea

That would work. You would just need to make sure that the visible end of the plug would need to be face grain and not end grain. You would need a piece of maple as thick as the holes are deep to cut the plug out of.

[WeirdBits]

In the upper left of this pic you can see a plug repair that I did using dissimilar wood types (Alder body and an Aussie Hardwood plug) finished with Wudtone Goldenrod. The plug was to fill a worm hole through a knot, so I always knew it would be a visible repair (it was my first attempt at something like this). I'm fairly confident that with carefully matched wood/veneer caps, and care and patience with the repair you could get a much better, if not almost invisible, result.

[stan]

hmmm, looks good considering the miss match. I wonder if DB has some off cuts...

[WeirdBits]

Regarding the floating bridge height, check the specs for the StewMac archtop TOM bridge and compare it to the kit's bridge and bushings.

Oh, and ALS Maple veneers, if you're interested.

[Gavin1393]

I'd be routing two racing stripes as Brendan suggested from the pickup cavity up to the binding. Use a router bit and straight piece of Jarrah or similar hardwood the same size for a nice tight fit. Glue these in place then drill the holes CORRECTLY for the lefty! Reckon this would give a great result and you could still use Wudtone and show off that gorgeous flamed maple top!

[stan]

Or do something like a Corvette Les Paul...

[stan]

Thanks Dan, Wierdy and Gav, plent of food for thought and great help

[Gavin1393]

Stan, that Corvette Idea is really interesting...not something I would have thought of at first but could really work well...

Probably stick to a smaller version focussed around the bridge area because of the curvature of the ES body....

[stan]

I was thinking that Gav, bring the edges in line with the pups and either go around the tail piece or straight out to the rear