Ex-Nihilo Build 3 -SGLP

[pinefd]

Originally Posted by shtdaprdtr

who said he needs a poker chip?

My thoughts exactly!

[Greco]

Originally Posted by pinefd

My thoughts exactly!

Sorry, I guess I must've just assumed that it would be kitted out as near as possible with Les Paul hardware. Either way the cavity for a switchcraft is larger than the poker chip so ignore my overlapping the binding comment.

[ex-nihilo]

I love the "poker chip".


Anyway, I have been setting up a shop for some serious work. I got some new tools (including a General International bandsaw!) And I got a bunch of top notch South American Mahogany body and neck blanks. I won't have any update pics and tips for a few weeks I think....

[GooCart]

Hey Scott, how is it going?
I just run in to this pic of a SG with a carved top. I don't know if I like it or hate it.

[SG Lou]

Originally Posted by GooCart

Hey Scott, how is it going?
I just run in to this pic of a SG with a carved top. I don't know if I like it or hate it.

That's the SG Diablo.........I seen one in person. Not bad !

[TexasNate]

I think I will prefer the LP carve to the the Diablo carve. What are you planning on doing to the edges, beveled like an sg or bound like a LP? I vote for binding!

[pinefd]

Originally Posted by TexasNate

I think I will prefer the LP carve to the the Diablo carve.

I agree. I like Scott's version much better than the Diablo.


Frank

[ex-nihilo]

Originally Posted by pinefd

I agree. I like Scott's version much better than the Diablo.


Frank

Thanks Frank and Tex. And yes, I plan to have binding rather than SG shaped corners.

I finally got my humble little shop assembled. I don't have any slot board hangers yet to organize my tools on the wall, but the basic stuff is there (not pictured is a jointer). I am really happy with it. It is so much better than where I was working before. I feel very relaxed in it.



And, I prepared my first Mahogany block for cut out on the band saw.



More next week.... hopefully.

Sincerely, Scott

[bgillie]

Nice shop! Can't wait to see how this one turns out. Thank you for sharing your builds with us.

[Mongrel]

Thats a purdy shop you got thar Scott!

[RonP]

Looks really nice, Scott. I'll bet you are having a good time setting the shop up and planning your next guitar builds.

I'm glad to see that you decided to keep building.

For those interested, I have ordered a new custom built guitar from Scott.

[SG Lou]

Originally Posted by TexasNate

I think I will prefer the LP carve to the the Diablo carve.

Oh no doubt. I'm not crazy about the Diablo at all

[ex-nihilo]

Here is an update:

1. I cut out and sanded the body shape. I make sure that all of the bumps are completely out of the sides of the body, because the mahogany will be used as a guide to shape the maple. (using a bearing router bit)

2. I also routed out the control cavity and routed a standard LP rounded back.





This shows you the layout of the knobs and stuff.



The pickup wire routes.



And finally, I cut out my maple top and hide glued it to the mahogany. This is the first top that I have used hide glue on. It worked very well.



More updates next week perhaps.

Sincerely, Scott

[jonesy77777]

SWEET EX, can't wait to see that carved top!

[MRJ5]

Looking great Scott!

Originally Posted by ex-nihilo

This is the first top that I have used hide glue on. It worked very well.

Any tips on getting the top on before the hide glue begins to gel?

[GooCart]

Here we go again, ex-nihilo is making me addicted to this site again. You have a certain manner Scott, it's always clean and correct. Perfection might be the word I'm looking for.

[TheDude]

Looking pretty sweet

[ex-nihilo]

Thank you all!

Originally Posted by MRJ5

Any tips on getting the top on before the hide glue begins to gel?

I'm sorry. I would have photo documented the process, but I was all alone when I did it. Here are the steps:

1. Make sure that your center lines on the top and body are clear.

2. Before gluing, place the top on the body and get everything line up. Once you have the top all lined up, clamp it with spring clamps.

3. Now drill some pilot holes where the pickup cavities will be and screw down the top to the body. Check to make sure everything is still line up. Unclasp and unscrew the top.

4. I heat my glue for about an hour and bring it up to 70 degrees. I like my glue fairly runny, (in between motor oil and maple syrup at room temperature)

5. Now, get everything ready: Spring clamps and screw clamps, cordless drill (to put those screws in) screws, a brush, an iron etc. Double check that you have everything ready.

