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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | I put on some chemical remover (paint remover wasn't enough).
The back looks great, and now I'm ticked. The front areas look FANTASTIC, when they weren't screwed up with. Apparently some idiot tried sanding off the lacquer on some places, and the paintjob got absorbed into that wood, which may be impossible to get out.
The binding is still in good shape, which has me thinking of doing a Goldtop 1959 look, and on the bay I've found some decals for the headstock that have the custom LP style and the Standard. I'm debating whether or not to get one of those. |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Are you documenting this makeover with photos? May be helpful to others. |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | I'll take some pictures in a few minutes.
Thanks for the idea. |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | Here we are.
As you can see, the front has been damaged by some sanding. And for whatever reason the top layer is so thin at this point it can be peeled. I think a paintjob must be done at this point, and not a burst that shows the wood off either...
Once the back is cleaned up, it should actually look pretty nice.
Like I said, with the back looking nice and the binding looking good, I might do a 1959 Goldtop style.
Any more ideas? |
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August 2005
Posts: 9
Location: Morrilton, AR | Too bad about the front! The back cleaned up very nicely! :(
It looks like someone sealed the electrical compartments with some sealer already. I dont have anything in mine...and you can tell it. Someday I'll have to fix that problem..lol |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | But I think with the Goldtop it'll actually look quite nice - and if I decide to buy Gibson clone decals, people might think I shelled out $3000 for this.
I'm looking at some Bill Lawrence pickups right now...
I'm definitely interested in them. |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | Update:
I've decided to go for an EVH style (NOT the guitar player, the guitar manufacturer) in being a flat black with all black hardware.
I ordered Bill Lawrence L-500XL and L-500R pickups about a week ago, they'll be here in a month. They're bladed pickups (Dimebag Darrell used them before/during the Seymour Duncan endorsement, so think Seymour Duncan Dimebucker look).
Decided on black Sperzel tuners, but I might decide to go for Schallers in the end.
Today I'm putting on some coats of flat black. Expect some pictures later today or tomorrow.
I'll be getting a Schaller bridge as well. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Starting to sound more interesting.
I am looking forward to the pics! |
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August 2005
Posts: 9
Location: Morrilton, AR | Awesome. Ready to see pics!
Actually..I just painted my "Les Paul" a few days ago...and it's funny that you mention EVH..but for me, it would be Eddie..not the mfr. The wood look became too boring for me. Check out my pickup questions thread to see that one and my strat project.. |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | Here they are. The paint needs to be evened out a little, and I still need to put paint sealer and make it smooth, but this is pretty much what it will looks like.
Front: 
Back:
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | nice.
In your next round of photos, can y'turn the paper over? . . . I'd like to finish that story in the "Arts" section . . . |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | What a coincidence...
I saw the Arts section on the photo and thought it'd be funny if one of you guys commented on it (like when you mention the lamp on page 1). And now you did.
I love this board ^_^ |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | Update:
Painting is complete, guitar looks awesome
Bill Lawrence pickups are in, they look amazing and I can't wait to install them
I ordered the hardware today, it should be here in a couple weeks. Consists of:
Black Gotoh Tuneomatic Bridge
Black Tailpeice
Black Sperzel Tuners
Black Speed Knobs
Along with that, the pots, pickup switch, output jack, and wiring have been ordered.
In 2 weeks, expect the guitar to be ready. I have high hopes for this guitar, considering all of the parts in it are brand name and of high quality. |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | And at last...I give to you...the complete Parsons Les Paul - Custom.
And the body zoomed in:
With Gotoh bridge and tailpeice, Sperzel tuners, rosewood fretboard, maple top, basswood back, Bill Lawrence L500XL and L500R handmade pickups, and flat black finish, the Parsons Les Paul Custom is the ultimate Les Paul shredding guitar. Made FROM wood, built FOR metal.
I thought that was a nice little advertisement for my guitar. The intonation problem has been fixed (nut wasn't cut correctly, and truss rod was too relieved), and with the pickups, the guitar sounds great. NEVER even a TINY bit of static or other kind of noise from these pickups. They're great.
I know, it does need a truss rod cover. I think I'll get a custom engraved one from a site I found. I also need to get a decal logo for the headstock. I also found a place that does custom ones, so it'll have Parsons (me last name) written on the headstock.
Whadya think guys? |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | bump? Nobody cares? No comments?
I thought this would get some, with it being complete and all. But maybe not. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Heres a pat on the back for a job will done. A guitar like that will alway have a character that an off-the-shelf instrument cannot match. |
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February 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | Man it looks great!... What do you figure you've got in it? |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Slipped through the cracks with all the holiday chatter. How about some sound clips! |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | I third the request for sound clips. I think it looks kind of goth. Then again, you do say it's built for metal. Congrats on a job well done! |
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June 2005
Posts: 231
Location: N.J. | Stephen,
That came a long way from what it originally was!! There really must be a great sense of pride being able to play an instrument you either brought back to life or built from scratch. I also would like to hear some sound clips as I'm curious how the Bill Lawrence p-ups sound. :) |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Great job. Thanks for all the updates, this has been a great thread to follow. Guitar looks great. Bet it sounds great too. Did you ever consider painting it bright green... :D |
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May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | Looks great Stephen. Probably sounds good too. I just wish I had the time and patience to do something like that. :)
I did buy a used Les Paul Studio Lite model M3. This isn't quite like the normal Les Paul. It has 3 p'ups, 2 hums, and a single, w/ a 5 way switch, no rhythm & trebel switch. It has the cherryburst finish, and ebony fret board. The finish is bad in a few places, as it spent most of its life on a stand that reacted with the finish, but it plays wonderfully. I looked at a lot of Les Pauls, but I liked the way this one felt best. :) |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | I'd like to record a sound clip of it...but I don't have any software (or hardware) for doing that kind of thing (along with my guitar and amplifier not being close to this computer). Any suggestions on free software I could use without buying any expensive recording hardware? Or if the hardware could be inexpensive?
Thanks for all the compliments on it guys. |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Stephen!! :mad:
Now you got me looking at Gothic Les Paul's form both Gibson and Epiphone!!! I might even stray as far the the LP VooDoo, but I'm not crazy about the red skull at the 5th fret. I like the way yours came out allot!! |
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My New Les Paul - But its not what you think
