London Plane DC Build

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SteveRobinsonSteveRobinson Frets: 6914
in Making & Modding tFB Trader
@Rab's London plane inspired me to build a guitar. So far I have the body blank cut and the top glued on.



Next job is to rout the binding channels but I'm waiting on binding so this afternoon, I thought what else I could do. 

I decided to cut the jack hole which I did - ROOKIE MISTAKE. Now the binding cutter has nowhere to follow! 

I'll have to cut what I can using the router then the couple of inches using a chisel.

Unless anyone has a better idea?
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Comments

  • TTonyTTony Frets: 27345
    Use a hole cutter to cut a piece of scrap to fit in the jack socket hole ...

    Is that a mahogany body??
    Having trouble posting images here?  This might help.
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  • SteveRobinsonSteveRobinson Frets: 6914
    edited May 2020 tFB Trader
    TTony said:
    Use a hole cutter to cut a piece of scrap to fit in the jack socket hole ...

    Is that a mahogany body??
    Yes the body is mahogany about 38mm thick.

    I don't have a 7/8" plug cutter but I'll get some dowel and give it a go.


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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16546
    I have done that before.   I just ignored that section when using the router and cut the last bit by hand with knives, chisels and files.  Not too difficult in that location as you can run a file round the edge easily to match the existing route
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  • PeteCPeteC Frets: 409
    love the figuring in that top - this is going to be good . 

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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    Looks beautiful, @SteveRobinson ;  I used the same wood on the back and sides of a couple of acoustics and they looked great.

    And yes - I've done that too ref the jack hole!  As @WezV did, I just avoided that area with the channel rout and finished off with chisels, etc..
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  • JGTayJGTay Frets: 210
    That's some nice wood...

    Bung up the hole with a rag shoved in as tight as possible and put masking tape over the top to bring it level, it should allow you to get a close enough cut. 
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  • paulnb57paulnb57 Frets: 3044
    @SteveRobinson can I ask how much the body blank weighs in comparison to Alder or Ash
    Stranger from another planet welcome to our hole - Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock 'n' roll

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  • SteveRobinsonSteveRobinson Frets: 6914
    edited June 2020 tFB Trader
    @paulnb57 ;;The London plane is only a 6mm cap, the back is mahogany. 

    I'm ready to rout the binding channels but I've decided to buy a new router so I'm holding off until it arrives. 

    I inlaid acrylic MoP fretboard dots yesterday. I drilled while the board was still square and used a fence on my drill press so they are all in a nice straight line.


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  • TTonyTTony Frets: 27345
    paulnb57 said:
    @SteveRobinson can I ask how much the body blank weighs in comparison to Alder or Ash
    I’ve got some London Plane from the forum supplier - ;) - it’s a weighty chunk of timber.
    Having trouble posting images here?  This might help.
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  • the_jaffathe_jaffa Frets: 1778
    Some of the figuring in that reminds me of the cover design of Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division.
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  • SteveRobinsonSteveRobinson Frets: 6914
    tFB Trader
    Right, binding channels cut, using @TTony's idea of filling the hole I'd prematurely made



    And binding fitted. This was a tricky job but I think it'll look okay when it's scraped back and cleaned up a bit





    Because the body has multiple binding I think the neck and headstock have to be bound too so that's my next job.

    The radius on the fretboard will make using a router impossible so I'll use a chisel.

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  • TTonyTTony Frets: 27345
    Nice work - and a lovely piece of timber!
    Having trouble posting images here?  This might help.
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  • JalapenoJalapeno Frets: 6378
    Great job !
    Imagine something sharp and witty here ......

    Feedback
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  • WazmeisterWazmeister Frets: 9446
    Steve, that grain is gorgeous !

    Talented stuff. I so envy you guys who can build like this....


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  • SteveRobinsonSteveRobinson Frets: 6914
    tFB Trader
    Steve, that grain is gorgeous !
    It is thanks, I've got a matching veneer for the headstock face. 

    Talented stuff. I so envy you guys who can build like this....
    I'm not sure about that, it's really been 90% thinking/anxiety!
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  • PeteCPeteC Frets: 409
    Nice work - this is looking lovely @SteveRobinson - that binding looks great with the plane top.  
    jack hole/binding channel solution seems to have worked very well. 
    What finish are you going to go for ? 
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  • SteveRobinsonSteveRobinson Frets: 6914
    tFB Trader
    @PeteC ;The top will be natural, maybe with a slight amber tint.

    Back, sides and neck either transparent brown or amber.

    I'd like to get some ornate hardware/pickups though and am open to suggestions. I'm open to eitherr gold or dull nickel.

    It will have a tortoiseshell pickguard of some as yet undecided design though, thin enough that the wood shows though.


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  • robertyroberty Frets: 10893
    I love that shape, the binding and the grain are class too. Looks great
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  • MattNovakMattNovak Frets: 907
    Looks lovely so far - with a slight tint and a darker back that shape will have a slight Malcom Young Gretsch vibe to it. 
    www.theflyingacesband.com
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  • CorvusCorvus Frets: 2924
    tFB Trader
    Looking nice, like the binding. Might have to talk to Rabs about some plane too.
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