How To Build An Electric Guitar, The Making Of A Custom Les Paul

In this photo-video diary, I show the process I used to build a custom Les Paul-ish guitar. Here are some of the specs:
- one-piece African mahogany back
- book-matched flamed maple top carved
- 24-3/4″ scale length
- wenge fretboard with flamed maple binding on the inside
- 7-piece lamined neck: mahogany / wenge / mahogany veneer / flamed maple / mahogany veneer / wenge/ mahogany
- Will Boggs 'VTP' pickups (Vintage tuned PAFS)
- Tru-Oil finish
You can see even more photos of this build here: projectelectric...
You can watch a short demo of this guitar here: • Blackstar ID:60 TVP - ...
Music Credit:
- Bro Time by Nat Keefe & BeatMower
- March On by Ethan Meixsell
Jakalian Guitars:
You can follow my guitar building work and stay connected through my Facebook Jakalian Guitars page / jakalianguitars
Interested in building an electric guitar? Join the Project Electric Guitar Facebook group here: / projectelectricguitar
Project Electric Guitar is on:
Facebook: / projectelectricguitar
Pinterest: / project-electric-guitar
Instagram: / project_electric_guitar
Google+: www.google.com...
Website: projectelectric...

[@HellcatCustoms]

Gorgeous guitar. The multi piece neck really looks great!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Chris!

[@josephmitchell204]

I love that you book matched the cover plates. Traditionally violin makers would carve a scroll into the head of the violin to show off their woodworking skill. The instrument therefor was as much a piece of art as it was an instrument. They guilded their tools as well. This attention to detail was indicative that the same attention had been paid in every aspect of the instrument’s creation. Custom to the bone. I will strive to emulate your workmanship and ethic going forward. Thanks for sharing.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you Joseph

[@mattterrell4304]

Work of art

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Matt

[@daveshepherd7582]

You continue to out-do your self and impress us all with the quality and attention to detail. Well done!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you Dave!

[@niilonevalainen2884]

Too beautiful, I cant watch anymore without a will to pick up my own self-made guitar!

[@bishlap]

very classy looking guitar. Love how original looking it is considering it's based on a Les Paul. I prefer a more geometric style inlay, but yours looks fine, fits the whole motif. Love the series, think I've viewed it more than a few times over the years. Thank you.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@aliascent]

I need one like this in my life. It's beautiful.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@robertsparkman8516]

Beautiful piece of maple, put to good use beautifully!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Robert

[@X_AAronFN]

Wow this came out AMAZING!!!!!!!!!LOVE IT

[@darrenchesterton6410]

That is a work of art. Beautiful

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you!

[@hungryarch7319]

Absolutely stunning

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks David!

[@canopychondros]

finally a les paul styled guitar without a bloody mahogany neck lol.
all the wood and work put into this is really beautiful man.
peace
ben

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you.

[@canopychondros]

thank you for making videos showing us these awesome guitars dude

[@kreamailcom2146]

Great work !

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you

[@Prodoozer]

Great build Araz!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Robbie!

[@MrSoulful88]

Outstanding! I'm speechless

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@praporsik156]

Роскошный инструмент. Мастеру респект и уважение...

[@Projectelectricguitar]

благодарю вас

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Nice ! Beautifully presented. Bravo !

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@nininmartin2537]

Awesome job as always ! It's astonighingly beautiful !

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@kcsvantasticvoyages9729]

Beautiful

[@ClydeBuilt]

Stunning !

[@alexanderturl]

Immaculate build mate, looks amazing.

[@parachuteman4]

Beautiful guitar!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks you!

[@marcosrobertsonofficial]

Awesome man! that les paul is perfect

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Marcos.

[@donvanco3078]

Looks really great, Araz!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Don!

[@p0sher]

Perfect video! Well done! Just the right amount of information with excellent results. Lovely guitar!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you

[@AntonioCavicchioni]

Very nice and beutiful piece of artwork!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you Antonio!

[@danielcastillo1225]

Magnificent job Sir

[@AliBuchan]

An absolute beaut!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@jerryx2000]

Beautiful guitar. How heavy is the guitar and why didn't you make the neck heal smaller.

[@xavierbalzola880]

Outstanding work !!!!...that neck is to DIE FOR....If you ordered this from Nashville they would charge you 10K.....

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Xavier!

[@tkmafkng]

what a beautiful guitar!!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you.

[@jimilundin3538]

Looks great Nice build

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@UrsoRaivoso]

Awesome skills and talent, thanks for sharing.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Urso!

[@hheidrick]

Beautiful!!!!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!!

[@genethomas2000]

Great no. Really dig the neck

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@rubenaple]

Wooooow

[@coolwaterdvr]

Beautiful!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@guitarscarsetc.etc.7215]

Looks awesome, top reminds me of slashs afd les paul

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@davydmir6565]

great work man!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Davyd!

[@NKN82]

Awesome !

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@fightcancer9488]

i like the cutaway on the back to make it sexier. Is that your own idea or did Gibson ever try that on theirs? also how deep is it like 3/4 at the edge tapering to zero in about 2 1/2 inches or so? is there a template for this or did you just wing it. Thanks - building my own and I really like what you did. great work.

