Official Luthiers Forum! :: View topic - Want to build a Les Paul

My favourite tool for carving is currently my angle grinder with a flap sanding disk in it. No lie.

On my first few I did the 'stepped' thing, and may do it again if I start building towards a specific curve or template; these days I 'simply' route an index ledge (bowl bit) around the edge to taste, and then sand away the rest with the angle grinder, smooth things out with a random orbit sander, fine-tune the carve using an ibex finger plane and finish up (including recurve, etc) using a scraper. Good fun. Some people don't like the angle grinder because it's very, very agressive. You need a very gentle, light touch with it an get used to how it handles (the high velocity rotation gives it a sort of gyroscope effect).

Re: Les Pauls, while I can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a lot of those replicas, I don't see why one would want to build an exact replica including all the 'design flaws' (stupid handling of binding, poorly thought out truss rod access, one-piece, headstock-break prone neck), but then I guess I've never quite fetishized a specific guitar model to that degree.

Author:	schrammguitars [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Want to build a Les Paul
Hi Guys, I want to build a Les Paul. Do you know of any good web sites for building them? Good books on Les Paul guitars? I've never built an electric, but I have built a couple hundred acoustic guitars. Thanks!

Author:	Edward Taylor [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
I have found that the luthiers corner over on Mylespaul.com has a lot of good stuff.

Author:	kfish [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
I don't know why this thought is so funny to me, but I guess it goes with your picture. You'd think someone would have an online apprentice for a Les Paul by now. Here's a couple blogs with some good information. I haven't built one myself. I'm just getting around to my Online Apprentice CD for the Hauser. http://home.asparagine.net/ant/blog/?page_id=4 http://eksomething.blogspot.com/2008/12/hey.html Kent

Author:	Howard Klepper [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
I hear that Melvin Hiscock's book is good, but never read it. There used to be a pretty good plan drawing of an old Les Paul Custom available from StewMac, which I found helpful to work from. It has been replaced by a more detailed plan set taken from a 1959 Les Paul Standard. I haven't looked at that, but it's probably an improvement. The original plan didn't have contour information. I would think that the StewMac plan is all you'd need. I call these more-or-less pauls:

Author:	Mike Dotson [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
Great build going on here: http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-de ... build.html

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Want to build a Les Paul http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=25503	Page 1 of 1

Author:	Hesh [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
Beautiful Howard and I had no idea that you play on the dark side too! I want one!!!!

Author:	Darrin D Oilar [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
In addition I am pretty sure Musical Instrument Makers Forum has plans too. www.mimf.com Darrin

Author:	douglas ingram [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
David, the MyLesPaul forum makes conservative classical guitar people seem pretty radical. I've read arguments there about the impressive sonic benefit of authentic Brazilian Rosewood fingerboards-nothing else will do. Not everyone is like that, obviously, but it never ceases to amaze me what the electric guitar people will argue over. Any particular reason why its a Les Paul that you want to build? The MIMF plan is for a '59 Les Paul Jr. Plans are here. too: http://www.guitarplansunlimited.com/Gibsonish.htm

Author:	schrammguitars [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
I've been playing guitar for 30 years. Classical as well as electric. I've always loved the Les Paul guitars. I play an old Explorer that I love. I might make one of those too. I have all the electric guitar making books, the stewmac LP plan and templates from http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com I've been wanting to get around to building one for many years. I guess the thing I'm most interested in is seeing how guys are carving the top.

Author:	Darrel Friesen [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
Great videos. I have never made a Les Paul, but have made a few archtops. I draw the topographical lines like Chris does. I then drill graduated holes to depth as per Benedetto's book. Then I start from the outside with the safety planer and work my way from the outside in, using the drilled holes to gauge my depth. This way, I dno't worry about losing my lines. The same but a little different.

Author:	40Grit [ Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
kfish wrote: I don't know why this thought is so funny to me, but I guess it goes with your picture. You'd think someone would have an online apprentice for a Les Paul by now. Here's a couple blogs with some good information. I haven't built one myself. I'm just getting around to my Online Apprentice CD for the Hauser. http://home.asparagine.net/ant/blog/?page_id=4 http://eksomething.blogspot.com/2008/12/hey.html Kent The second link is the blog from my build. If you have any questions during your build, feel free to ask. Mine didn't come out perfect, but I sure learned a lot. Eric

Author:	MRS [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
I would think that your experience building hundreds of acoustic would be a great start. Stew Mac has a good Les Paul blueprint that i think would all you would need. Never built a Paul since i own a Gibson flame top but have build a tele and and SG from plans years ago without online help since there wasn't any at the time but it would have been nice.