6. Heat the body with the iron. (Note, you can also heat up a big iron skillet and use that. It gives you more surface area than an clothes iron)

7. Now everything goes about like this:

a) Pour the glue on the heated body and brush out with the brush (3 seconds)

b) Lay the top on, line it up and screw it down (3-5 seconds)

c) Put all the spring clamps on (5-8 seconds)

d) Put you screw clamps on (8 seconds)

You are done. The whole operation can easily be done in under 25 seconds. If you are not sure do a few dry runs and have somebody time you each time. With practice, it becomes very easy. Just remain calm and you will proceed VERY fast.

Sincerely, Scott

[MRJ5]

Outstanding!

You are right. Organization and rehersal would be key points.

Very well thought out and very nicely explained. Thank you!

[EtriX]

Scott: This is truly amazing. I love SGs and carve tops. And since your work always is exquisite. It's a joy to see your work.

[ex-nihilo]

Well thank you again. That is very kind.

I am really getting excited about what this guitar will sound like. I got some Sheptone p-90s for it. My hope is that it will sound like the guitar in the video below.... Which is (IMO) one of the coolest guitars I have ever heard. I love this sound and ever since I saw this video I wanted to build a guitar with p-90s.

YouTube - Gibson Les Paul All Gold anno 1954 for sale

YouTube - Gibson Les Paul All Gold anno 1954 for sale

Ah.... if only I could play that well!

Anyway, I hope my guitar can come close to this sound.

[wizzbang]

Scott it's people like yourself that inspire others

Great photos and so clear explainations.

will be following this (as I did your other)build closely.TOP work

[SG Lou]

Originally Posted by ex-nihilo

Here is an update:



2. I also routed out the control cavity and routed a standard LP rounded back.





Sincerely, Scott

Scott,
What did you use for a control cavity template?
reason I ask is I'm doing a scratch build SG for a customer and he wants active EMG's installed.
I purchased the Stew-Mac cavity templates but they are HUGE .
I need room in the cavity for a battery, not a full size bed !

[Von Bek]

Oh, man this going to be great. That maple looks real fine!

[Mongrel]

Scott, this is looking so great! I've never seen a SG with a carved top, one of my first real guitars was an SG so this build hold a place in my heart,lol, thank you for the rundown on the hide glue, I am about to have my first experiance with it gluing my neck to body.
I need to rig up the Clothes iron heating unit deal, any advice on that set-up??
Thanks for your contributions. Aaron

[GreaseBox]

This build is just plain AWESOME!!!

You Rock Scott!!!

[BCRGreg]

Scott, at some point I would love to have you build me a 2 P-90 wraparound Les Paul.

[Kølabrennern]

Originally Posted by ex-nihilo

Well thank you again. That is very kind.

I am really getting excited about what this guitar will sound like. I got some Sheptone p-90s for it. My hope is that it will sound like the guitar in the video below.... Which is (IMO) one of the coolest guitars I have ever heard. I love this sound and ever since I saw this video I wanted to build a guitar with p-90s.

YouTube - Gibson Les Paul All Gold anno 1954 for sale



Ah.... if only I could play that well!

Anyway, I hope my guitar can come close to this sound.

The store that has this guitar for sale is where I get my setups and repairs done. They are great folks! First thing they ask you when you come in the door is if you want a cup of coffee, really feel at home right away there. Only downside is they keep their more valuable guitars (vintage and reissues) stored away where people can't see or touch them, before they ask. I'm too shy to ask; otherwise that would be the place I'd play a vintage guitar for the first time. I know they let anyone (well, not anyone, but you get the idea) try their special guitars if asked, so I might gather some courage and ask to play that one and the 1960 Custom they have. I believe they even have a '53 to '59 conversion there, supposedly one of Jeff Beck's old guitars.

Edit: And the guy playing the guitar in the video is Øystein Greni from the Norwegian band BigBang. I believe he lives in the US now, apparently he's quite the guitar aficionado.

[Matteo.Fadi]

Every time you can create beautiful thread ... thanks a lot

[ex-nihilo]

Hi Everyone,

I was out of town and just got back. Thank you for all the nice things said.

SG, I made my own template for the cavity since this is a hybrid. The cavity is oriented a bit differently from an SG to accommodate the way I laid out the knobs (which is more LPish).

Aaron, if you haven't used hide glue before, do a bunch of experiments on scrap wood first. It sounds like you are a bit nervous about it. Believe me, I was too at first. But, after plying around with scrap wood and learning exactly how it behaves, I have no more fear of it. The beast has been broken.

Greg, Just having me do something like that for you a guy like you would be very beneficial for a guy like me I should think. On another note. Do you have any Gibson ABR-1s in stock and a p-90 LP pickgaurd?

Kol, thanks for the info. I turn 44 tomorrow and it gets easier to ask to do things like that.

Hopefully more updates this week.

Sincerely, Scott