Build #2 LP Special

TKOjams · 10-23-2010, 02:04 PM

I have almost aquired everything I need to start working.

The maple arived Friday so I bookmatched a nice section for 1/4'' cap.

This looks very nice and quite different than the nornal Special. It should turn out beautifully.

jp litch · 10-23-2010, 02:15 PM

I;m in

sikvin · 10-29-2010, 10:36 AM

just replied on the first one...i'm not gonna miss out on this though! especially since i'm buying a special soon!

gtr-tek · 10-29-2010, 12:42 PM

That's some wicked maple! Beautiful... Gonna make a sick machine for sure.

TKOjams · 10-29-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikvin

just replied on the first one...i'm not gonna miss out on this though! especially since i'm buying a special soon!

TKOjams · 10-29-2010, 10:37 PM

Getting ready to start. Still looking for a good wraparound bridge.

I started roughing out the neck. Three piece maple.

PoorMan · 10-30-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TKOjams

Getting ready to start. Still looking for a good wraparound bridge.

Not sure if you want an intonateable tailpiece...but I like these...

Pigtail?

Pigatil?

Faber?

TKOjams · 10-30-2010, 07:47 PM

Yes, I'm looking for an intonateable tail piece.
Which one do you guys like and why?

I routed out the control cavities and attached the maple cap today. Man I love this piece of maple!!

ltdave32 · 10-30-2010, 09:29 PM

That top is gorgeous, TKO!

There's also this option for a tailpiece that goes with the flow of the original stop tailpiece/bridge, but is adjustable for some intonation..

Wilkinson

TKOjams · 10-30-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltdave32

That top is gorgeous, TKO!

There's also this option for a tailpiece that goes with the flow of the original stop tailpiece/bridge, but is adjustable for some intonation..

Wilkinson

Thanks Dave, yeah I lucked out with a nice big slab of maple i picked up. I should get at least three tops out of it. (one carved)I picked it up on the "Bay" for a steel!!
As far as the bridge goes, that's one that I haven't seen before. It's nice looking but, I'm hoping for something where all the sattles would be adjustable. That way the placement can be just a little less critical.
I'm leaning toward this one.
STEWMAC.COM : Pictures of Pigtail Aluminum Wraparound Bridge

I would love this one but it's a little pricy for my taste at the moment.
STEWMAC.COM : Pictures of Schroeder Stoptail Bridge

TKOjams · 11-01-2010, 03:43 PM

The back has a nice figure to it.

TKOjams · 11-01-2010, 08:56 PM

Got everything ready to accept the electronics last night.

It took a little shaving here and there but they fit in nicely.

(Just a little side note) the holes for the pots on the plan do not line up perfectly with the modern Gibson plate. I thought I drilled the holes a little off on my first build but, after checking an empty plate with the plans there is a difference.

TKOjams · 11-01-2010, 09:08 PM

Look what popped up during sanding.

Just in case you were wondering, it's Redwood burl.

Reverend D · 11-02-2010, 08:24 AM

Wow the back is off the hook. Actually the whole thing is, nice job!

Regards,

D.

76Custom · 11-02-2010, 02:01 PM

Too Cool TKO. Looks great. What finish are you going with if you don't mind me asking?

TKOjams · 11-02-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76Custom

Too Cool TKO. Looks great. What finish are you going with if you don't mind me asking?

Hey thanks '76, All I've decided on at this point is the top, I plan on staining lemon yellow and then shot with clear. I'm thinking this would still keep it in the LP Special TV vain, but also show off that great flame.

TKOjams · 11-13-2010, 10:27 AM

Truss rod installed today.

glimmertwins · 11-14-2010, 11:01 PM

Nice build - I love the specials. Can you(or anyone here) answer a technical question I had about the construction of these? Does the neck end at the fretboard end and then immediately goes into the pickup cavity? I guess I'm a little confused as to where exactly the neck ends in the mahogany body. From photos I assume the bottom of the neck is actually visible from within the pickup cavity but there is no space for pickup ring like in your typical carved top LP so the pickup cover actually touches the end of the neck. Is that correct?

Also, does the neck extend into the pickup cavity underneath the pickup? Sorry, I have never actually had a special in my hands to take apart and inspect. Thanks for your help!

TKOjams · 11-15-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glimmertwins

Also, does the neck extend into the pickup cavity underneath the pickup? Sorry, I have never actually had a special in my hands to take apart and inspect. Thanks for your help!

Hey glimmertwins, have a look here...

And I contribute with these builds...

TKOjams · 11-16-2010, 10:22 PM

Made some headway on the neck tonight.

ievans · 11-17-2010, 05:45 PM

Looking good. What's the MDF board in the miter slot for?

glimmertwins · 11-17-2010, 09:03 PM

....so I read in one of Roman's threads that he matches the pickup route to the neck angle so the pickup sits exactly parallel to the strings. Is that something you are doing as well? Do you know if that was how vintage special/JR pickup routes were done?

....sorry to be asking so many questions ;-)

TKOjams · 11-17-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glimmertwins

....so I read in one of Roman's threads that he matches the pickup route to the neck angle so the pickup sits exactly parallel to the strings. Is that something you are doing as well? Do you know if that was how vintage special/JR pickup routes were done?

....sorry to be asking so many questions ;-)

I don't know about vintage specials and plans are unavailable as far as I can tell.I'm routing the pup cavity aligned with the top of the body.

TKOjams · 11-17-2010, 11:08 PM

glued the fingerboard on and did some shaping today.

Just a quick look see..

Playing with my new laser level.

TKOjams · 11-17-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ievans

Looking good. What's the MDF board in the miter slot for?

