Les Paul Prototype Build

normula1

If there's any left when you've finished, there's a patch on my garden gate that needs a top up

normula1

How on earth are you using Hammerite?

WezV

normula1 said:

How on earth are you using Hammerite?

I was looking for a green paint of the right tone and texture.... it’s pretty close

i am using very small amounts rubbed on the high wear areas, rubbed off with white spirit when it was too much.  End result is quite nice but I will re-evaluate once dry.


 I do have a whole tin left so if you need some for the gate it can be arranged.  

normula1

WezV said

 
 I do have a whole tin left so if you need some for the gate it can be arranged.  

Shhhh..... the wife may be listening, I've got enough "dad jobs" to do

Danielsguitars

WezV said:

normula1 said:

How on earth are you using Hammerite?

I was looking for a green paint of the right tone and texture.... it’s pretty close

i am using very small amounts rubbed on the high wear areas, rubbed off with white spirit when it was too much.  End result is quite nice but I will re-evaluate once dry.


 I do have a whole tin left so if you need some for the gate it can be arranged.  

if it works you can post some my way, i'm on the iron oxide and vinegar now, just hope the laquer holds up with the amount of abuse it's had

WezV

it naptha based so won't harm the nitro in small doses, although i am sure it would stain it if left on for too long but that isn't an issue here

The results are pretty good.   


I think I am nearly done  messing with this

Teyeplayer

Flipping heck, this looks better every time you post a pic. Fantastic work.

Bridgehouse

I'm beginning to think @WezV is doing a Blue Peter on us and has secretly got hold of a real prototype and has done a sneaky swap with one he *ahem* prepared earlier...

WezV

Bridgehouse said:

I'm beginning to think @WezV is doing a Blue Peter on us and has secretly got hold of a real prototype and has done a sneaky swap with one he *ahem* prepared earlier...

No.  I started with an original and stripped it back to bare wood.  I am just posting the photos in reverse.


in all all seriousness that blue Peter approach is prevelant amongst relicers. They give a bit of info on the processes they use but often skip key steps/secrets 

i am hoping I have shown that a blade technique can be made to work, but needs quite a bit of effort afterwards to make it look right

Jalapeno

Awesomesauce !!!!

normula1

I've just bought the Dream Machines mag and your build is very much in the same ball park as the "real thing" they show.

WezV

Well it’s wired and strung up.  A few jobs left to do.

firstly, I wired the Pickups the wrong way round.  I often like to have the bridge volume next to the bridge.  I know it’s wrong, but it’s how my first epiphone was wired and since I mainly used the bridge pickup it suited me well. but I decided to go traditional layout on this when wiring in the switch the other day... then defaulted to my preferred option when wiring in the Pickups.   On well, just a couple or wires to swap.

i also need to shim the bridge pickup a bit higher.  The Gretsch screws are shorter than normal P-90 screws and I don’t have enough height adjustment as it is.  Obviously the poles are not adjustable here either.  

then it’s just some nut and bridge fettling and a few plastic plates to make


its sounding pretty good already.

Rabs

Awesome stuff...   Maybe you can take over from Tom Murphy when he retires 

WezV

Oh, and it’s bang on 3.5kg at the moment.  7lb 11 1/2oz

PhilKing

It really looks great Wes.  Can't wait to see it again

WezV

99% done now.  Only thing to make and fit is a truss rod cover. I will tweak the setup as it all settles in over the next few weeks but i have a nice low action as it is


sounds like the offspring of a gretsch and a gibson... not surprising really

WezV

TTony

So, are you 100% sure that you're going to have  a solid finish over that lovely maple top??



Nice work as ever Wez with incredible attention to detail and technique.  Worth a wow of anyone's money.

WezV

TTony said:

So, are you 100% sure that you're going to have  a solid finish over that lovely maple top??

I have shown a little bit

SRich

Wow sincerely added. Great build thread...need to hear it now.