Some of you newer fellows may not have heard about the Von Herndon guitar project, but a recent conversation with Mom prompted me to post this.
About 2 years ago, a local Luthier that I know offered me the parts and technical assistance/workspace to build a Les Paul Replica from a Hodge-Podge of parts left over from two unfinished Les Paul projects. Using a Les Paul Custom style theme, I embarked on the project with great enthusiasm. The goal was to build Mom and Mother's day 2017 gift - a faithful (yet cheaper) reproduction of her 1979 Les Paul Custom.
Among the pile of parts was a headstock veneer which featured the smaller, Epiphone-style split diamond. I had a local fellow modify it to accept the 'Gibson' logo. The fretboard was already affixed and the fret slots were already sawn. The body had to be glued together (which I was shown how it was done using a hydraulic press) and the neck fitted to the body. I was also on hand to watch the incredibly time consuming job of binding the body and neck!!!
Since most of the hardware was already gold, I opted for the black & gold theme.
The not-right-for-a-LPC gold kidney bean Grover's were used. A Les Paul Recording TRC was cleaned up and used. Frets were fitted (I wasn't doing fretwork back then - I just watched) and a pre-cut poly (plastic-esque) nut was already there in the box so it was also used.
The inside of the guitar was painted with shielding paint and fitted with an Epiphone wire harness and Epiphone branded HOTCH-G/57CH gold covered pickups. I added gold speed knobs with gold pointers, gold plated brass poker ship and switch tip, gold Dunlop straplocks and a gold roller bridge.
The guitar turned out really good with the bridge and tailpiece almost decked. Intonation is a perfectly staggered lightning bolt pattern and the overall fit and finish was absolutely stunning.
It was presented to Mom on Mother's day 2017
As time passed, I ventured on to my own projects and eventually launched my own 'Von Herndon' guitar line, producing 27 guitars before calling it quits.
It all started with a Stratocaster-style body and 1958 Les Paul Profile neck, cut to my specs by B.Hefner in Whittier. This guitar was essentially my "Training Wheels" in that I learned a lot about the build process - and made a tone of mistakes too.
Here is Von Herndon #1 - Now owned and played by my oldest son Robbie:
Some were built as Stratocaster style and some as Telecaster style, but all featured the 'fat' neck profile and 24.75" scale length. The headstock was a custom design - originally sketched by me - and protected under patent/trademark #87481615. Plans rendered by Jamie Unden.
Country/Rockabilly star Marty Stuart ended up with #14 - Shown on the Right in this photo:
Here are some photos from the first 3 that we built from scratch- using help from a friend and using his facility. This was essentially a 'Glamour Shot' and they were cut on CNC equipment:
After the super labor intensive first 3 of these Telecaster-eque 'StageCrafters' were built by hand, the remaining guitars were all cut/shaped by B. Hefner with some of the more difficult operations contracted out.
The guitars turned out nicely and all of them sold except two which I still have:
So, yesterday, Mom asked me if I had any more of the guitars with the family 'Von Herndon' name on them. Mom kinda sheepishly asked me if I would mind taking the black Les Paul Custom Replica in trade for one of the remaining Von Herndon StageCrafters. Mom is very nostalgic about the family name.
Who can say no to Mom????
So, it looks like I might end up with another Les Paul-ish object here in my studio. Might make a great gigging guitar, considering it really has little value other than sentimental.
Thought you guys might enjoy the story....
About 2 years ago, a local Luthier that I know offered me the parts and technical assistance/workspace to build a Les Paul Replica from a Hodge-Podge of parts left over from two unfinished Les Paul projects. Using a Les Paul Custom style theme, I embarked on the project with great enthusiasm. The goal was to build Mom and Mother's day 2017 gift - a faithful (yet cheaper) reproduction of her 1979 Les Paul Custom.
Among the pile of parts was a headstock veneer which featured the smaller, Epiphone-style split diamond. I had a local fellow modify it to accept the 'Gibson' logo. The fretboard was already affixed and the fret slots were already sawn. The body had to be glued together (which I was shown how it was done using a hydraulic press) and the neck fitted to the body. I was also on hand to watch the incredibly time consuming job of binding the body and neck!!!
Since most of the hardware was already gold, I opted for the black & gold theme.
The not-right-for-a-LPC gold kidney bean Grover's were used. A Les Paul Recording TRC was cleaned up and used. Frets were fitted (I wasn't doing fretwork back then - I just watched) and a pre-cut poly (plastic-esque) nut was already there in the box so it was also used.
The inside of the guitar was painted with shielding paint and fitted with an Epiphone wire harness and Epiphone branded HOTCH-G/57CH gold covered pickups. I added gold speed knobs with gold pointers, gold plated brass poker ship and switch tip, gold Dunlop straplocks and a gold roller bridge.
The guitar turned out really good with the bridge and tailpiece almost decked. Intonation is a perfectly staggered lightning bolt pattern and the overall fit and finish was absolutely stunning.
It was presented to Mom on Mother's day 2017
As time passed, I ventured on to my own projects and eventually launched my own 'Von Herndon' guitar line, producing 27 guitars before calling it quits.
It all started with a Stratocaster-style body and 1958 Les Paul Profile neck, cut to my specs by B.Hefner in Whittier. This guitar was essentially my "Training Wheels" in that I learned a lot about the build process - and made a tone of mistakes too.
Here is Von Herndon #1 - Now owned and played by my oldest son Robbie:
Some were built as Stratocaster style and some as Telecaster style, but all featured the 'fat' neck profile and 24.75" scale length. The headstock was a custom design - originally sketched by me - and protected under patent/trademark #87481615. Plans rendered by Jamie Unden.
Country/Rockabilly star Marty Stuart ended up with #14 - Shown on the Right in this photo:
Here are some photos from the first 3 that we built from scratch- using help from a friend and using his facility. This was essentially a 'Glamour Shot' and they were cut on CNC equipment:
After the super labor intensive first 3 of these Telecaster-eque 'StageCrafters' were built by hand, the remaining guitars were all cut/shaped by B. Hefner with some of the more difficult operations contracted out.
The guitars turned out nicely and all of them sold except two which I still have:
So, yesterday, Mom asked me if I had any more of the guitars with the family 'Von Herndon' name on them. Mom kinda sheepishly asked me if I would mind taking the black Les Paul Custom Replica in trade for one of the remaining Von Herndon StageCrafters. Mom is very nostalgic about the family name.
Who can say no to Mom????
So, it looks like I might end up with another Les Paul-ish object here in my studio. Might make a great gigging guitar, considering it really has little value other than sentimental.
Thought you guys might enjoy the story....
