1959 Les Paul Build

[preeb]

Align and glue them together very accurately



and trim both sides so they will share the exact same outline...



I now align the body edge line but leave extra slack for the tenon routing area because it will be used in an angle

[preeb]

...like that



This is where it's at for now...



Next, I align the pu template with the body base. Note that the pu's do not perfectly align... this is because they will be routed in an angle from the neck plane.



Roughly cut on the band saw

[preeb]

and flush trimmed



Again... aligned and glued to the tenon & ears template



and routed the same way... but leaving enough for the router base to travel on for the tenon routing.



Like this



The idea is to set the templates on the center line and align with the body edge for super accurate routing.

[preeb]

Like that

[preeb]

This is it for the simple templates. Next are the more complicated Jigs.

In the past, I used a table saw to cut straight surfaces and angles but I was never too happy with the results. I couldn't control the measurements 100% since it was impossible to use a template with this tool + I am afraid of it for safety reasons.
I decided to redesign my Gibi neck building approach...

The first jig will produce the face (under fingerboard) and headstock angle from the roughly cut blank. I use the neck profile template to draw the 16.8° headstock angle



Roughly cut on the band saw



Double sided glued by aligning them against the table surface



and flush trimmed

[preeb]

Nice and square





I'll use those little clamps to hold the blank to the Jig base for safe and solid (non flexible) routing



Cut a few raisers to allow for a 2.5" clamping jaw opening (Blank is 2 1/4" + tall)

[Tonetele]

Gil. I think you'll go down in history as one of the truly great builders.We all love these threads and your sharing your skills with us. Tonetele, Australia.
( P.S Built a Les Paul Jr. a couple of years ago, Brazilian Mahogony, and that was tough enough for me at the time- and they're simple!).

[preeb]

This is the basic idea...



I now need to find a bit with a 2 /12" cutting length and a bearing on the bottom.... (YIKES...) so before I rush this... I'd better stop and find the bit first.
Any help (links) will be greatly appreciated guys (-;
I'll be back soon.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Eliran

ohh ok now it make sense
i wonder if there is a burst hanging around our little country
i'm from Jaffa
by the way here is my version of a burst
it might be look like a burst but it's not even close to the real thing
it's my first guitar so i guess it's ok to not have it 100% accurate to the real thing not mention that i never even hold 1 in real

No bursts known to exist here... but lots of 70's Deluxes though...
That 60 LP looks great Eliran. Building a good LP, even not 100% historically accurate, is not an easy task.

[preeb]

Originally Posted by José

What's happen in Israel, does every single guy build guitars in his garage?

We have a couple of world renowned builders here (-;
See one here: http://www.boazguitars.com/
This guy is building really serious stuff

[krauser2]

my head is about to explode with information and I don't even think you've gotten into the real meat and potatoes.

I'm going to do this one day.....

[preeb]

Originally Posted by OuttaspaceMan

I'm truly amazed with your eye for detail even up to the smallest things, I admire your passion towards building guitars! This will be very interesting and exciting to watch it unfold. Thank you for inspiring us! =)

Thank you OuttaspaceMan!

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Sterling Sound

What's THAT Gil ?! Double jointed fingers?

I'm sure you have them because the 50s guitar builders also had them

LOL... you've seen nothing yet... I can go backward with all 3 joints (-;

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Buckley

Nice Watch... Omega Speedmaster Professional

You really are a man of taste, Preeb.

Can't wait to see how this one works out.

Yes it is. My old faithful watch died on me )-; and I read about this watch that it was the first (and only) watch on the moon! amazing stuff right?
It was designed in the 60's and still look so nice... a real masterpiece.
So I can only hope it will last as long as the previous one + it doesn't need batteried (-;
They should have used lighter wood on this model... it weighs a ton.

[Buckley]

Originally Posted by preeb

Yes it is. My old faithful watch died on me )-; and I read about this watch that it was the first (and only) watch on the moon! amazing stuff right?
It was designed in the 60's and still look so nice... a real masterpiece.
So I can only hope it will last as long as the previous one + it doesn't need batteried (-;
They should have used lighter wood on this model... it weighs a ton.

I have one on my wrist right now as well. It should last you a lifetime (more like several lifetimes) though the one drawback is when you forget to wind it and think you have more time to get somewhere than you actually have!

[preeb]

Originally Posted by Tonetele

Gil. I think you'll go down in history as one of the truly great builders.We all love these threads and your sharing your skills with us. Tonetele, Australia.
( P.S Built a Les Paul Jr. a couple of years ago, Brazilian Mahogony, and that was tough enough for me at the time- and they're simple!).

No I will not. I'm only copying the great guitars of past years. The important builders are the names you see on those guitars headstocks.
But it's a lot of fun anyway... It makes me happy (-;

[preeb]

No luck with the router bit yet... hmm.... HELP!

[Ironwolf]

I'm sorry, but I've never seen a bit of that type. That's not to say they don't exist, but none of the suppliers that I check seem to have anything of that type and size.

[preeb]

Do you think this might work without a bearing by using the shank as bearing:
item 108-0845 or 109-0805
http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/..._straight_bits

I've never seen anything like this type and actually not sure how it's built... but it has a 1/2" shaft and a long enough cutting length. Can it be used as a flush trimmer for the 2.5" tall blank?

[preeb]

Never mind... I'll shape it on the RoboSander and belt sander.