Basket Case 52 Goldtop .... Conversion Candidate Just For Me

[boogieongtr]

Next up the bridge installation. I tape a 1/8" shim to the bottom of the bridge and position it on my mark.

I'm using a Callaham ABR-1 with 2" SS screws. I always start with SS screws and once the guitar is assembled I have the option to use brass or steel. Each have their own tonal characteristic. I want the top end to be sweet & clear.

Pre bore for the posts. Note the blue tape on my bit. I want my bridge posts for go 1" into the mahogany,

Tap out using a 6/32 bit

Tail piece and bridge post installed. Next up is to route for the pickups. I always layout for the pickups before routing.

Pickups routed

I string it up and notch the saddles using rounded files. At this point I usually play the guitar for about 30 minutes. It gives me a good feel for where the top end will sit and overall character of the guitar.

 

[JIMI55LP]

I love to watch your work!

 

[Wilko]

While you have obviously got the bridge placement accuracy with your template and all, a lot of guys would have made the tailpiece line through the knobs a top priority. To do that you have needed to do the bridge/tail before the controls.

Doesn't make it sound any different, but is one of the "tells" that make personal conversion/restoration jobs unique and interesting!

 

[bluesforstevie]

Great thread!!!

 

[boogieongtr]

Getting towards the end and now the fun begins. Grain filler first.

Aniline dye for the back & neck

I pulled the frets since I'm going to refret the guitar.

Lightly dress the fingerboard

Ready to work on the top. Sand with 320 then 400.

Tape off the body & neck and shoot the yellow aniline dye.

 

[moonweasel]

Jim,

Do you mind sharing the info on your grain filler? If it is it "off the shelf" / store bought, what brand is it?

The reason I ask is that i am close to building my first guitar, and I don't know where to start when it comes to grain filler.

If it is a trade secret / homemade brew of some sort, I will totally understand if you don't feel comfortable sharing. Thanks

 

[dretot]

Love how the top just comes alive with the dye.

[/QUOTE]

 

[Wilko]

wow, that top is amazing!

Oh, is your dye in lacquer? I've wiped on yellow dye into the wood, which is not how originals were done.

 

[cjp54]

Jim, are you going to reshape the heal graph that's hidding the dowels or is that all ready finished? Thank you for sharing this project with us. Sorry for all the questions!

 

[boogieongtr]

Jim,

Do you mind sharing the info on your grain filler? If it is it "off the shelf" / store bought, what brand is it?

The reason I ask is that i am close to building my first guitar, and I don't know where to start when it comes to grain filler.

If it is a trade secret / homemade brew of some sort, I will totally understand if you don't feel comfortable sharing. Thanks

Send me an email

wow, that top is amazing! Yea it has a great vintage look.

Oh, is your dye in lacquer? I've wiped on yellow dye into the wood, which is not how originals were done.

No I don't wipe the dye on. I use a spray gun and the same application technique that a lot of my builder friends do.

Jim, are you going to reshape the heal graph that's hidding the dowels or is that all ready finished? Thank you for sharing this project with us. Sorry for all the questions!

No, what you see is what you get

 

[hogy]

A minor point:

As a '50s Les Paul gets paint chips around the headstock you see that white holly veneer showing. To me, that's part of "the look".

When you dye the wood, that doesn't happen. Now it looks like wear on a '70s fiber board headstock overlay.

 

[boogieongtr]

I'm going heavy with the color so I can fade it back.

Here is the color in natural sunlight.

 

[sharky]

A minor point:

As a '50s Les Paul gets paint chips around the headstock you see that white holly veneer showing. To me, that's part of "the look".

When you dye the wood, that doesn't happen. Now it looks like wear on a '70s fiber board headstock overlay.

good observation. I like that look with the pale holly veneer sides much, much, much

 

[Tom Wittrock]

I'm going heavy with the color so I can fade it back.

That's how they painted them when new. :dude:

 

[kharrison]

That's how they painted them when new. :dude:

Seriously?

 

[Minibucker]

Yeah, apparently brand new the cherry was very deep and pretty far into the middle area. It's rather wild that the 'shortcomings' of the dyes with UV light for those few years ended up making such beautiful and unintended faded patterns.

 

[Red Baron]

Amazing progress in only 2 weeks and it's been really interesting watching it come together. :jim

 

[Tom Wittrock]

Seriously?

Of course! :jim

This one has only faded a little.

Check out the fade.
Then gauge the amount of red it started with.

 

[Tom Wittrock]

Check out the original that inspired this thread:
http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2474260#post2474260

 

[dretot]

and this one..... (from the Gil thread)



Love your work Boogie... more pix:applaude