Father and son build LP Junior

[dazzypig]

Hi there,

After a lot of nagging, bugging and general sweet-talking I've finally gotten my Dad to agree to help me with building an electric guitar .

I thought it would be good to let him choose which guitar we would make and gave him a shortlist of 5 that I had interest in doing: Telecaster blackguard, Telecaster Thinline, Les Paul Junior, Flying V and a '59 inspired burst.

He came back to me (to my surprise) with the idea of building not one guitar...But 3!

With the idea of building our way up to the more challenging burst we would build first the Jr then the Tele and then the standard.

The build won't start until just after Christmas as my dad want to do some decorating first (which gives me enough time to get materials, plans and tools together).

And so I was wondering if I could do some brain picking on the subject of Les Paul Juniors.

(Ahem)

1. As far as the body goes is it typically 1 or 2 piece Mahogany?
2. Would copying the neck profile on my SG standard ('07) be suitable? As I have neither a standard or a Junior to make comparisons with.
3. Does anybody know of anywhere plans or templates for a junior can be purchased?
4. If anyone has built a Junior before what P-90 did you you choose?
5. Any info on the electrical components needed to build a relatively accurate copy of a '57 singlecut?

Any other info on appropriate hardware (and where it or an equivalent can be purchased) would be great along with any other information you guys might want to divulge as to the processes or features of this guitar or building one.

Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you.

D

EDIT: Ofcourse I will fulfill my duty to post pictures and a step-by-step write-up of all that we do, but that goes without saying.

 

[Pete M]

1) There were some 2 piece juniors in the 50's (with a centre seam) but most were one piece and they were all mahogany for the most part. There's arguments about which type of mahogany, but you couldn't go far wrong with Honduran although I'm sure Sapele would do nicely too.

3) I've only seen doublecut junior plans available for purchase. I think the done thing is to use those and if you want a single cut then factor in the John Catto outline in that area perhaps. i have a load of info on juniors somewhere that I've nicked from various sources. Do a search and you might find some usefull measurements at least.

5) P90, two pots, cap, some wire, jack socket.

 

[dazzypig]

5) P90, two pots, cap, some wire, jack socket.

Is that really all you need for two pots and a pickup? Just one cap and some wire? Wow!

It sounds like even I could do that

Still more help needed on this one though folks so keep it comin'

 

[flatrockmobile]

Here's a LPJR thread from Harmony Central
Lets build a few LP Juniors... - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

 

[ojedad23]

good luck.

 

[dazzypig]

good luck.

Thank you very much

 

[dazzypig]

Quick question:

Would a handheld jigsaw be able to roughly cut out a body from a blank of mahogany or ash? Only asking as I know this would normally be done on a bandsaw (but a jigsaw would be much cheaper).

Unless anyone from the UK knows of or uses a small bandsaw that's relatively cheap and up to the job?

Will be getting a drill press and drum sanding kit for tidying up after cutting.

Cheers again guys and keep the info coming.

D

 

[chabock]

A jig saw might work but I think you would be better off finding a bandsaw. You might find one that you could use at a local wood shop or some place like that.

 

[ojedad23]

hey, maybe this will help out a bit......
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthiers-corner/38612-lp-build.html

 

[bfcg]

High school woodshop. School is starting.