1952 Les Paul - Next Project

[boogieongtr]

I do not understand why you want to re-set the neck. You mentioned that an ABR works. Please help me keep up with your project. Thanks

I didn't say the ABR1 works. I said the ABR1 was shaved down. Even with the shaved down ABR1 the action was too high for most to play. The 56-60 LP's have a steeper neck angle and adds tension to the string. I like the feel of the added string tension and it also adds to the Burst's tone

My 57 had a 3.8 neck angle

My 60 had a 4 degree neck angle.

 

[fernieite]

Number 2 option (in this case) please.

 

[NINFNM]

I would place 2 P-90s and a neck angle adapted trapeze, leave the holes, and burst it in cherry sunburst. But that's me

 

[stephenwz968]

Snatch all the way!

 

[LPTDMSV]

The plugs would only be seen if the restoration was back to a 52 trap goldtop.

Maybe that wouldn't matter so much, especially if you go for an ultra-relic finish?

I like to see the history showing through.

 

[Mick51]

Option (2), please. Don't change a thing on that beautiful top.

 

[d1m1]

Oh man really bad work.. but that top will be killer if gets refinished right.

I would go for 2. It is already routed and stripped, so you wont "destroy" a good guitar. And it has the potential to be e killer 59 conversion.

I woundnt go for the snatch because there is no way to get that aging. You like the snatch because of its gorgeous mojo. To me natural aged goldtops are some of the most beautiful guitars ever, but fresh gt finish no matter if aged or not is a different world.

3 is a no go.

 

[boogieongtr]

I've decided to go with a Burst finish and keep the top as is. I'll do a neck reset and rework the pickup cavities and it will make a great old wood Humbucker LP. I thought I'd strip the top to get a better look. I was surprised to find that the area under the pickguard turned out to be a hack repair. I was told it was just in the lacquer when I bought the guitar.

 

[nuance97]

I've decided to go with a Burst finish and keep the top as is. I'll do a neck reset and rework the pickup cavities and it will make a great old wood Humbucker LP. I thought I'd strip the top to get a better look. I was surprised to find that the area under the pickguard turned out to be a hack repair. I was told it was just in the lacquer when I bought the guitar.

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Hack repair is right… looking forward to watching this thread

 

[Vtg]

Put a killer retop on it

 

[jcsk8]

I would go for number 2.

 

[LPTDMSV]

Hack repair is right…

That is some seriously rough work there - the mind boggles at what went on!

 

[truckermde]

Hack repair is right… looking forward to watching this thread

+1

 

[efstop]

Even if it was repainted gold, that "repair" will take some skilled fixing.

 

[Paul46]

Put a killer retop on it

After seeing that 'repair', I think I'd go for option #3 as well.

 

[musicmaniac]

Too bad it was hacked like that. But good luck on whatever you choose to do!

 

[Airplane]

That „repair“ is awful but i guess the pick guard will hide it?

Mind boggling to me how people consider a retop on a vintage LP with such spectacular flame. Even the upper bout maple strip is absolutely stunning.

 

[boogieongtr]

Even if it was repainted gold, that "repair" will take some skilled fixing.

I'm up for the challenge. I have worked all the steps and machining out in my mind before I start the repair. It's a tricky repair but not impossible. A big chunk of time goes into making the jigs and finding the right piece of maple that will be used for the plug. Once repaired you will still see the new piece added but it will at least blend in. One plus is that the pickguard does cover the repair.

 

[dwagar]

With your skills, I'm sure the repair will be hard to see. I'm glad you aren't taking the original top off.

It might be really nice as a Lucy too.

 

[nuance97]

With your skills, I'm sure the repair will be hard to see. I'm glad you aren't taking the original top off.

It might be really nice as a Lucy too.

I agree…I kinda want a Lucy now that I’ve watched Get Back