It's a little thing I came up with so I could get closer to the belt without the work tipping foward It also lifts the neck up high enough so the wings of headstock won't trip you up. I works well as long as you keep the table clean under it.

TKOjams · 11-18-2010, 09:56 PM

I spent a couple hours shaping the headstock.

NICE!!

TKOjams · 11-21-2010, 01:42 PM

Nibs, oh how I just love doing these things.

I didn't like the way they came out on my first attempt so, I replaced the binding and did them over again.

They're a pain but, they sure look nice when you're done. Well worth the effort.

TKOjams · 11-27-2010, 07:15 PM

I'm going to either go a little deeper with the pocket or, shave the heel down some.

at least they line up nicely.

Reverend D · 11-28-2010, 05:11 AM

I really like the split fret markers, those look choice. Excellent work, really nice job!

Regards,

Don

'59_Standard · 11-28-2010, 05:26 AM

Very nice TKO - what Laser are you using. Thanks.

10-23-2010, 02:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Build #2 LP Special I have almost aquired everything I need to start working. The maple arived Friday so I bookmatched a nice section for 1/4'' cap. This looks very nice and quite different than the nornal Special. It should turn out beautifully. Barabus likes this. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

10-23-2010, 02:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
jp litch Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Build #2 LP Special I;m in

10-29-2010, 10:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
sikvin Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: at home Posts: 4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special just replied on the first one...i'm not gonna miss out on this though! especially since i'm buying a special soon!

10-29-2010, 12:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
gtr-tek Fumble Fingers Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Somewhere in Tornado Alley Posts: 1,954 Thanks: 42 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Build #2 LP Special That's some wicked maple! Beautiful... Gonna make a sick machine for sure. __________________ Les is more!

10-29-2010, 10:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Getting ready to start. Still looking for a good wraparound bridge. I started roughing out the neck. Three piece maple. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

Today
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10-30-2010, 07:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Yes, I'm looking for an intonateable tail piece. Which one do you guys like and why? I routed out the control cavities and attached the maple cap today. Man I love this piece of maple!! __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

10-30-2010, 09:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
ltdave32 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4,547 Thanks: 157 Thanked 95 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special That top is gorgeous, TKO! There's also this option for a tailpiece that goes with the flow of the original stop tailpiece/bridge, but is adjustable for some intonation.. Wilkinson

11-01-2010, 03:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special The back has a nice figure to it. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

11-01-2010, 08:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Got everything ready to accept the electronics last night. It took a little shaving here and there but they fit in nicely. (Just a little side note) the holes for the pots on the plan do not line up perfectly with the modern Gibson plate. I thought I drilled the holes a little off on my first build but, after checking an empty plate with the plans there is a difference. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

11-01-2010, 09:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Look what popped up during sanding. Just in case you were wondering, it's Redwood burl. EvLectric likes this. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

11-02-2010, 08:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
Reverend D Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 21 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Wow the back is off the hook. Actually the whole thing is, nice job! Regards, D. __________________

11-02-2010, 02:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
76Custom Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,082 Thanks: 18 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Too Cool TKO. Looks great. What finish are you going with if you don't mind me asking?

11-13-2010, 10:27 AM	#17 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Truss rod installed today. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build Last edited by TKOjams; 11-13-2010 at 04:39 PM.

11-14-2010, 11:01 PM	#18 (permalink)
glimmertwins Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 76 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Nice build - I love the specials. Can you(or anyone here) answer a technical question I had about the construction of these? Does the neck end at the fretboard end and then immediately goes into the pickup cavity? I guess I'm a little confused as to where exactly the neck ends in the mahogany body. From photos I assume the bottom of the neck is actually visible from within the pickup cavity but there is no space for pickup ring like in your typical carved top LP so the pickup cover actually touches the end of the neck. Is that correct? Also, does the neck extend into the pickup cavity underneath the pickup? Sorry, I have never actually had a special in my hands to take apart and inspect. Thanks for your help!

11-16-2010, 10:22 PM	#20 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Made some headway on the neck tonight. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

11-17-2010, 05:45 PM	#21 (permalink)
ievans Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sucka Free, California Posts: 703 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Looking good. What's the MDF board in the miter slot for?

11-17-2010, 09:03 PM	#22 (permalink)
glimmertwins Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 76 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special ....so I read in one of Roman's threads that he matches the pickup route to the neck angle so the pickup sits exactly parallel to the strings. Is that something you are doing as well? Do you know if that was how vintage special/JR pickup routes were done? ....sorry to be asking so many questions ;-)

11-17-2010, 11:08 PM	#24 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special glued the fingerboard on and did some shaping today. Just a quick look see.. Playing with my new laser level. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

11-18-2010, 09:56 PM	#26 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special I spent a couple hours shaping the headstock. NICE!! __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

11-21-2010, 01:42 PM	#27 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Nibs, oh how I just love doing these things. I didn't like the way they came out on my first attempt so, I replaced the binding and did them over again. They're a pain but, they sure look nice when you're done. Well worth the effort. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

11-27-2010, 07:15 PM	#28 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,547 Thanks: 92 Thanked 177 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special I'm going to either go a little deeper with the pocket or, shave the heel down some. at least they line up nicely. __________________ Flametop Special Build - Carvetop Doublecut Build - '57 Custom BB Replica Build - '56-ish Flame Top Build - Boudreau Celia build - Lefty Walnut Les Paul Build

11-28-2010, 05:11 AM	#29 (permalink)
Reverend D Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 21 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special I really like the split fret markers, those look choice. Excellent work, really nice job! Regards, Don EvLectric likes this. __________________

11-28-2010, 05:26 AM	#30 (permalink)
'59_Standard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Who GAF Posts: 1,275 Thanks: 3 Thanked 14 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Build #2 LP Special Very nice TKO - what Laser are you using. Thanks.

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