As the title of this blog entry implies, I am going to build my own guitar! By build I don’t mean to suggest that I will be carving my own out of wood, rather I am starting with a guitar husk. The husk is none other than a Gibson Les Paul. Yes you read that right! I’ve searched months for a husk that really speaks to me…I found it and will reveal it soon. Why not just buy one from a music store you may ask? Well, all of the parts on my guitar will be custom picked by me! Everything including the electronics. I want the experience of choosing every bit and having it all come together with my own hands. My build is being heavily influenced by the guitar Carlos Santana played while performing in the 1971 Montreux Golden Rose Pop Festival. I’ll be adding updates as the project progresses to keep you all up to date.
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My Gibson Les Paul guitar husk
Les Paul build has commenced. Installing the pickups. These are premium pickups with nickel covers.
Soldering output jack assembly and install
Installing and connecting the electronics. I chose “60s wiring” for this build.
Mounting volume and tone pots with thumb bleeders. CTS pots of course.
Les Paul install of both the bridge and tailpiece. Nickel plated lightweight aluminum.
Les Paul install of the tuners. Nickel keystone locking tuners. Check out how sick they look.
Les Paul install of the pick guard.