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Working on a LP flat top. Similat to a LP TV Special for my daughter.
She is doing great on her acoustic, finger picking and strumming.
I want to minimize stuff on the top.
All gold hardware. Mini neck humbucker, one piece intonated bridge, one volume.
I plan to mimic Gibson's ocean perimeter blue and green color scheme.
A. Mahog neck, Sapele body, Maple top, and Mesquite fretboard.
I plan to make an Ebony truss cover with her initial inlayed.
I may make an Ebony finger rest as well.
This will be a set neck with a simple neck pocket.
Comments and suggestions welcome.
Dan

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You say LP TV - which was a specific finish.... so will you do that on a maple top? Or just the hog?

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Nope, no yelllow. Maybe this is a Special? Or a Melody Maker with traditional head?

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Progress pics.

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Started applying the lacquer.
I'll be back in two months. Argh!

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Man! That thing POPS!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Thanks, Chris!
I applied dye directly to the wood. I put on a water conditioner,
applied a dark blue dye, sanded most of it off, and then applied green and blue.
I then buffed it with steel wool to lighten it up in the middle and blend it.
I like the dye on bare wood.
My book match does not match well, because I fed it through a planer.
The planer took out chunks, so the top as shown is the two outside surfaces of my board.
Lesson learned.
Dan

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I think you should go with a p90 pickup. Not because its an LP Jr style.......Ok yeah because it's an LP Jr style. Haha just my opinion. It's a very nice body


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That is a really cool guitar. I like the simplicity of the electronics and I think the color is excellent.

Thanks, Patrick!
I want to keep the top open for my daughter's finger picking. The back of the neck is flat to encourage her to place her thumb on the back.
I hope the fixed bridge does not guve me intonation problems.
Dan

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Dan, that is quite stunning. Your daughter should be very happy (and lucky). Your timing is good - I have a piece of wood that I want to make into a flat top and have been considering an LP Jr but have a few questions. I've built a carved top LP, but don't have plans for a Jr and was wondering about the neck pocket and general geometry. It looks like you've angled the neck four degrees or so and built a shim for the fretboard extension. Can you comment on setting this angle?

I've been considering chambering the body to bring the weight down a little - thoughts? Also thinking about various pickup options - one or two P90's or something similar or possible one neck pickup and that ToM bridge that Braggs makes with the piezo's in it.

+1000!

And I vote for a P90 too. Just love that sound. Using one is the main reason I want to build a solid body electric!

Thanks, Nick!
Well, I knew the blue dye would fade hanging in my garage for two months.
Disapointed that I did not keep it in the dark.
I reckon my daughter will be Ok with it.
I'm polishing it tonight.
I'll see how the mini bucker sounds. The cavity may be the right size for a P90.
I'm getting nervous about the fixed bridge. I did not want to install the bushings before I applied the finish. I measured three times which is two more than normal.

Dan

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Thanks Freeman!
I made templates for the end of the neck and neck pocket. The end of the neck is straight, so the fretboard hangs over the sides of the neck. I put shims under the pocket template and cut out the pocket at an angle. Nothing special, I did not go with the normal tenon. More like a tilted Fender pocket.
To set the neck angle, I did a mockup of the bridge and fretboard on the body and measured the angle. Not sure what is was, I think about 3-4 degrees. The body is some type of African Mahogany. I drilled out large holes to relieve some of the weight.

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Very Nice Dan! What wood is the fingerboard? It looks like you book-matched it...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

thanks Steve!
The fretboard is home harvested Mesquite. I just love the stuff.

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Dan, it's looking nice. From the picture I can't tell if the top is arched or flat like a LP Junior? The finish looks really nice!

Thanks, Anthony!
Flat top.

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Ooh...that's going to look FINE with some shiny on it! Nice.

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I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic

Finished it.
The intonation of the fixed bridge is excellent.
I located the bridge by using the scale length + 0.1" from nut to the low E saddle and it was right on.
My daughter is quite happy, which is all that really matters.
The pickup has a nice mellow sound.
I put some Fender stainless steel light gauge strings on it, but i think she would prefer Nickel strings.
Dan

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Very nice! I could shave in that... if I shaved...

Ha! Thanks Jamie!
Dan

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Classy!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

nice!

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I really have to start checking out this forum more often! That's a sweet guitar you made for your daughter. She looks very pleased! Once again, you've put your harvest of mesquite to fine use, Dan.
If I ever try my hand at an electric, thats the model that I would like to try. Very nice work!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker