Les Paul Prototype Build

RiftAmps

I think the relic job is spot on, looks great.

WezV

DannyP said:

I've been following this thread and wowing - but I only just noticed the WV inlaid logo - it's great!

A great variation on the G-style headstock design all-round, actually - not too close but not too divergent either!

i had those discs made up years ago and never liked them at first, too large for most f the stuff i was making at the time, they really only work on symmetrical 3 a side headstocks.  This was the last one though, and i might just stick with  waterslides moving forward

Truss rod will be the gretsch style 3-screw on this, although i did gibson style 2 screw on the last one i want a bit different here

WezV

so these won't be the best pics as i am unlikely to see daylight until the weekend, but i want to show the subtle green tint i have so far.   Its still not right, but its starting to work.  there is an overall green hue, but not the strong green in the cracks

  you can also see the wear through near the bridge pickup is looking less harsh
 

Hootsmon

Wez baby........what would you say was the difference, if any, in tone between the traditional  stop tailpiece and the trapeze set up?

WezV

worth comparing with a couple of custom s hops as well as originals

heavy aged 57
http://www.ten-guitars.de/guitar/2016-gibson-les-paul-1957-goldtop-historic-select-heavy-aged/fotos


ultra aged at only £7k
http://www.macaris.co.uk/1957-uk-exclusive-gold-top-ultra-aged/p/p158


you can see they are just spraying a dark green over high wear areas and to my eyes it looks totally disney

WezV

hootsmon said:

Wez baby........what would you say was the difference, if any, in tone between the traditional  stop tailpiece and the trapeze set up?

There is a definite different in feel.   i expected it to be a bit softer on the attack and a bit less resonant but in reality it works really well.  It could be a case that it would be more resonant with a top tail, but this one is certainly resonant enough without.   Its going to be hard to judge once plugged in as I have not gone for standard pickups i can compare to another les paul

Danielsguitars

WezV said:

worth comparing with a couple of custom s hops as well as originals

heavy aged 57
http://www.ten-guitars.de/guitar/2016-gibson-les-paul-1957-goldtop-historic-select-heavy-aged/fotos


ultra aged at only £7k
http://www.macaris.co.uk/1957-uk-exclusive-gold-top-ultra-aged/p/p158


you can see they are just spraying a dark green over high wear areas and to my eyes it looks totally disney

wow, nice ageing 

WezV

customkits said:

WezV said:

worth comparing with a couple of custom s hops as well as originals

heavy aged 57
http://www.ten-guitars.de/guitar/2016-gibson-les-paul-1957-goldtop-historic-select-heavy-aged/fotos


ultra aged at only £7k
http://www.macaris.co.uk/1957-uk-exclusive-gold-top-ultra-aged/p/p158


you can see they are just spraying a dark green over high wear areas and to my eyes it looks totally disney

wow, nice ageing 

I always say I like the story behind a relic. ... the story on the second one may involve a work experience student and a gold burst finish

Jalapeno

that 2nd one is shoddy ! Me no likee.

Danielsguitars

I don't feel so bad about mine now, although I'll probably be repainting it, I do feel this could happen a few times yet before I'm happyish, these goldtops are bloody hard to age imo

WezV

customkits said:

I don't feel so bad about mine now, although I'll probably be repainting it, I do feel this could happen a few times yet before I'm happyish, these goldtops are bloody hard to age imo

Where are the pics?  

if if you are thinking of stripping anyway it’s the perfect time to try something  more drastic before you do

Danielsguitars

WezV said:

customkits said:

I don't feel so bad about mine now, although I'll probably be repainting it, I do feel this could happen a few times yet before I'm happyish, these goldtops are bloody hard to age imo

Where are the pics?  

if if you are thinking of stripping anyway it’s the perfect time to try something  more drastic before you do

I'll try and post some up but in my eagerness to get this going I started doing the forearm wear then tried the greening thing but that soaked into the maple so now it looks really dirty on the edge, I'll probably have to bleach it
I've got some other things coming like iron oxide and white vinegar to see if that turns green naturally
When that's sorted out I might repaint

Heavy relic not easy, on the plus side the checking has come out great, I only added a few razor checking lines to the freezer ones

WezV

I think one of the areas I overlooked was a pre-treatment on the maple.   I should have done a subtle amber tint or stain as the very first step  then any wear through would already have that old wood look, and it might have prevented other staining processes soaking in as much as they did

If you look at the old ones, the maple still under sealer is actually quite clean, but slightly yellowed, and my sycamore was very white.  Something to consider for next time

Danielsguitars

WezV said:

If you look at the old ones, the maple still under sealer is actually quite clean, but slightly yellowed, and my sycamore was very white.  Something to consider for next time

spot on, I've got wood bleach coming now

WezV

The ABR-1 is here and I have stocked up on ferric chloride and hydrochloric acid ready to age some metal parts.

i have had great results with ferric chloride in the past so will probably stick with that for this guitar.  I want the acid for chrome parts on other things

Danielsguitars

I used ferric chloride on some kluson junior tuners, 3 on a plate type, it took some of the plating off, had to laugh as never had that happen before on all the other parts I've done
Must be really thin plating

WezV

customkits said:

I used ferric chloride on some kluson junior tuners, 3 on a plate type, it took some of the plating off, had to laugh as never had that happen before on all the other parts I've done
Must be really thin plating

You can be quite subtle with it.  The tuners will only get a quick dunk

Danielsguitars

WezV said:

customkits said:

I used ferric chloride on some kluson junior tuners, 3 on a plate type, it took some of the plating off, had to laugh as never had that happen before on all the other parts I've done
Must be really thin plating

You can be quite subtle with it.  The tuners will only get a quick dunk

I didn't even dunk just brushed on wiped off, the rest I've done the quick dunk no problem

WezV

it does seem to get some kinds of nickle quicker than others.  The washers from pots tend to fizz instantly.

This was all done in quick dunks in 40% Ferric Chloride, no more than 10 seconds at a time before being washed in clean water




the brass saddles have gone a bit pink but that will settle down naturally very quickly,

WezV

Final attempt for some verdigris involves green hammerite.   Let’s see how that works out.