Trying to fix a booboo

[81LPCusPlayer]

So a few years ago I took one of my Epi LP's and wanted a natural finish look. So I sanded the finish completely off, all the way down to the wood. Problem is, it seems I sanded the veneer top off as well (I didn't realize at the time it was a veneer, just recently learned). So right now I pretty much have a chunk of wood, it's either alder or mahogany, in the shape of a LP. So now I'm wanting to put a maple veneer top back on. I've done some reading up on this and most everyone says to use a vacuum press for this procedure. I do not have access to one nor can I afford one. So my question is this: Is it possible to re-apply a veneer to a carved top without using a vacuum press? And if so, how? The help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ocw]

i'm no expert, so take this with a grain of salt, but I believe people have successfully used sandbags to apply veneer to carved top guitars. You can also check here. They are manual vacuum pumps, but should be able to get the job done, and they are pretty affordable.

 

[Elias Graves]

I'd paint it pelham blue and be done with it.

You probably could do it without the tools, but I'm betting the results will be less than great. My first question would be dealing with the edges. They generally get hidden under the binding.

EG

 

[81LPCusPlayer]

Not really worried about the binding. I'm wanting to paint this guitar but I want to put the maple veneer back on. When I sanded it down, the tone changed drastically and I'm trying to get that tone back.

 

[81LPCusPlayer]

I'd paint it pelham blue and be done with it.

You probably could do it without the tools, but I'm betting the results will be less than great. My first question would be dealing with the edges. They generally get hidden under the binding.

EG

Not really worried about the binding. I'm wanting to paint this guitar but I want to put the maple veneer back on. When I sanded it down, the tone changed drastically and I'm trying to get that tone back.

 

[purevilpleasure]

Too be honest I don't think you're going to get that "tone" back by just putting on a new veneer. The poly I'm sure had the most reason behind the change. Why don't you put it up for sale and put the money toward a good used one that has that "tone" your after. If fact I know I've been looking for a cheap Epi to strip down for fun. You can even just sell the body and neck and resell the hardware by it'self.

 

[HOT-BRIT]

paint it with a solid opaque color, forget about the veneer and you will save your self a lot of frustration. .

 

[SG Lou]

paint it with a solid opaque color, forget about the veneer and you will save your self a lot of frustration. .

 

[AngryHatter]

Not really worried about the binding. I'm wanting to paint this guitar but I want to put the maple veneer back on. When I sanded it down, the tone changed drastically and I'm trying to get that tone back.

Why do you think putting a veneer on with change the tone to what you want?
It may make it sound even worse than it does now, especially if you apply it under less than ideal fashion.

 

[Pinkie]

Sell it as is and get another one.