My Les Paul. (Blondie)

Very nice!!!!

-- Wooden teeth are better than none.

Beautiful. I’ve asked this before on a couple of other projects, but no answer. How does it play & sound ? How do you know you won’t wind up with a guitar that looks great but plays/ sounds poorly ? How could you design those qualities into it ?

-- dnick, North Hollywood, Ca.

Looks great !

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

Hi dnick,
you will probably find that everyone who has made a guitar has made the nicest sounding most beatiful intrument in the world ! Luthiers will not admit to making a duffer !!!
This guitar sounds beautifully thick with real bass depth and a great top note with plenty of sustain. In short she is the best one I have made so far. I have made quite a few and will try to post photo’s as time permits.
In short to answer your question WOOD ! WOOD will be the most defining factor in how your guitar sounds.
For example BRW is the absolute finest tonewood out there. It has a tap tone like a bell.
Mahogany is a good one and maple is great for unequalled sustain quality.
I used Wenge on this little puppy for it’s great bass note and the maple for the top note and sustain.
It is not an exact science but knowing about wood and its acoustic performance does help a bit to ensure you don’t build a duffer.
Using a hollow body can cause feedback and some people do not like it but again it does resonate nicely.
I am waffling now but hopefully some of this will help to shed light on your questions.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Toolspud.

-- toolspud

Thank you jimmy and monte for your kind comments.
toolspud.

-- toolspud

SOOOO NIIIIICE!
I think the strip makes it!
You have true talent!
Great Job and thanks for sharing.

-- Robert B. Sabina, Ohio.....

Great stuff! I like the stripe!

-- Jason K

That is wonderful. You did a great job. I like how you continued the Wenge stripe up on the head (if that is the right word).

Congratulations!

-- "Too much hurry ruins the body. I'll sit easy … fan the spark" - I. Anderson

Cheers Gents !!!
Yeah I like the stripe as well. ChuckV yes it is Head. Headstock actually but let’s not split hairs.
As I said sometimes cock ups can work in your favour.
All the best,
toolspud.

-- toolspud

Hey toolspud, Thanks for the response. I did not know that. Thanks for the info. What do you make of these assemble & finish guitar packages from Rockler. If you know. I’m sure it wouldn’t be fun like making your own.

-- dnick, North Hollywood, Ca.

hello dnick,
yep i know em ! I have not ever seen one in the flesh but I think it would make for an interesting project.
It would limit your options somewhat because I think they are generally available in only swamp ash. But with that said Leo Fender did alright with swamp ash !
Give one a try ! But be warned making guitars can become very obsessive !
Unfortunately for me my career maved me in a direction away from the bench and is now so demanding that I have very very little time for fun.
Good luck,
toolspud.

-- toolspud