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Got started on this today, will do the scarf joint on the neck on Thursday, I have too much going on right now.
Neck will be mahogany, Body will be sapele, top will be paint grade maple. I am not sure what color I am going to paint it. But I got the basic design on there, and routed for the toggle switch, I am going to run the wires through the neck pickup into the bridge pickup cavity into the control cavity, much easier to do it this way.

Wood looks good. As for the maple top being "paint grade", i hope that doesn't mean you're going to paint it. I think it has some nice grain, and I think I even see a slight bit of figure. I'd clearcoat that, or even do a burst, maybe. Gibson put out many plain top LPs that were beautiful. Besides, as long as you're not building from really ugly wood, I'd show it. IMHO, even pretty plain wood can be beautiful and worth looking at.
Excited to see this build progress.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I'm with Mike on that.
Even though the top is not bookmatched,
still looks great.
That top looks like pretty much quartersawn.
Kind of hard to find plain maple like that.

I think if I stained that guitar it would look cheap, like one of the jap knockoffs or something. I am thinking of making it a goldtop with a white back and natural binding.

I'm with Mike and Alan on this one. A friend of mine has a plain top Les Paul with a sunburst and it has such a beautiful, understated look to it. Ultimately, it all comes down to your taste, but I don't see a reason to cover up that maple unless you actually want a solid color. It definitely doesn't NEED to be covered up.

Finally a little progress, body is cut out and done, neck has been scarf jointed and just need to route the truss rod channel, then I need to figure out what electronics configuration to use and then get started on all that.
Btw, the curl looks more impressive in this pic than it actually is. But I decided to let my wife decide how she wants it, so it may not be a goldtop anymore, whatever she wants is what I will do. I have to admit, for this to be for her, it sure is a heavy bugger.

Lookin' good so far!
About the weight, I used to love heavy guitars when I was younger. And I love a nice Les Paul. But 3 or 4 years ago, my back started screaming every time I tried to play, so now, not so much a fan of them. Not that it's a deal breaker if I like the guitar. But there are now guitars I prefer to play standing, and ones I prefer to play sitting, lol.
Also, if the curl is present, which it is, you might be able to accentuate the grain by staining a dark color and then sanding back, leaving the stain only in the grain. Worth a shot.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Well, leveled the top, then took out the cove bit and started the topography carve, and I got my drum sander and sanded out a relief in the lower horn. Can't do anymore of the carve until I get the back leveled, place my control knobs, and route out the back.

That cutaway looks killer. You have to name it.

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

Okay, finally some progress pics, got the neck almost done. I have to do some sanding and drill for the tuning pegs, then buy a fretboard and slot it. This build is going sloooooooooooooooooooooow

Personally, I love the look of plain mahogany with clear lacquer, and you really should show off the grain of that maple. Maybe you could use an aniline dye - something that would reveal the grain, but still pop some colors?

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

I agree!

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Thanks guys. Someday I hope to sell my own line of guitars. This is my 4th build ever. 1st was a total disaster, I swore off building, 2nd was going okay, made some mistakes, but then my father in law died and the guitar was for him, so I stopped it. 3rd one was the telecaster, made mistakes on it, but not that big of ones, the wiring is still f'd up on it and I can't figure it out, so I just play it unplugged. This one is my 2nd original design, first is a flying v that I had built. I am going to design and make one more. And I also came up with my own scale lengths, this guitar will be the first time I try one of the custom scale lengths.

I always enjoy you fellows work as well. Much better than mine.

Took forever, but neck pocket routed and top carved.

Loving it even more!

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

Thanks! It's been a long time since I did anything to this guitar. Feels good to get a lot out of the way.

Love that headstock design .

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Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
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I love the wood /headstock shape - looking good man!

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"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

Thank you all for the kind words, I am flattered!
Here is the latest update, I have the back toggle switch cavity and cover made up, first time I have done this, but I think it came out pretty good.