• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

52-59 Conversion, Amazing 2 piece Plain Top

sharq attaq

New member
Joined
Mar 14, 2004
Messages
1,636
don't know if it's a '50s neck or not, but the FB looks like it is.

...to me.



......in pictures.
 

latestarter

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
4,173
Any chance of a headstock face photo boogieongtr? Again, thanks for taking the time post this.
 

keef

Active member
Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
5,006
That bridge plug is frikkin unbelievable! Almost too bad it will be routed.
 

boogieongtr

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
937
Today I'll work on the neck. Instead of using shims I'll glue a solid piece of mahogany to the neck. (The shims in the pic are from the guitars reneck)
NeckShim1.jpg


I use LMI luthiers glue that dries crystal hard like hide glue for the repair.
NeckShim2.jpg


Repair made to neck tenon.
NeckShim3.jpg


I need to change the 1952 neck angle of 2.8 to a burst angle of 4 degrees. I use the angle of my 1960 burst as my guideline.
NeckAngle.jpg



Here is a jig I made so I can use a small router and a straight cut pattern bit.
NeckAngle1.jpg


Making the new angle.
NeckAngle2.jpg



Here is the neck fit right from my jigs. I'll do a final fit later.
NeckAngle3.jpg


A perfect 4 degree burst angle.
NeckAngle4.jpg
 

Zoomer

Active member
Joined
Feb 1, 2005
Messages
2,357
Awesome work --- thanks for the pictures - this is one of the reasons I love this place so much !!
 

boogieongtr

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
937
For the final fit of the neck I use a 2 step process. Step one, sand the neck with 100 grit sand paper glued to a piece of maple.
FitNeck1.jpg


Final sand with 150 grit
FitNeck2.jpg


Dry fit looks good.
FitNeck3.jpg


I'll also do a few repairs to the body. The end of the body was sanded way out of profile.
BodyRepair.jpg


I glued a piece of mahogany to the body.
BodyRepair2.jpg


I used a piece of flat grain mahogany to the end grain of the body for a good bond.
BodyRepair1.jpg


And for my trademark. I use a mahogany plug where the 3 holes from the old trap tailpiece.
EndPlug1.jpg


Plug sanded.
EndPlug2.jpg


I want to make sure the radius on the back of the body is even so I use a 3/16" radius bit and touch it up.
RadiusBody.jpg
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
Sure is nice having the right tools around... :salude

Roger that. And utilizing custom jigs, tools, and pieces of quality "filler" wood elevates this project to the expert level. I commend your professional woodworking skills and talent that enables you to pull off a restoration project like this. Simply amazing. I can't wait to hear a final tone report on the finished guitar.

:3zone
 

Electric Lloyd

Active member
Joined
Feb 5, 2005
Messages
3,500
Incredible work & documentation, Boogie! Are you a pattern maker? Your jigs & tools combined with your thoughtful approach are first rate!:applaude
 

boogieongtr

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
937
Incredible work & documentation, Boogie! Are you a pattern maker? Your jigs & tools combined with your thoughtful approach are first rate!:applaude

No, but after 28 years of woodworking you learn a few things along the way.

Before glueing in the neck I'll clean up the binding a bit with some 400 gritt sandpaper. From this:
CleanBinding1.jpg


To this:
CleanBinding2.jpg


Next up I'll glue the neck in using hot hide glue and a clamping jig I made. The jig allows me to apply pressure to the end of the neck into the mortise as well as downward pressure to the neck into the mortise.

GlueNeckIn001.jpg


I also use 6 degree shims under my clamps that apply pressure into the neck mortise. IMOP this is the most important joint of a LP so I go to great lengths to get a perfect fit and great glue job.

GlueNeckIn002.jpg
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
Really cool documentation.

I've seen you do the tailpiece square plug previously and was, and still am, curious as to why you chose to not use circular dowels in each individual hole?
 

JIMI55LP

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
Messages
1,588
Where did you get the block that you mortised into the end to cover the ground channel?
 

MWR

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2004
Messages
2,510
Just amazing work and care! :salude :salude :salude
 

boogieongtr

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
937
I've seen you do the tailpiece square plug previously and was, and still am, curious as to why you chose to not use circular dowels in each individual hole?
I started doing this on my conversions and offered to my customers as an option. IMOP I like the square plug instead of 3 dowels.

Where did you get the block that you mortised into the end to cover the ground channel?
From so mahogany I got in the 80's.
 
Top