PGK '59 Single Cut' #2

chrisw67

After putting the first 'Single Cut' kit together, I wanted to do another one, but it had to be a little more special... The first one had already replaced my Gibson LP Standard as my main gigging guitar, so naturally, I wanted a sister for it!

This time, I went for a quilted top, but all the other specs were the same - chambered one piece mahogany body, etc. The only other differences were the addition of an ebony veneer for the headstock and pre-drilled tailpiece and bridge holes... So, this is how it went...

How the kit turned up
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 01_zpsav8zl96w.jpg

Instead of a decal, I got hold of a sheet of celluloid and a jeweller's saw, so I could have a crack at my own headstock inlay
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 03_zpstbuchvnn.jpg

Cutting out the slots for the inlay with a Dremel using small down-cut router attachments
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 07_zpsgsb6yhsi.jpg

Test fitting... This was actually the second attempt - I wasn't happy with the way the pattern on the celluloid turned out
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 11_zpsmjhrehr6.jpg

I used water-based pore filler for this one. Never again - it's ghastly stuff! Much better to use tinted thixotropic, imho
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 13_zpsywempqov.jpg

Again, metal-complex alcohol-based dye sprayed on for the top, and aniline red for the back - I wanted to use the aniline because I wanted the back and sides to fade to a nice chestnut brown - which they have done
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 25_zps9yctu9zs.jpg

And after the top coats had been applied, I thought I'd compare weights in grams...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 26_zpsavvqjceb.jpg

For this one, I wanted to wind my own pickups with a pickup winder that I made... Bridge pup is a 9k Alnico II, and the Neck pickup is an 8k Alnico IV
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 27_zpscdvwrin1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 29_zpsrterttue.jpg

Machines are Kluson top-locks with metal tulip buttons. The bridge and aluminium tailpiece are Gotoh
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 33_zpsuvyyliqj.jpg

And again, the finished article...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 31_zps4clcfwhd.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/walkdev/LP Builds/LP Std 2 32_zpsnyiskxdf.jpg

This one is now my main guitar... Thing is, I don't have one with a Bigsby, or any other trem... yet...  

TTony

That's a wow from me!

chrisw67

Thanks, Tony! People seem to like this one!

timmysoft

That is awesome, i love how you even made the pickups, thats a real skill and i'm very envious! Great job, you should be very proud of your builds.

Andyjr1515

Looks great!  Particularly like the headstock inlays

AustrianJohn

Great job - attention to detail is fantastic.

simonbeckwith

What a beaut! Great work

Jez6345789

Was the top straight dye or did you use a darker colour and sandback to pop the grain.

nice build

BigMonka

The inlay looks great, and a definite wow for making your own pickup winder then winding your own pickups! How does it sound?