Ask Roman ?

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by alexn1018

I might just be an overly ambitious 18 year old but I am going to attempt a Les Paul build this spring/summer. Got some old Honduran Mahogany from my uncle for the body that he has had laying around for years. I do have a decent amount of experience with woodworking but nothing quite like this.

I have two questions. First I am looking for a source for a maple top with a decent flame but have to keep the price to a minimum so any ideas where i should look? Second I'm not sure I will have access to a band saw so would a jig saw be acceptable if I cut a little wide and sand to size?

I think tools will be my biggest set back in the project but I have a jig saw, table saw, mider saw, quarter sander, and access to a drill press. I'm not looking for absolute perfection but I would like to make something I can be proud of. I'm sure ill be back with more questions and maybe I'll document my build on a thread if anyone is interested.

Check your local community college they have pamphlets for courses. They usually have adult continuing education classes . Look for woodworking. For about 100.00 you get to use a schools shop one night a week for about 10 weeks.

[lightningmonkey]

Hello.

I have a Les Paul Studio faded cherry mahogany. The other day I'd finished playing it and a ball of floating dust landed on the tail piece. At the time I was holding the instrument face-up, so I shook it back and forth and up and down and the dust flew away. I had never made this particular movement with the guitar until then and suddenly I heard something rattling around inside it. Kind of like when you drop a pick into the hold of an acoustic, but more like the sound of a bead. So I figured maybe it was up in the cavity where the pots are so I unscrew the plate on the back and there's like this loose chip of wood in there. So I pull it out but I shook the guitar again and sure enough there was something in there still. Probably another chip of wood in the hole/tunnel for the wires between the pots and the pick-ups. Whatever it it is seems to be moving within the bottom of the guitar, between the bridge and bottom strap knob.

My 2 questions:

-What could it be, and could I get it out of there without taking apart anything? Like with Dust-Off or something akin to that?

-When I replaced the plates on the back and screwed them back in, some of the screws don't seem to ever fully tighten, like there comes a point where you can just endlessly turn them. They're in there but...should they be tighter? This is the first time I ever took these plates off and was very careful and used a light touch so nothing was stripped. The wood is extremely soft on this guitar. Is this something to be concerned about?

Thank you!

[Roman Rist]

lightningmonkey,

Don't worry about it too much, the chip will work it's way loose and you will be able to get it out easily.

As to the screw holes, use a drop of superglue in each hole, just a DROP.

The glue will soak into the wood and actually make it stronger and give you grip for your screws.

[sapi]

Thank you Flick for the thread and Roman for your insight.
Wanted to ask a q. Maybe it's a silly or stupid one, i don't have knowlegde of guitarwork.
Is it possible to modify a short tenon on a LP into a long one? Without changing the neck? Or does it make no sense?
Thanks in advance!

jo

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by sapi

Thank you Flick for the thread and Roman for your insight.
Wanted to ask a q. Maybe it's a silly or stupid one, i don't have knowlegde of guitarwork.
Is it possible to modify a short tenon on a LP into a long one? Without changing the neck? Or does it make no sense?
Thanks in advance!

jo

The only way to get a "real" Long Tenon is to make a new neck.
To modify the existing neck into a Long tenon is cost prohibitive
with minimal benefit.

Live with it the way it is

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by sapi

Thank you Flick for the thread and Roman for your insight.
Wanted to ask a q. Maybe it's a silly or stupid one, i don't have knowlegde of guitarwork.
Is it possible to modify a short tenon on a LP into a long one? Without changing the neck? Or does it make no sense?
Thanks in advance!

jo

Roman will have to answer but my thoughts yes it can be done but would it be worth it ? Most likely be easier & cheaper to reneck it

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

Roman will have to answer but my thoughts yes it can be done but would it be worth it ? Most likely be easier & cheaper to reneck it

see my above post

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by RFR

see my above post

we were posting at the same time at least I got it right

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

we were posting at the same time at least I got it right

[sapi]

Thanks for a prompt reply guys! :-)

[decoy205]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

go to the dollar store & buy the fingernail buffing sticks .They usually have 6 grades of micromesh ( yes its that same stuff) & you can turn raw wood looking like it has a glass finish . I buy them all the time to do aging in plastic parts, repairing finish chips & such

It's a satin matte type finish so I don't need it to be overly glossy. Am I supposed to use clear nail polish or black?

