*** The 56 LP From Ebay Retread ***

[boogieongtr]

For those who missed the original thread here it is: https://www.lespaulforum.com/index.php?threads/1956-les-paul-burst-ebay-identify.217132/

The guitar was loaded with original parts plus two full stickered PAF's. Someone had converted it to humbuckers and did a refin. The major hacks to the guitar were Abalone inlays (oversized) were installed. New binding was installed on the bass side but had no side dots. The refret was another hack plus the fretboard varied over 1/16" end to end and side to side. First I'll start with the fretboard. It took me a while to decide weather to build up the underside of the fretboard with another piece of Bz or use a new Bz fretboard I had milled out. I also wanted to know if the neck was ever removed. I first removed the fingerboard with a heat blanket. You can see that the guitar neck is original to the guitar and has never been removed or messed with.

I'll strip the old finish off.

So glad the original S/N was saved. I'll stamp it back on the guitar later.

I'll clean up the old routes.

New maple/mahogany plugs made.

I'll glue them in using hot hide glue and my press.

 

[DutchRay]

Awesome work, I can't wait for the final result!

 

[ourmaninthenorth]

I'm really looking forward to following the progress on this one.

Thanks a lot for posting Jim, and belated congratulations on acquiring this beauty.

 

[akstrat61]

Keep us posted! I love seeing the life coming back into these!

 

[Reno_1ted]

Awesome thread !

 

[zhivago]

This is the sort of thread that makes the internet a better place!

Looking forward to seeing the end result!

 

[boogieongtr]

The neck plug is a bit more involved. I had to inlay a piece of mahogany with the maple filet strip so that it lines up with the neck tenon. You'll see why when I route for humbuckers.

Once again I press the plug in.

Plugs glued in.

Next I'll work on the new Bz fingerboard. Glue in the nitrate inlays.

Fingerboard is ready, bound, side tortoise markers & nitrate inlays.

I'll glue on the new Bz fingerboard using hot hide glue. I'm also building in a slight up bow so there will be tension on the truss rod.

 

[sweiger]

Amazing work, and you make it very interesting to follow

 

[miczap]

Can’t wait to see how it turns out!

 

[m bernardi]

will it be for sale???

 

[boogieongtr]

will it be for sale???

Sorry, not for sale.

 

[marshall1987]

I'm sure this guitar will turn out great. And I must say the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail is absolutely stunning!

 

[boogieongtr]

Thanks for the kind words. Ok, now to my favorite part.... Routing for humbuckers. Originally the P90 neck pickup route went all the way to the end of the fretboard. By adding the fake tenon inlay to the neck plug it now has the correct step back.

New frets and nylon nut. Strung up and it ring out like a bell.

 

[J.D.]

Not a criticism; genuine curiosity...

It appears you did not do fret end binding. Can I ask why? I'll guess because it's not a restoration, it's a conversion and personal preference.

 

[boogieongtr]

Not a criticism; genuine curiosity...

It appears you did not do fret end binding. Can I ask why? I'll guess because it's not a restoration, it's a conversion and personal preference.

It's a personal preference. 41 years ago Mike McGuire (Valley Arts & Gibson) refretted a 335 for me. He talked me into extending the fret over the binding for more surface for a bigger vibrato. He said that's what the LA players like. I've been doing it like that since then.

 

[boogieongtr]

Next up grain filler.

Back color done:

Yellow aniline dye on the top and ready for the sunburst.

 

[boogieongtr]

I'll shoot the cherry sunburst dark then fade it back.

Scrape the binding

Tint the binding

Silkscreen

Stamp the S/N back on the guitar

 

[boogieongtr]

Time to assemble this baby. Nothing like old lead pots with bumble bees.

The guitar came with Pat Pend Grovers so back on they go.

All assembled

I think I will fade it more, I want the red to soften just a bit.

I'm happy with this color. Hope everyone enjoyed this thread. The PAF's sound really good...!!

 

[T.Allen]

Beautiful job! Thanks for posting this!

 

[Tubes 'n Wood]

WOW! Gorgeous!!