The Open 'Burst Project

[PixelBurst]

Would anyone be into developing a set of plans/blueprints for making a '59 'burst? Maybe those with original 'bursts can help contribute measurements and we can put together a PDF with plans and instructions on what it takes to build a nice 'burst for yourself. We could include recommendations on pickups and vintage style hardware as well.

As a graphic designer I'd love to put the PDF together and do all the vector illustrations for the plans.

Sound cool, lame, ridiculous? Please let me know if you guys and gals think this is feasable. I think it would be a fun and educational project.

Take care,

Brian aka PixelBurst

 

[DOUBLEWHITE 59]

I think that is killer idea! Sounds fairly simple and straight forward. The only catch would be if Gibson would get pissy about people posting plans in pdf on the internet. That may be getting into copyright infringement area. Still sounds very interesting to me. (LPForum burst, the next Keebler)

 

[PixelBurst]

Legal issues

I would not use the "Gibson" logo or the "Les Paul MODEL" logo in the PDF. Also, I wouldn't even use the term "Les Paul". We can just call it "The Open 'Burst Project, 1959" or something. This week I'll start to make some templates that can be downloaded so people can measure and post their results if they want to contribute. I'll draw the 'burst from all the angles I can get in Adobe Illustrator and post them as a PDF.

There are plenty of companies that make single cut LP style guitars. Is there some sort of time limit on the copyright of a given guitar design?

 

[Ed Rafalko]

Been done already.

 

[PixelBurst]

Already Done

Cool, where are the plans? I've never seen any online. I'd love to take a look at them.

My idea was just to make them free to everyone and update the info when new people contribute. Also add building tips for those DIY guys.

 

[Ed Rafalko]

I'm sure the artist who drew them will post a link if he so desires.

 

[PixelBurst]

Excellent

Well I hope he does. I've read about proper measurements here frequently. It seems a lot of people here really know their stuff. I think it'd be awesome if everyone had access to that information.

I always thought Open Source software was a cool idea, it's be nice other things could benefit from that concept!

 

[Dave Paetow]

John's blueprint is really nice, but a really in-depth blueprint would be cool, like the Stew-Mac '50's Custom blueprint, but make it right, unlike the Stew Mac '50's Custom blueprint which isn't even the right guitar (!)
It would be impossible to blueprint the top carve, as it would be hard to interpret the 3 dimensional aspect of it in a one dimensional medium. It would be nice to blueprint a specific burst, as there are so many variables. Do some cross sections of a Burst neck to show the profile at each fret would be nice, too.

 

[Ed Rafalko]

It's easy to blueprint a top carve. Just use topographical projection.

 

[PixelBurst]

Top Carve

Yeah, I figured that would be extremely difficult if not impossible. But writing some guidelines to creating the top carve is feasable.

The neck cross section idea is great!

 

[Dave Paetow]

But that's not the same as actually seeing it and running your hand over the top carve in person to really understand it.

 

[Panic Kernel]

It's easy to blueprint a top carve. Just use topographical projection.

Got one handy?

 

[Ed Rafalko]

Not for you.

 

[Flamed93+]

Chiropractors have 'em....I think.

 

[BluesForDan]

I think it would be a great idea. hey, my sis still has her ex's wood workshop in the basement...hmm:hmm

 

[heinz]

It is possible to map the top carve with Contour Lines, this is done by architects all the time to describe landscape topography.

Even easier and more effective, since the top carve is symmetrical a cross-section diagram could illustrate it pretty well.

 

[Rich R]

My opinion is that anything, like this project, which advances original 'Burst scholarship, is worthy of support--period. Why in the world would someone want to discourage this???

Pixelburst, if I can be of assistance with your project, please do not hesitate to let me know.

 

[Bluejazz]

Pixelburst, excellent idea. And I don't think using '59 Les Paul is a problem either, considering that you are simply identifying that which you are researching. If anyone balks at that, they lack common sense. Hell, I'd probably send Gibson the first copy, just so they know what's missing on the $5,500 R9's.
Good luck with your project.

 

[plaintop]

I'm just going to pay the money to get it done right. I really don't care how to do it OR how it is done. I just want it. spin Top carve's are all pretty unique. I like a nice flat deck with a subtle dish. I think it would take a little bit of experience to do a top right, not to mention the REST of the guitar.

I'm not big on "roll your own" if you hadn't noticed.

 

[lpmaniac]

I'm with Brian... having refinished a couple of guitars with great results it's satisfying to do the work, but build the whole axe? Carving, routing, measuring, etc., etc... even if you find the time to get it done, you still have to know a whole bunch more stuff to get it done right.

I'll pay someone too...my time is worth more than the satisfaction of saying... Geez, look what I did!

Imagine if it sucked?