[b-squared]

I'm setting up a new set of pickups. I have the height set about where I want, and on the bridge pickup I'm hearing more lows/low mids than highs.

Should I start dialing UP the pickup screws on the high strings until I hear what I want? Maybe lower the side on the low strings?

BB

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by alexn1018

I might just be an overly ambitious 18 year old but I am going to attempt a Les Paul build this spring/summer. Got some old Honduran Mahogany from my uncle for the body that he has had laying around for years. I do have a decent amount of experience with woodworking but nothing quite like this.

I have two questions. First I am looking for a source for a maple top with a decent flame but have to keep the price to a minimum so any ideas where i should look? Second I'm not sure I will have access to a band saw so would a jig saw be acceptable if I cut a little wide and sand to size?

I think tools will be my biggest set back in the project but I have a jig saw, table saw, mider saw, quarter sander, and access to a drill press. I'm not looking for absolute perfection but I would like to make something I can be proud of. I'm sure ill be back with more questions and maybe I'll document my build on a thread if anyone is interested.

Sorry I missed you at first.

Maple is pretty easy to find. there are tons of ebay store that sell wood nowadays. Just make sure to carefully read the ad for dimensions.

Sometimes people get caught up in the beauty and price of the lumber and you find out it is not big enough.

Other than a router, you have enough tools. The biggest , most important tool , is your will and desire.

Study the various build threads, take your time, and do it.

Warrmouth and Stew Mac have preslotted fingerboards to make the job easier.

You said you have some woodworking skills, I have faith that you will figure it out

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by decoy205

It's a satin matte type finish so I don't need it to be overly glossy. Am I supposed to use clear nail polish or black?

I forgot about it being satin, you can omit the polishing step

Unless you see raw wood, I would use clear.

As with white, there are a kazillion different shades of black.

The clear will blend better

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by b-squared

I'm setting up a new set of pickups. I have the height set about where I want, and on the bridge pickup I'm hearing more lows/low mids than highs.

Should I start dialing UP the pickup screws on the high strings until I hear what I want? Maybe lower the side on the low strings?

BB

Ah, The tweeking for tone syndrome

You could play around with that, but keep in mind it is kind of like makeup on a woman...................It is still the same face, or in your case the same tonal response of the pickup

I have found that height adjustments control more of the volume aspect.

I have this one personal guitar I made with Koa and a korina top. I went though 6 sets of pickups ( all good stuff) before I nailed the tone I wanted.

Good luck!

[alexn1018]

I forgot to include in my post my uncle is lending me a router so hopefully I will have all the tools I need. I think I am going to get a premade fingerboard. Thanks for the insight.

[decoy205]

Originally Posted by RFR

I forgot about it being satin, you can omit the polishing step

Unless you see raw wood, I would use clear.

As with white, there are a kazillion different shades of black.

The clear will blend better

Seriously thanks Roman! You're too kind to take the time out for us! It means a lot. I appreciate it!!!

[lightningmonkey]

Thank you, RFR!!

[b-squared]

Thanks!

Actually, it sounded a lot better in my JTM45 RI than my little Vox practice amp.



BB

[Roman Rist]

Originally Posted by b-squared

Thanks!

Actually, it sounded a lot better in my JTM45 RI than my little Vox practice amp.



BB

I am guessing the Vox is solid state?? Don't do that!!

[b-squared]

Ya, SS, and I had a Zendrive running as well. I was using it to ops-check my installation job.

It kicked @ss though the JTM...Earvana...

BB

[3dmac]

Ha roman,
Just buffed out t