London Plane DC Build

GSPBASSES · July 2020

I use the stuff in the link below to remove any sticky mess left by type or sticky labels, It does not leave any residual whatsoever or stain the wood.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mykal-Sticky-Stuff-Remover-250ml/dp/B000TAT4GM/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Sticky+remover&qid=1593808877&sr=8-5

PeteC · July 2020

That looks very useful I tried two types of binding tape - one cheap generic and one "luthier" and both left residue and strips of fibres which took a lot of scraping and shifting. Thanks for the tip

One of the best Melody Maker style guitars I have seen Steve - looks like its going to be a great guitar. You're work is so neat and precise.

SteveRobinson · July 2020

I fitted the neck yesterday and today I've grain filled the mahogany, ready for some lacquer in the week.

Image: https://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/wp3/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_20200704_101750220.jpg

I might re-carve the heel first though to take away some of the thickness there...

SteveRobinson · July 2020

I sprayed a sealer coat of clear lacquer and the London plane has taken on a lovely golden hue.

Image: https://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/wp3/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_20200706_150523737.jpg

PeteC · July 2020

oh yes ....very nice top indeed ! Love that contrast with the B/W binding.

Jalapeno · July 2020

Ruddy marvellous !

Rabs · July 2020

Ohh yeah.. Thats the stuff

Never get sick of looking at that grain.. Nice work. We need a whole body shot now.. Thats just a tease

PhilKing · July 2020

That clear coat has really made the wood pop. It looks great and I bet it's a great contrast to the tortoiseshell binding.

SteveRobinson · July 2020

Thanks everyone.

Rabs said:

Ohh yeah.. Thats the stuff Never get sick of looking at that grain.. Nice work. We need a whole body shot now.. Thats just a tease

I will once it's looking a bit more even. I've flatted the first coat back and will get another on tomorrow, maybe some colour on the back and sides too. I'm not going to colour the top at all.

TTony · July 2020

That looks real class Steve - beautiful work.

Am I right in thinking that the neck tenon doesn't go far into the body - ie not as far as the neck p'up cavity?

SteveRobinson · July 2020

TTony said:

That looks real class Steve - beautiful work.

Am I right in thinking that the neck tenon doesn't go far into the body - ie not as far as the neck p'up cavity?

Thanks, and yes that's right it runs a few mm short of the fretboard end.

Andyjr1515 · July 2020

It's a beautiful wood, isn't it

Great job too @SteveRobinson ;

Roland · July 2020

SteveRobinson said:

I've got the top routed now, it's having mini humbuckers, in Firebird style surrounds.

Steve, how did you cut the slot for the switch?

SteveRobinson · July 2020

Roland said:
Steve, how did you cut the slot for the switch?

@Roland ;I used a trick someone (I forget who sorry) mentioned on here. I drilled pilot holes for the screw positions and screwed down a Tele control plate. I drilled lots of 2mm holes close together inside the control plate slot then moving the drill bit side to side joined the holes. Then I removed the control plate, tidied the slot using a small flat file and drilled out the fixing holes with a 3.6mm bit.

I'd previously always used a Dremel and the StewMac router base; this method is less prone to errors and produced just as good a result.

Where the switch locates inside the cavity I've thinned the top to about 3mm with a pass of a 1/2" bit. It's probably a bit longer than it needed to be. I originally cut the Les Paul style cavity intending a different control layout so was a bit constrained by it.

Image: https://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/wp3/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_20200701_152408315.jpg

Roland · July 2020

Thanks Steve. That’s very helpful. I’ve previously drilled end holes for the slot and connected them with a Stanley knife and metal edge. It’s OK when the switch is parallel with the grain, but more risky when it’s cross grain or at an angle. My Klein build has a cross grain slot, and the wood doesn’t cut cleanly, even with a sharp blade. I’ll try multiple holes.

Roland · July 2020

This build is excellent. A marvellous advertisement for your work.

WezV · July 2020

SteveRobinson said:

I've got the top routed now, it's having mini humbuckers, in Firebird style surrounds.

those torty pickup rings look good!

SteveRobinson · July 2020

WezV said:
those torty pickup rings look good!

Thank you for the Etsy tip @WezV! ;

I'm as yet undecided whether to use them and think I'll use them and no pickguard or use gold rings and a torty guard. Both would be tortoise overkill I think. I'll see what it looks like when I start to assemble.

WezV · July 2020

depends on pickup covers i think.

I think torty rings and a small black bevelled 5-ply guard would look rather good with the colour the top is going. I'm not sure it really needs a guard though

TTony · July 2020

SteveRobinson said:

Roland said:
Steve, how did you cut the slot for the switch?

@Roland ;I used a trick someone (I forget who sorry) mentioned on here. I drilled pilot holes for the screw positions and screwed down a Tele control plate. I drilled lots of 2mm holes close together inside the control plate slot then moving the drill bit side to side joined the holes. Then I removed the control plate, tidied the slot using a small flat file and drilled out the fixing holes with a 3.6mm bit.

I'm pinching that trick too!

I'd planned on the Dremel router approach - and have done that before - but your approach sounds safer and is clearly neater.

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London Plane DC Build

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