Tweaky's ES-1 build, with P90's

[Jbird]

As for the binding along he body... Gibson acoustics leave the binding so as far as looming amateurish... I don't think it would

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[stan]

Nice work tweaks, interesting stuff about the polymer clay. Does it feel like ceramic or plastic when dry?
You've reminded me I have a pair of 12" vintage 30's in the garage I need to make a cab from....

[Tweaky]

With the polymer clay, it depends what brand you use, brands like Premo, Sculpey and Fimo all tend to be softer than KATO, which if you were wanting to try this material, would be the brand I'd recommend.

It would get as hard as binding material, but not at brittle as pickguard material. you can shine it with progressive sanding to micro mesh for a really sprayed poly like mirror shine.

It depends how long you bake it for to a certain extent as well, but that can change the colour of it if you go too long.

[Tweaky]

As for the binding along he body... Gibson acoustics leave the binding so as far as looming amateurish... I don't think it would

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I had to laugh after reading your post.
You know what, I've owned a Gibson Hummingbird for a while now, and never bothered to have a look at the back ....sure enough there was the binding strip


The thing is, I've been comparing this ES clone build to my Gibson ES-347, especially at the heel block, the Gibson clearly doesn't have a binding strip between the body and neck.


I suppose it depends what colour I end up with [still undecided months after buying this kit ] on if I leave it or not.
The binding left on, on the hummingbird, sort of get's away with it because of the mahogany back, I'm not sure I could if I went a darker colour on this build....that's the concern.

Part of me is saying 'Leave it, you won't notice it, and it's not really going to make a difference' and the other side of me is saying 'You know you could have fixed this at the beginning'

I've got a question for you Jbird.
I see you work at Gibsons Acoustic plant in Montana, and you posted that you worked on the Monarch.

It's just a question regarding the ebony headstock veneer on that model, how thick is it?
A few people have bought headstock veneer at this forum, usually [2 mm - 1/16th] thick and have wanted to put it on their guitars, but it means thinning down the headstock base wood to the equivalent amount, so that the tuners will still fit.
I see the Monarch is veneered in Ebony both front and back, and binded around both front and back of the headstock, so I can't see how thick the veneer is.
I imagine it would have to be at least 1mm thick to hold the pearl inlay.


I, and those others who have thought about doing this veneering on the headstock, have either not done it because of fears that thinning down the maple neck headstock might make the structural integrity of the neck suspect, or bitten the bullet and only done it of one side of the headstock, I've yet to see anybody that has done it on both sides.

That's why it would be nice to know what Gibson does on this model....it might give us who want to try it some confidence .... or at least let us know we need to source a thinner veneer if we do want to do it.

[Jbird]

So the veneer is the same thickness as the binding on these however the back of the head is not thinned at all... there's a small volute where the neck meets the headstock to compensate for the back veneer. I'm not positive on the thickness but I will check today if I can!

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[Jbird]

The other idea I had for you was to grind the heel down and put a heel cap on it...

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[Tweaky]

I'm hearing you.


How we, or anybody can do the same.
Please tell.

[Jbird]

Patience and lots of sanding.... when white wooding I can usually do about 4 guitars an hour however with higher end models (monarchs and gallery's) they can take 2 hours for just one....

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[Tweaky]

Love your honesty mate....... sort of explains why Gibson Montana [Acoustic ] is highly rated.....and Nashville Gibson Electric .... well Nashville is , Nashville.....just be glad you don't live there.

Just curious
Is Montana plant union free?

I know that was the reason for demise of the Tennessee plant

[Tweaky]

Curiosity.
Why is somebody that works at Gibson Guitars, posting at a Guitar Kit Forum ?

We must be in the same industry