[@timothydavenport8158]

Can you make this in a lefty? Bolt on neck pocket, one bridge humbucker, slanted single for hot rails at the neck. One volume and one mini toggle. Floyd rose route minus recess (going to rout for lions claw recess for looks). Spalted veneer?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

In theory yes

[@timothydavenport8158]

@@Projectelectricguitar thanks for your response. Would you be willing to take on a project like this and what would it cost to build? Thanks again for your response

[@BigEdWo]

looks nice

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@gingerjam2192]

Nice! Is it me or the mahogany body is thiner than on a regular LP? (1 3/4” or 44.45mm)

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

Looks awesome man. I like the knob recesses and the maple peghead veneer. Where did you get that large maple billet? The figure is pretty incredible.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks. I got the maple from a local (Montreal) hardwoods store.

[@saarbrandvin7749]

Wowwwwwwww its perfect

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@HungrySharkMaster]

Hey, whenever I try soldering audio cables to fix them either on an electric guitar or just an audio cable, when its done, I always get a lot of fuzz and barely any audio out of it. I think it's the ground wire that's making it fuzzy because when I squeeze it, it starts working better. How do I solder an audio ground wire so that it has a good connection? Thanks

[@josephatnip2398]

Vary nice I think it would look better with binding on the front but to each his own can I ask if there is any particular reason why you didn't put binding on it

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Joseph. In general, I don't like the idea of having plastic on handmade guitars, in my view, it takes away from the quality of the build.

[@StMoritzGuitars]

Beautiful job mate . I'm curious , how thick was the maple cap before you started the carve ? I started making LP tops with 3/4" (19.05 mm ) thick caps but I was told early Les Pauls used 5/8" (15.8 mm ) thick caps.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks! I don't recall how thick the cap was... This is a custom build so I'm not trying to mimic a Les Paul so I wasn't worried about getting the cap thickness correct...

[@jameswellington4795]

Bit late, but just by looking at the video and my 2002 59 reissue I'd say around the 1.5-2" mark.

[@dedepoxetgames4566]

Linda guitarra

[@Projectelectricguitar]

gracias

[@Schaz42]

What neck template is that, I’ve been looking for one with a volute?

[@eladgotlib5877]

Hello,
What are the dimensions of the body? The length? The width?

[@manimejia]

daaamn dude thats better than a gibson!! do you have the blue prints or where can i get the templates?, Im starting on the DIY stuff and im making a tele, I would like to make a LP

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks! You can find many blue prints online, just Google it...

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Also, come join my Project Electric Guitar Facebook group. Lots of friendly and knowledgeable guitar builders... amateurs and experts alike... facebook.com/groups/ProjectElectricGuitar/

[@adolfoagudelo8462]

Beatifull guitar! You are a great master luthier! Dude how you get that color? How many color tone liquid stain?

[@rossman265]

What a gorgeous looking guitar. How can I order one?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks. You can follow my guitar building and stay in touch with me on my Jakalian Guitars Facebook page facebook.com/JakalianGuitars
That's where I'll announce new guitars that are for sale.

[@paulolopes3726]

Did you finish all in tru-oil? Awesome!!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks! Yes, the whole guitar is finished in tru-oil.

[@jurgenzoller4407]

I noticed you didnt mortice and tenon the joint, rather you built it like a bolt on, just a longer neck pocket. Do you feel that his joint is as good as a M&T joint, it seems that to me, but easier to cut and fit.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

That's correct, it's not a traditional Gibson-style neck joint, it's a PRS style which I much prefer...

[@jurgenzoller4407]

@@Projectelectricguitar thanks araz, let me get this clear though, I'm not familiar with prs guitars, but if I just do a longer Bolt on joint, it should be fine to set in with glue. And yes I am Jurgen from the facebook group, just different profile pic!

[@cabronismo]

what stain (brand and color) you used for this?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

The stain is called ColorFX (I think it's the same as TransTint is the US) and the colour is amber.

[@friedrichbahk5675]

I'm not sure why you build as body chambered. I am worrying for heavy. Do you have Any reason? I just want to know

[@Projectelectricguitar]

It's not too heavy. The mahogany I used it not very thick. The final thickness of the guitar is less that a true Gibson but a bit more than a PRS.

[@SweetSpotGuitar]

Volute FTW.

[@niilonevalainen2884]

make a strat someday

[@Terry3Gs]

Now your guitar there is worth gibson custom shop prices vs the crap gibson pushes out !!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

haha... thanks!

[@BoozyBeggar]

Looks better than 100% of Gibsons, unfortunately for Joe Blo the average guitar schmo like me.

[@Stardust0000]

Would you sale one of those les Paul's?

[@sk-fm9uz]

Can i have that such beautiful Guitar :)

[@dannyh7557]

Probably better than a Three Thousand dollar pos Gibson.

[@Dude_Slick]

How to? "In this photo-video diary, I show the process I used"
No! No you didn't. You show the progress, not process. It turned out very nice, but this is not a "haw to" by any stretch of the imagination.

[@fightcancer9488]

i like the cutaway on the back to make it sexier. Is that your own idea or did Gibson ever try that on theirs? also how deep is it like 3/4 at the edge tapering to zero in about 2 1/2 inches or so? is there a template for this or did you just wing it. Thanks - building my own and I really like what you did. great work.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I don't know if Gibson has ever done that but I do it on almost all my builds for ergonomics. As for dimensions, I just wing it but never go deeper than half-way in the center.

[@fightcancer9488]

Thanks