Les Paul Classic assembly

Bocc69

Bocc69

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So I've obtained a beautiful LP Classic husk. Time to get this thing rocking.

My goal is to do all assembly, and wiring of pickups and switches , etc.

To finish I will bring to my Luther for adding a bone nut, notching the saddles (if needed), final set up and remaining adjustments.

My first line of business is getting the proper bridge.

The Gibson description describes an ABR style bridge, and the inserts are in the guitar. I am considering this nickel ABR-1 tune-o from stewmac. I have been given conflicting advice if it will be a direct drop in.

Original_ABR-1_Tune-o-matic_Bridge.jpg
Here is the inserts on my LP,

les 5.jpg
Any reason to think it won't fit?

I will post pictures as my progress continues. I greatly appreciate all advice along the way.

Thanks all !!

les2.jpg
 
eSGEe said:
Only one way to find out.................
Click to expand...
That's what I figure.
I was actually waiting for stock to arrive at Sweetwater, so I was Curious if I was waiting for the wrong part the whole time. Lol
 
Bocc69 said:
So I've obtained a beautiful LP Classic husk. Time to get this thing rocking.

My goal is to do all assembly, and wiring of pickups and switches , etc.

To finish I will bring to my Luther for adding a bone nut, notching the saddles (if needed), final set up and remaining adjustments.

My first line of business is getting the proper bridge.

The Gibson description describes an ABR style bridge, and the inserts are in the guitar. I am considering this nickel ABR-1 tune-o from stewmac. I have been given conflicting advice if it will be a direct drop in.

View attachment 1338
Here is the inserts on my LP,

View attachment 1339
Any reason to think it won't fit?

I will post pictures as my progress continues. I greatly appreciate all advice along the way.

Thanks all !!

View attachment 1340
Click to expand...

Won't fit. The ABR you posted has thin threaded posts which embed directly into the wood. To adjust bridge height you rotate the knurled thumb wheels but the posts are fixed. The guitar husk you posted has Nashville style threaded ferules pressed into the body which then receive the bridge posts. To raise or lower the bridge, you turn the whole post. The diameter of the portion of the post that threads into the ferule is much bigger than the thin posts on the ABR.
 
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Dewesq55 said:
Won't fit. The ABR you posted has thin threaded posts which embed directly into the wood. To adjuat bridge height you turn rotate the knurled thumb wheels but the poata are fixed. The guitar husk you posted has Nashville style threaded ferules pressed into the body which then receive the bridge posts. To raise or lower the bridge, you turn the whole post. The diameter of the portion of the post that threads into the ferule is much bigger than the thin posts on the ABR.
Click to expand...
This is the bridge you need:
ts0147onwhtNash.jpg
 
Bocc69 said:
Thank you!! That's where my conflict was. Gibson described ABR, but everything I read says that kind go directly into the body. And they were never listed with the inserts. Pictures of a stock guitar almost looked like a hybrid...to me.
Nashville it is.
Click to expand...

Happy to help.
 
frankblade said:
Abr good Nashville better JMHO.
Click to expand...
But since the guitar already has the Nashville bridge post bushings installed, he would have to pull them and fill the holes in order to retrofit an ABR. No reason I can see to do that. Also, it didn't seem like he wanted to get that complicated.
 
Yup. Trying to keep it simple and learn along the way.

Im obviously not a Luther, not even a professional musician. Just a guy that loves guitars....especially Gibson. I've always wanted to do something like this, so I think this is a great way to start.

I appreciate ALL input.
 
My course may be a bit misguided, but my goal is to assemble this thing to almost stock. It's a learning curve thing for me.

I plan on putting in zebra 57's with original style wiring. Hardware will be similar to spec a well.

At some point maybe I change to 50's style wiring, try different tailpieces etc, maybe even ad some pickup covers.

But for now, my only real change will be a bone nut, and the addition of a silly poker chip. I think it will look so cool with that thang!
 
Bocc69 said:
Yup. Trying to keep it simple and learn along the way.

Im obviously not a Luther, not even a professional musician. Just a guy that loves guitars....especially Gibson. I've always wanted to do something like this, so I think this is a great way to start.

I appreciate ALL input.
Click to expand...

I'm a shite musician and an amateur luthier, at best. Just start where you feel comfortable and continue at a pace that you can live with.

Any questions, thats what we're here for. No question is too basic to ask if you dont know the answer. I only wish I had a resource like this when I started building in the '90s.
 
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