I have lurked here for a little while, and thought this would be a good time to introduce myself, as I am embarking on my first build. I spend a lot of time in the CNCZone forum, but as I am building a guitar I thought I might as well seek some guidance and inspiration here too.
A little back-story:
When I started playing guitar 22 years ago, the guitar I dreamed about was a Les Paul. I didn't get around to playing one until 4 or 5 years later, and by then I was a devout Ibanezian. You can imagine my dream-crushing dissapointment when I straped on the Les Paul and experienced a neck, that to my lumberjack hands, felt like a slightly oversized toothpick!
Over the years I have stayed true to Ibanez, and have honestly never found guitar necks that I enjoy as much.... and I have tried a lot!
About 12 years ago I switched from 6 to 7 strings, and though I gladly change back to 6 now and then, I would guess it only accounts for maybe 20% of my playing time.
I got into the CNC hobby a few years ago with the intent to make my own guitars. But it's first now that I have actually gotten as far as to start thinking about routing guitars. My homemade CNC router has a working surface of about 500x700mm. After my first guitar I intend to rebuild it to increase that a bit, as well as making it more rigid.
I have already started making some small scale guitars for my kids, and now I am ready to take the step up.... a really big step
So, the reason for this Frankenstein guitar: I still love the look of the Les paul, and I have wanted to take the step up from 7 to 8 strings, so voila.... the Mor'Paul. An 8 string 65.5" scale Les Paul with a Hipshot 8 string fixed bridge, and an EMG 808 active pickup.
Is it beautiful? It's a carved top Les Paulish body with an Ibanezish 8 string neck, so I would think that would be a resounding NO, but I think it's fun
I will try to document the build here, but don't expect this to be done in a few weeks
btw, the renderings don't represent the finished model. It's still a design in progress.
Views and comments appreciated.
cheers
Mikael
