BCR Bench Report; Restoration of a 1973 Les Paul Deluxe

[BCR Greg]

Broken in 1978, now ready for new life...

The headstock from a destroyed 2002 Les Paul Standard, and the lines showing what material will be removed.

My fancy headstock leveling fixture. Be jealous, it's classy.

Beginning the route to the fingerboard.

Cutting the angle by hand.

[tommy p]

That was amazing.

[Stokesdead]

good job greggles

[ArnieZ]

_{Great Job! as usual}

_ArnieZ

[bcsride]

Thanks for posting the thread BCR greg

[FrankieIII]

Amazing work. Bravo!

[Hamer Dave]

Is that considered a face-lift? Awesome work!!

[Armitage]

Greg has way too much talent and patience. Excellent work.

[Disturber]

Nice WORK!

A question: Is it easier to repair a one piece neck that has broken off than a neck, (like Hamer's), already using several parts of wood glued together?

However, a Hamer neck is more sturdy to begin with I guess?

[tbonesullivan]

Look closely at the pictures of that LP Deluxe. One of the changes that were made during the Norlin years was to use multi-piece necks. That deluxe has a three piece neck, and it still got broken. The multiple pieces is to add stability to the neck and prevent twisting warping. At least, that's the reason I've heard regarding Hamer using the three piece necks.

[BCR Greg]

Greg has way too much talent and patience. Excellent work.

You forgot to add "beauty" to that comment, but it's okay. Thanks anyway!

[BCR Greg]

Nice WORK!

A question: Is it easier to repair a one piece neck that has broken off than a neck, (like Hamer's), already using several parts of wood glued together?

However, a Hamer neck is more sturdy to begin with I guess?

My initial plan was to replicate the original, large head in multi piece, but the 2002 Standard came in with grievous body damage and I had a "challenge" moment. The neck was much thinner, so I had to fatten it up with the old mahogany under the board. It would have been easier to make a new neck, or a new head, but I had carte blanche from the customer and I like the idea of "Frankensteining" the guitar and the 14 degree pitchback is always a plus.

[Jason01]

I think I've been looking at these too much. I see a broken headstock and start to smell coffee...oh no wait, the wife made coffee.

[alantig]

Standing ovation, sir. This is why when anyone asks about fixing a neck break, one name comes to mind. Nobody actually listens to me, but I recommend you!

Alan

[BCR Greg]

They go hand in hand.

[cloakerz]

"Lots of work not shown"-understatment of the century!

[HAMERMAN]

Excellent fix and great pictures!

Why were the inlays freshly installed? Were some of the originals missing or do they have a tendancy to dry up and fall out or something like that (so re-gluing is just a preventive measure)?

That's a beefy looking router base. I thought the Stew-Mac one was pretty impressive until seeing that, is it made by BishopCochran?

[iownit4]

_{that was sweetness.. Greg is great and his pics are even Better}

[BCR Greg]

Excellent fix and great pictures!

Why were the inlays freshly installed? Were some of the originals missing or do they have a tendancy to dry up and fall out or something like that (so re-gluing is just a preventive measure)?

That's a beefy looking router base. I thought the Stew-Mac one was pretty impressive until seeing that, is it made by BishopCochran?

The inlays curled up and peeled out of the routes. I turned them over, cleaned them up and reinstalled them.

I can't remember where I got that router base.....I picked that one up at a NAMM show a few years ago.

[backinit]

Thanks for sharing.

Is it possible to restore a neck that has been shaved?

[murkat]

^

yes

[devrock]

Amazing work, sir. I can only hope to have those skills some day. Glad you kept the goldtop. Major mojo there.