Super custom one of a kind Les Paul..... and it's mine!!!!!

[martinedwards]

Hi gang, well I know most of you shredders wouldn't give the acoustic area the time of day, but there has been a wee thread over there about me building an acoustic les paul

If you've read the acoustic thread, feel free to ignore this, I'm just showing off!!

It's now finished and will prolly be getting it's first gig on Sunday.

The mahogany came from a science counter from a refurbished classroom. the pale wood is birch. the whole thing was hollowed out using all the lovely power tools I have in work. The back is 3mm thick, the front about 4mm

The pix are below

dunno why the sizes are so different, but there you go.......

Ok, reminder...... this is HOMEMADE not HANDMADE!!!!

I KNOW thet the truss rod cover is a few degrees off centre..... It won't change the playability

I KNOW theres a few dings here & there (see above!!!)

There are a few frets that need the ends filed another 1/4 mm

the strap buttons are locking ones & the other strappy bits aren't shown.

the tuners are closer together than I'd have liked, but they are symetrical and they work...... there fore they're OK

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/gowanedwards/LPweb.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/gowanedwards/Lpbackweb.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/gowanedwards/cableweb.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/gowanedwards/fretmarkersweb.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/gowanedwards/headstockweb.jpg[/QUOTE]

[SigFig]

Cool guitar! What a unique piece. Lovely job!

[Richie Sambora]

well all in all its a pretty nice acoustic, congrats.

[Mr. Boston]

So that's totally hollow inside? But not chambered right? Like it doesn't have internal bracing or anything? From the first pic looks like you've drilled a buncha little holes instead of the usual one sound hole. I really LIKE that. Don't take this the wrong way, but that bunch of holes kinda reminds me of the little screen in a confessional booth, lol. Was that your intention, or just a happy accident? I think it's a MORE than appropriate stylistic leaning considering your style. You're a sinner, and that space within the guitar is your absolution, and those little holes are what deliver your absolution through music. I'm really digging the whole concept of this, which I may very well have entirely made up on my own. I would call this guitar "The Confessor" if I was you.

So how's it sound Martin, don't keep us in suspense. Some clips please!!!

[Puddlegum66]

That thing looks very cool.

[GibsonSGFreak]

wow... here's something you don't see every day!!! I love it!

[zero]

certainly dont see one of those everyday. Nice work. I love that neck

[hostilepony31]

make me one :D

[aussie_skater]

*jaw drops*
'
we must have sound clips

[KeithB]

Paint it red!

[The_Strokes123]

lookin good

[fretflyer]

*jaw drops*
'
we must have sound clips

+1^^ :eek: its like nothing ive ever seen before

[Munga]

I see mass-production in your future.

Alec

[martinedwards]

You know what I like about Jam Session?

Y'all are so SUPPORTIVE!!!

there is another forum where I posted this and they said things like... "straighten the truss rod cover" "it needs sanded more" "is it Symetrical?"

Now I KNOW that the TRC isn't straight. It was MEANT to be, but the nut end screw broke through into the trussrod cavity and it all slipped. this is my 1st ever attempt at fitting a TRC so while it's not perfectly straight, I'm happy enough with it.......

Yes it COULD do with a bit more sanding, especially on the curve above the neck, but I wanted to hear how it sounded!!!!

As for symetry, I copired it off a Gibson, so if it's wrong...........

Cool guitar! What a unique piece. Lovely job!
unique... oh yes!!! maybe there's a reason for that.........
well all in all its a pretty nice acoustic, congrats. Ta!!
I would call this guitar "The Confessor" if I was you.
Man you have issues!!!!

the grille was intentional, though originally I had wanted a series of concentric circular slots on the outside, but I couldn't lay my hands on a fly cutter for the job. I COULD lay my hands on a vertical mill.......

the eagle eyed among you will notice that the slots are about 2 degrees off horizontal :o
That thing looks very cool.
ta!!
certainly dont see one of those everyday. Nice work. I love that neck profile is a little chunky, but I like that in an acoustic (and I have big hands) the lams are sycamore & mahogany salvaged from a science lab........
make me one
Make me an offer!!!! (BTW were there really 30 people already registered as hostile pony on here?)
we must have sound clips
when i can..... it's tricky to get an amp, mic and pc all lined up at the mo......
Paint it red! NO!!!!! :p
I see mass-production in your future.never say never..... :D

[saintal]

I love the uniqueness of that guitar, wow! Did you get that tailpiece from Guitar Fetish?? And I love your analysis Mr. Boston haha.

[martinedwards]

Yup, tail piece, tuners & straplocks from Gfet, Bone nut & saddle From Brucewei, frets from frets4u,pup & preamp from choppersmusic all 3 on ebay, fingerboard & trussrod from David Dyke, Mahogany from a science room and birch from a shelf in the store.........

Someone asked how heavy..... about 5 1/2 pounds

[1ZeroReapeR1]

That looks sweet, very orignal. Plus you made it yourself ! Which makes it even better !

[stratman50th]

Nice job Martin!

[martinedwards]

in case anyone's interested theres a wee demo of the Les Paul on my soundclick......

totally clean, no eq or FX straight into the PC & audacity.

[mjshailes]

heya dude how much do you want to make me one of these?

if you make me one could you adjust it slightly to my own spec?

[iamadoorknob]

I dig that bridge. Righteous.

[Wildhawk]

The only change I would make on the next version is a soundhole design to fit with the religious theme of the truss rod cover which is pretty cool.

The headstock shape is nice and simple like Martins which is perfect.

Unbound necks on any guitar have my approval. Necks without binding feel so much better than those with. A classic body shape used, you made the right choice.

I like natural wood and simplicity so....A+

You should be proud of your efforts. I bet it was fun.

[martinedwards]

Yup!!

When I started out I wanted to have a guitar that was good enough so that I had to think a minute before I decide which one I'm using when I play in church on a Sunday. The LP gets at least half the gigs which is good!!

I'm currently finishing off a mandolin for Mishmannah, then another for a guy in Texas (!!!)

After THAT I have a resonator work out how to make happen......

As fo orders.......

I've been thinking about this and, well, I'm worried that it'll start to feel like a job and I won't wanna do it any more y'know?

Maybe I could build something new & sell the older models......

Oh I dunno, all I DO know is that too may guitars/mandos in the house may cause maritial disharmony!!!