Mahogany Deluxe with Hot PAF's

[Beebe]

Wrapped up this parts build today for a good friend and bandmate who's number 1 is a Les Paul.

Guitar Mill Mahogany Body
Home brew all natural lacquer (aka alcohol spirit varnish), all natural Roman Black pigment powder, and flash coat finish

All Parts Bullet Neck
7.25" radius, vintage frets, and tinted with all natural resins: Gamboge, Garnet Shellac, and Propolis

All Made-in-USA or Japanese parts from: Philadelphia Luthier, AllParts, WD Music, MojoTone.

 

[Beebe]

Also got some pics of the back and few in-progress as well.

Fender all Nickel bullet end strings

Using drill bits by hand to remove lacquer from around the bushing holes:

This is a home brew shielding paint that I made with Graphite powder and water glass. I couldn't detect any conductivity across it, so not sure it's doing anything other than lookin kinda nice.

A shot of the wiring in progress

Any relation to Mike?

 

[AAT65]

Nice work, very smart looking guitar!!

What does a Gibson player make of the 7.25" radius??

 

[Beebe]

Nice work, very smart looking guitar!!

What does a Gibson player make of the 7.25" radius??

Thanks! And good question. He borrowed an Ash Jazzmaster with a 7.5" radius and tall frets, and his only complaint was the sound and the frets. I asked him about the radius to make sure, and he said it felt fine. He pretty much only plays chords and sings, so it should work out. If not, we'll dish out the doe and get a mahogany neck with a 12" radius. My number 1, is actually an all Mahogany Mustang with TOM, 12" radius and P-90 Buckers. The All Parts necks are just too good and too affordable to not give one a shot.

 

[AAT65]

Thanks! And good question. He borrowed an Ash Jazzmaster with a 7.5" radius and tall frets, and his only complaint was the sound and the frets. I asked him about the radius to make sure, and he said it felt fine. He pretty much only plays chords and sings, so it should work out. If not, we'll dish out the doe and get a mahogany neck with a 12" radius. My number 1, is actually an all Mahogany Mustang with TOM, 12" radius and P-90 Buckers. The All Parts necks are just too good and too affordable to not give one a shot.

Sounds good, you've done the research and there's a plan B if you need it! I hope he enjoys it as-is and has many years of playing pleasure to come.

 

[JJStrummrr]

That is just beautiful. Love the color and finish. Super nice!!

 

[danielpsmart]

Wow. That turned out great!

 

[bluesguy62]

Also got some pics of the back and few in-progress as well.

View attachment 999052

Fender all Nickel bullet end strings
View attachment 999057

Using drill bits by hand to remove lacquer from around the bushing holes:
View attachment 999053

This is a home brew shielding paint that I made with Graphite powder and water glass. I couldn't detect any conductivity across it, so not sure it's doing anything other than lookin kinda nice.

View attachment 999054

A shot of the wiring in progress
View attachment 999055

Any relation to Mike?
View attachment 999056

Absolutely gorgeous, for want of a better word. The attention to detail, plus the care taken in crafting this masterpiece; speaks volumes of the luthier's caliber.

 

[Fendereedo]

That looks amazing, really nice work

 

[MogwaiBoy]

Oh my god this is the sexiest Deluxe I have ever seen. Can I get one with locking tuners?

 

[Dan German]

Beautiful! I especially like the medallion on the peg head as an alternative to the usual decal etc.

 

[mexicanyella]

Wow! That is really cool looking!

 

[FortyEight]

SCHWING!!!!

 

[Beebe]

Oh my god this is the sexiest Deluxe I have ever seen. Can I get one with locking tuners?

Thanks MB! And speaking of locking tuners...

My next build is going to be a double bound Pine Esquire in Inca Silver formulated with natural minerals. The player wants locking tuners and he's going to have to fight me on it. The Gotoh Vintage Staggered tuners are just too good and timeless in my opinion. Basically locked when wound properly and leave no sharp string ends sticking out. Cut the string at two tuners past its tuner, inset it in the hole, sharp bend around the post and wind so it spirals down. It takes a few turns, but not enough IMHO to necessitate a design change to something usually heavier.

The customer spends a lot of time on the road and I understand the need for quick string changes, so he will ultimately win out. Fortunately Hipshot makes some nice locking staggered ones that fit in the vintage bushings and come in Nickel. They also offer alternate knobs that look more vintage at about 6 bucks a pop that I'll ultimately dish out in my protest against the change.

So, yes.

 

[Festofish]

Flat black isn’t my favorite but it looks great on that deluxe!

 

[CodeBlue]

That right there, that's something special!