BCR Greg Posted November 11, 2011 Posted November 11, 2011 Well....Here's what we started with...... Yuck. Signed by THE MAN, hisseff! So the parts are off.... And it gets uglier...... Peel time! OH. MY. GOD. I never saw a festering headstock repair before. Time to go get some counseling. Using microwaved damp paper towels to steam off the glue... What's REALLY under there... Verrrrrrrrrry NASTY! It broke like shuffling a deck of cards. The front after cleanup.... Break line on the bass side, clamp compressions, general ugliness.
G Man Posted November 11, 2011 Posted November 11, 2011 Now where's that popcorn smiley when I need it. At least the guitar finally found the right man for the job.
atquinn Posted November 11, 2011 Posted November 11, 2011 I don't understand how the guitar was even playable after the original "repair"?!? -Austin
hamerhead Posted November 11, 2011 Posted November 11, 2011 Ya gotta love the tape repair job. Pre-duct tape? The guy's a pioneer!Can't wait to see the finished product.
burningyen Posted November 11, 2011 Posted November 11, 2011 I don't understand how the guitar was even playable after the original "repair"?!?-AustinSeriously, yech.
BubbaVO Posted November 11, 2011 Posted November 11, 2011 Very happy to see Greg put up another bench report. This one looks like a mess. Can't wait to see the progress on this one.
killerteddybear Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Are you going to address the divots in the fingerboard? Nevermind the frets...
Ned B Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 I wonder what it will look like when you get it apart.
FrankieIII Posted November 12, 2011 Posted November 12, 2011 Using microwaved damp paper towels to steam off the glue...Genius!
dgstandard Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 Wow. Looking forward to see the end result. I really, really, super-really liked the last '52 you fixed.http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/vintage-les-pauls/165433-1952-les-paul-finally-home-pics-vids.html
BCR Greg Posted November 15, 2011 Author Posted November 15, 2011 Well it's been busy 'round here.....here's the latest. Routing for the splines. By hand. With a Dremel. While listening to the Allmans. Cutting the splines from 50's Gibson mahogany from the stash.... Shaping the splines. On a belt sander. By hand. While listening to Cactus. So far, so good.
zenmindbeginner Posted November 15, 2011 Posted November 15, 2011 You clearly need a big ol' set of balls to even consider tackling this project. Greg must cart his around in a wheelbarrow...
BCR Greg Posted November 16, 2011 Author Posted November 16, 2011 You clearly need a big ol' set of balls to even consider tackling this project. Greg must cart his around in a wheelbarrow... Not true, but thanks! Some progress...... Splines ready for installation. Clamping. The small clamp keeps the splines parallel and allows more compression force to be used. A week later.... Shaping them with my grandfather's chisel. Ready for grain filling. Fun, huh?
velorush Posted November 17, 2011 Posted November 17, 2011 I had a different question: I've never seen one of these 1st-gen trapeze Pauls up close before. Are the strings supposed wrap below, or is there a neck angle issue? Just curious. Looks like it would make palm muting near impossible. Otherwise, some day there needs to be an entire web site dedicated to these bench reports!
gorch Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 Keep going... Got me a new bagful of popcorn btw.
kenjones Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 I had a different question: I've never seen one of these 1st-gen trapeze Pauls up close before. Are the strings supposed wrap below, or is there a neck angle issue? Just curious. Looks like it would make palm muting near impossible.http://www.allaboutg...pauls-52-54.phpThat's the main reason why a 1952 Les Paul isn't all that desirable/collectable compared to all the other 50's models.
atquinn Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 Learn something new everyday. I'm glad to be living in a time when they have the basic stuff like this figured out!-Austin
murkat Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 Same is then, as is present. Corporate don't listen to the engineers. It is not cost effective. Then it is too late. Then they spend the money over what they should have done in the first place. That's how it goes.
marcus2 Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 Wow! This is too cool. I'm looking forward to further updates.Marc
DBraz Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 Wow. That is amazing. I agree with the other forum member - you have balls!
Pieman Posted November 25, 2011 Posted November 25, 2011 One of these days you will be on PBS or some cable channel. There really should be a program for stuff like this.
BCR Greg Posted December 17, 2011 Author Posted December 17, 2011 Update. First color on the repair... Prepping the face for clear after a ton of cosmetic work.... Final buff after clearing the face..... ...and the back...... More to come.
Question
BCR Greg
Well....Here's what we started with......
Yuck.
Signed by THE MAN, hisseff!
So the parts are off....
And it gets uglier......
Peel time!
OH. MY. GOD.
I never saw a festering headstock repair before. Time to go get some counseling.
Using microwaved damp paper towels to steam off the glue...
What's REALLY under there...
Verrrrrrrrrry NASTY! It broke like shuffling a deck of cards.
The front after cleanup....
Break line on the bass side, clamp compressions, general ugliness.
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