In 2003, I finished the plans for a guitar based on one I made back in high school in 1998. The original guitar left a lot to be desired due in the most part to the fact that I had access to exactly zero source material on luthiery and well, to put it bluntly because i was only 15!! A further 15 years, 6 guitars, numerous books, an internet connection and a cabinet making and furniture finishing qualification later, the project is shaping up and heading toward completion.
The guitar in question is left handed and based on my teenage influences and has shaped up to be a kind of a Les Paul Reed Smithenbacker.
It is a solid body carved top six string electric constructed from walnut with a flamed maple top cap and head stock cap with an ebony fingerboard.
The guitar will boast 2 Seymour Duncan humbuckers - a Pearly Gates in the Neck position and a Custom 5 at the bridge. both pickups will be split/series parallel selectable with a phase option. this in it’s self is experimental for me but i’m looking forward to seeing what these options will present. The tuners are schaller locking tuners. M6 I believe.
The body will be finished in nitrocellulose lacquer over the top of an aniline dyed top in a red/brown burst.
I would like to share my progress via the pictures I’ve taken up to this point with the intention of further adding photographs as I complete the build. Enjoy!
- Some of the raw material
- The walnut rough shaped with some of the material removed for weight
- Mock up next to the original for comparison. Top cap is glued and edge is routed to final depth ready for curved top
- Mock up with electrics positioned. The controls are attached to a cardboard template and the carve has been started
- The position so far - The neck is currently glued and is drying. Just the pickup cavities, bridge positioning and final sanding required before I can apply the finish and fittings.
