The next les paul(s)

TTony

Be good to see that finished - top looks stunning.

Have you still got the original pickups that you were going to use?  Any change of thinking re the finish?

WezV

TTony said:

Be good to see that finished - top looks stunning.

Have you still got the original pickups that you were going to use?  Any change of thinking re the finish?

I do have thee black staples, but currently in another of my guitars.  I also have some Oil City mini humbuckers and think they would look good with black rings in a custom.  Or I might get tempted with something different


  It will still be black.

WezV

i pre-bend the purfling and binding strips... for this one i am using 1mm thick B/W strips, 3 strips for the full 6 layers, then an extra strip of thick white binding.  


i modded an old template by adding binding ledges,    pre-bending with a heat gun and binding template like this makes it much easier when you come to glue to the guitar.  It doesnt have to be perfect at this stage, just close to final dimensions

WezV

Binding is on.... again.

will leave it taped up for a day or so

PeteC

very smart looking.  like the template pre-bending approach too. 

WezV

Never really had to bother untill I was doing multiple strips at a time.... But it definitely made things easier.

Took tape off today but it still smells a bit fumey, so it won't be scraped back today

WezV

I should say, after this was glued in place and taped up, I got some acetone in a syringe and flooded the top edge of all the binding layers.   
This wicks in any remaining gaps with capillary action and melts the binding together.    You can do this and not use any glue at all, but here it's just used for a bit if extra insurance.

It's also why it's taking longer to gas off and re-harden fully

WezV

got the binding mostly sorted.  its getting there and I hope to have it ready for spraying  at the same time as the hollowbody.

here it is with a  few random parts added...  I'm tempted to get some black rings for the mini humbuckers and use those.   Its likely going to be a heavy relic black finish

PeteC

Man!  these builds are just great, and so inspiring @WezV ;
I'm going to try my hand at binding simply because of this thread. 

That guitar in black is going to be stunning. 

Andyjr1515

Yes - that's looking nice.

JerkMoans

WezV said:

got the binding mostly sorted.  its getting there and I hope to have it ready for spraying  at the same time as the hollowbody.

here it is with a  few random parts added...  I'm tempted to get some black rings for the mini humbuckers and use those.   Its likely going to be a heavy relic black finish

That looks sexy as fuck.  FWIW I think the wood grain is so gorgeous, ?possible finish to show it in all its majesty.  The Marc Bolan vibe.  

PhilKing

Hi Wez,
I like the plain body look.  This is my Marc Bolan tribute Les Paul.

WezV

It has picked up a few marks on the sides whilst in storage, so it will be a solid finish for this one, but I might have some of the mahogany peeking through 

WezV

You have all got me thinking about a dark burst though.  Front, back, sides and neck perhaps

JerkMoans

WezV said:

You have all got me thinking about a dark burst though.  Front, back, sides and neck perhaps

Ooooh ooooh ooooh

PhilKing

That would look great on it.

TTony

WezV said:

You have all got me thinking about a dark burst though.  Front, back, sides and neck perhaps

That’s a much better idea


The top is a nice piece of wood - it deserves a finish that shows it off rather than hides it.

WezV

well i went solid black

first stage of relicing - a bit of wear and a few chips.   i have no intention of keeping it subtle on this one:D 

 

WezV

Black or cream?  i quite like how the cream ring matches with the binding, but black looks a bit sleeker i think

Also, this is second stage relicing.  Done with a knife at this stage for the general patterns i want.   Its always a bit hokey at this stage.    It will get another polish now with helps make it all look a lot more natural... then its onto dirt which is when it starts looking like i want

PeteC

Black for me !
looking forward to seeing what you do with the dirt phase.   This looks great ( as ever Wez )