Les Paul Studio Project

[smitty_p]

And so, it begins...

I just paid for a Les Paul Studio husk, in alpine white, with ebony fret board. My Stratocaster project has given way to a Les Paul project.

This is the plan:

I will install my never-used gold Kahler trem on it. Yes. I will finally put that piece of hardware to use! I am currently getting the plans together for routing templates. I'll be getting a brand-new carbide bearing router bit to do this.

Given that the Kahler is gold, all the remaining hardware will be gold. All plastics will be black. I will install black speed knobs.

I am still undecided on pickups. I am very fond of Seymour Duncan '59s. If I go with that, I'll probably install a bridge pickup in both the bridge and neck positions. Their DC resistance and marketing would lead you to believe they are really just good for classic rock and lesser gain use. I've found them to retain a lot of clarity under pretty high gain. They're an all-round great pickup.

I may do push-pull pots for a coil-split set up. Regardless, I'll use 500K pots and .015 mfd capacitors.

I also intend to go with the current TTR trend and fully shield it with copper tape.

Being a Studio, it will have no binding, and no nibs. The plan is to make a sleek, street-rod of a guitar.

 

[Inspector #20]

Wow!!!

Is it the body that was posted here a while back??? Wow, if it is, that one looked great!!!

I bought a Les Paul Custom with a damaged fretboard, so I have a project as well, but I am paying to have that work done, since it involves more than just bolt-ons...

 

[DonP]

I approve this spec strongly. I've used '59s and they have a nicely balanced sound. I'd suggest you do coil splits on the tone pots, and put a phase reverse on one of the volume pots. That covers all the tones you are likely to want.

 

[Inspector #20]

I approve this spec strongly. I've used '59s and they have a nicely balanced sound. I'd suggest you do coil splits on the tone pots, and put a phase reverse on one of the volume pots. That covers all the tones you are likely to want.

Good ideas...

 

[Inspector #20]

Smitty,

Give the GFS Professional Series a look...

 

[smitty_p]

Wow!!!

Is it the body that was posted here a while back??? Wow, if it is, that one looked great!!!

I bought a Les Paul Custom with a damaged fretboard, so I have a project as well, but I am paying to have that work done, since it involves more than just bolt-ons...

It's close. Not the same listing, but really close.

 

[gball]

Man, I soooo want to do the same thing. Some day I will.

Anyways, sounds like a cool project and '59's are awesome.

 

[smitty_p]

I approve this spec strongly. I've used '59s and they have a nicely balanced sound. I'd suggest you do coil splits on the tone pots, and put a phase reverse on one of the volume pots. That covers all the tones you are likely to want.

I hadn't considered a phase reverse function. For the most part, I'm not a huge fan of the sound. But, then again, it is an interesting idea for added versatility.

I'll have to think on that one...interesting.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Are there any pedals that simulate out of phase sound?

 

[DonP]

Are there any pedals that simulate out of phase sound?

Not that I can think of. It happens at the point the pickups combine.

 

[smitty_p]

Wow!!!

Is it the body that was posted here a while back??? Wow, if it is, that one looked great!!!

It's close. Not the same listing, but really close.

I will post pics when I get it.

 

[smitty_p]

I've got an update.

The guitar has been shipped. It is currently in Florida, en route to to my location.

I've requested an armed guard to be on the lookout for @eSGEe !

 

[Inspector #20]

I've got an update.

The guitar has been shipped. It is currently in Florida, en route to to my location.

I've requested an armed guard to be on the lookout for @eSGEe !

He just ordered a security guard uniform from my E-bay store!!!!

 

[RVA]

The shipping wait is fun but tense. My LP project has been stuck mid transit in 1 place in China for 17 days now.

I am looking forward to seeing this one come together. please be sure to post progress pics!

 

[smitty_p]

Look what showed up today!

I'm committed now. The long road to a complete guitar now begins.

It is in really nice shape. The pictures make it seem really white, but it's actually slightly-off white, which is what I was hoping.

Coincidentally, it is the same year as my other Les Paul - 2007.

 

[Bocc69]

Very nice. I've always loved white LP. Black plastics will look great. Have you decided on tuners yet?
So....poker chip??

 

[SirFlintstone]

Very nice bones to build on. Awesome project, man.

 

[smitty_p]

Very nice. I've always loved white LP. Black plastics will look great. Have you decided on tuners yet?
So....poker chip??

I'm still kicking around ideas for tuners. Honestly, I am somewhat leaning toward the classic look, with Klusons, but the newer model with screw-in ferrules, vs. the press-in ferrules.

Yes, I'll do the poker chip. To me, there is something that just says, "Les Paul," about the poker chip.

 

[smitty_p]

Very nice bones to build on. Awesome project, man.

Thanks! I can't believe how little fret wear there is on this thing. There's practically no buckle rash. There is a small chip in the paint on the back of the neck, but someone touched it up with touch-up paint. The neck feels very nice.

I really wanted a white Studio, but I also wanted the ebony fret board with the trapezoid inlays, so that limited my choices. I kind of lucked out. So, I'm happy.

 

[Bocc69]

I love the klusons. I think they are classy and functional...and they scream Gibson.

I agree on the poker chip. I added one to my lp classic....it just has to be