Author:	Miketobey [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:11 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
The most accurate "Burst" era plans have been newly offered by Tom Bartlett-"alk-3" on My Les Paul Forum. MLP has several extraordinary builds-- search "Wilkinson build," "ex-nihilo build(s) "icegator8", inspectorted and more. Several luthiers there build exact replicas and there are kits too. mt PS Bartlett is "Eastern Maple Hardwoods"-he sells tops, kits and more. I have the plans and they are excellent and Tom does some top blanks for me. He is a very nice man.

Author:	DannyV [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 10:35 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
I just finished carving a mando and used one of these. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... at=1,41182 I honestly couldn't think of a better tool for carving a top. That, a sharp goose neck scraper and ROS. A Les Paul is on my list also. And a Tele and a ................ Show us a picture when you're done David. Danny

Author:	Rob Warren [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:53 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
Hey Dave, I hate giving out other websites here but, jump over to projectguitar.com and check out there forum. Lots of creative ways to carve tops over there...

Author:	James Orr [ Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
I loved the MyLesPaul forum link and really took off with it. Here are some of the great resources I've found in the past week: Ex-Nihilio's first build (includes top carving): http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthiers-corner/25441-wilkinson-les-paul-build.html Ex-Nihilio's second build (CNC top): http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthiers-corner/38166-ex-nihilos-2nd-lp-build.html Ex-Nihilio's YouTube channel documenting detailed steps of a build: http://www.youtube.com/user/A1373S9865 Bartlett Woodworking's plans, templates, tops, kits, etc (the templates used in these threads): http://www.bartlettwoodworking.com/body.html Tom Bartlett's thread documenting a build (more sophisticated techniques): http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthiers-corner/68330-bartlett-build.html John Catto's drawing of a '59 Les Paul. More accurate than Stew-Mac's plan: Attachment: Lespaul59-ver10full.pdf Ex-Nihilio's top contours based on Stew-Mac plan: Attachment: LP topo - before.jpg Ex-Nihilio's top contours after input from Catto: Attachment: LP topo - after catto.jpg

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Author:	Mattia Valente [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
My favourite tool for carving is currently my angle grinder with a flap sanding disk in it. No lie. On my first few I did the 'stepped' thing, and may do it again if I start building towards a specific curve or template; these days I 'simply' route an index ledge (bowl bit) around the edge to taste, and then sand away the rest with the angle grinder, smooth things out with a random orbit sander, fine-tune the carve using an ibex finger plane and finish up (including recurve, etc) using a scraper. Good fun. Some people don't like the angle grinder because it's very, very agressive. You need a very gentle, light touch with it an get used to how it handles (the high velocity rotation gives it a sort of gyroscope effect). Re: Les Pauls, while I can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a lot of those replicas, I don't see why one would want to build an exact replica including all the 'design flaws' (stupid handling of binding, poorly thought out truss rod access, one-piece, headstock-break prone neck), but then I guess I've never quite fetishized a specific guitar model to that degree.

Author:	Mike OMelia [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:51 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
Great info here. Thanks for starting this thread. Maybe move some of it to the tutorial section? Those LV planes look great! Mike

Author:	James Orr [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
MyLesPaul forum is new to me, but there's so much great info over there! Thanks for the link.

Author:	James Orr [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthier ... build.html Ex-Nihilo's build threads are so inpsiring . . . I acquired all the wood and parts for an LP last spring. This thread's inspiring me to get it done. As soon as I finish my acoustic.

Author:	valter_bergamo [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
Hello David, okay? If you want some help for build your LesPaul, I can help in any way possible, I luthier in Brazil, I teach online there. Any doubts so ask if you want to add my msn: valter_bergamo@hotmail.com

Author:	douglas ingram [ Sat Jan 16, 2010 11:25 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Want to build a Les Paul
Mattia Valente wrote: My favourite tool for carving is currently my angle grinder with a flap sanding disk in it. No lie. On my first few I did the 'stepped' thing, and may do it again if I start building towards a specific curve or template; these days I 'simply' route an index ledge (bowl bit) around the edge to taste, and then sand away the rest with the angle grinder, smooth things out with a random orbit sander, fine-tune the carve using an ibex finger plane and finish up (including recurve, etc) using a scraper. Good fun. Some people don't like the angle grinder because it's very, very agressive. You need a very gentle, light touch with it an get used to how it handles (the high velocity rotation gives it a sort of gyroscope effect). Re: Les Pauls, while I can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into a lot of those replicas, I don't see why one would want to build an exact replica including all the 'design flaws' (stupid handling of binding, poorly thought out truss rod access, one-piece, headstock-break prone neck), but then I guess I've never quite fetishized a specific guitar model to that degree. That's pretty much how I would do it. I use an angle grinder extensively, this would be pretty much a no-brainer for me but I can easily see how its an issue for others. It all comes down to what experience we bring in. And I agree with Mattia about the rest, too.