Building a Les Paul Guitar body Luthier building process 59 copy

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Inside the Luthier's Shop with BigDGuitars.com. How I build Les Paul Guitar Bodies. Here is the finished guitar: • Finished Slash Les Pau...
If you like guitar building content and an awesome guy, please like, subscribe and comment on my vids. I try to answer most questions!
This is from blanks to done body.
copy carver vid:
• DIY Shop made Copy Car...
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[@Dreez76]

Always a pleasure watching a skilled woodworker.

[@bishlap]

Really appreciate your videos, and love the back story about your family and the old country. You have stringed instrument making in your blood. Thanks for the uploads.

[@stevesolo16]

Watching this reminds me how much I miss making Les Paul style guitars. I made a neck pocket jig similar to yours. I had rails on the sides of the pocked that allowed my router to cut at the angle at the wished. I had a screw on the bottom so I could adjust up or down. I am glad you posted this video. I want to set up my shop someday soon.

[@wataboutya9310]

Man! That body contour carver is awesome. Really enjoyed watching this video.

[@6stringwood]

Simply amazing quality work! Les himself would be proud to play one of your creations. Thanks for sharing. Great job!!!

[@bigdguitars]

thanks for the nice comment!

[@warrenweldon7552]

basically just counterfeiting Gibsons work

[@GlenDeanII]

@@warrenweldon7552, hey... we'd like to see your work... can you share some of your work... we'd really like to see some of your work... okay?

[@mikemccourt6225]

Love the jigs. When I was moving out of my last surfboard shaping shed, my wife tried to 'help' by throwing some "old scraps of wood" onto the trash pile. Funny how much those old scraps of wood put food on the table. Great vid

[@ZakarooNetwork]

You could consider using more glue when joining your tops. Water based glues draw into the wood. Also you could also slide the two halves together for a smear bond. Just a tip from a materials engineer. :)

[@RealDiaz]

Nice wine press clamp bro, thats genius!

[@timtaylor7731]

Great advice as you step through the various steps. Ive learned these lessons that hard way, so mad props for making life easier for those who are just getting started. Tear out can drive you mad. Feed direction is important, but even if you get that right, figured wood likes to tear

[@slackers_unite]

Absolute WIN! This is a true art form. I am sure that there is tons of skill that is required, but I can't imagine that any two guitars are the same. Awesome video and clearly he knows what he's talking about.

[@bishlap]

Physicians say watching an aquarium/fish is good for lowering the blood pressure, it's relaxing... for me it's watching BIG D do his thing - very relaxing.

[@TheNopxah]

Just a thought, when jointing an edge you want your jointed face (75%+ clean) pressed firmly against the jointer fence, apply pressure against the fence and not towards the bed. (side pressure not downward pressure) If you don't do this, yes your edge will be perfectly flat but not perfectly perpendicular to your face. I hope this helps! Also as a fun tip you may want to try scraping over sanding for a more consistent finish. Cheers and keep up the great work!

[@SDPickups]

Jeez, thats an insane amount of work, you make it look almost easy, but definitely years of practice....good job.

[@zovizovi893]

Well you guys got tools and can make them more and more if you want and thats my dream too .Beautiful guitar nice work👌👌

[@andrewkingston1]

I have to say you have one of the most gratifying job there is.

[@bigdguitars]

thanks!

[@matthewwolf3531]

its amazing how much work goes into one of these les pauls. I mean compared to a strat... its like night and day.

[@BigTB55]

Nice work! I'll never look at a Les Paul the same way again.

[@donarmando916]

Well yes. With all of that equipment it's way easier and faster to build a Les Paul. I had to carve the top by hand with some chisels and sand it with a sander that wasn't meant to be used for that. It worked because i wasn't exactly a newbie on woodworking but it was sweat and tears to get the job done. The same thing with the neck joint cavity angle. I mean how to do this job acurately without a standing router. That really was a hassle to get it done right.

[@darklink594]

Man, you've been inspiring me to build guitars since high school!

[@chrispatrick5715]

Awesome tutorial...you are a most generous and talented teacher. 🎼Thank you.🎶🎵

[@Drewcifer1972]

Absolutely the best instructional I have seen on this so far. Thank you.

[@bigdguitars]

my buddy made it. I will add a link in the desc of how its made

[@pamcarr4003]

Very nice D! I remember seeing your carver set up vid and now see it in action, way cool! Every time I think I have seen all your vids, another one comes up, lol! Love them all BigD, thanks, Pam

[@joshuapitz4906]

Love your videos... wish I could build guitars like you...

[@SOLENOID4]

happy me watching your passion for doing this and many congratulations for you !!!!!!

[@plexidust5101]

thanks for sharing , that was quite project. It gives a person confidence when a pro walks you through the process like yourself. Liked and Subbed , thanks again , David

[@beatleleebailey]

Looking good, can't wait to see it finished.

[@Nico357NOR]

The pickup mounting rings are angled to match the strings. I'm guessing thats what bigd will be using, unless he's directly mounting the pickups :)

[@hdiddy007]

Thanks for sharing this. Outstanding work!

[@dhajicek]

Excellent build video. Good job with the jigs.

[@CooCooAwesome]

Man that looks really fun! One day I'd like to build a honeyburst '59 Les Paul.

[@JymeBale]

Go to a large lumber yard and pick your own then you won't have run off or the other things you mentioned, well worth it and it will cost far less, people are always real surprised at the wood they find at real large yards.

[@TheIronWord]

Genius using that other les as a template!

[@mikedaknight1079]

13:40 that's awesome real life copy and paste 👌

[@davidrose2188]

Really great work I love to see a great craftsman

[@GlenDeanII]

Man, I wish I had your talent.

[@NoyzyBoyZ3]

Cool video man,watched the entire thing. Great job!

[@watahyahknow]

interesting archtop copier , was thinking myself of building one that lets the cut and follow top rotate horizontally under the folower and basicly cut the whole to in a big spiral , think that would end up with a smaller footprint and you can use an electric motor running a piece of alltread to move the whole router setup slowly across the surface as for copying an original archtop , you might be able to pull a rubber mould of an original and use that to cast an epoxy jig or make one on a 3D printer off a 3D photo of an original

[@christopherquirante9985]

Two thumbs up for this video. Great job!

[@klijnsmitguitars2979]

Awesome copy carver.

[@janviljoen41]

Very detailed and complete.

[@dustoff85]

Thank U 4 taking the time to make the video, I found it very interesting...

[@D1it4FN]

This is a great video. Nice work! One thing jumps out at me is the bandsaw work with the templates attached. Wouldn't following the pencil lines be as effective without unduly risking the template? Not that you don't have solid expertise... you do! (edited for egregious typo)

[@jackd.ripper7613]

They stay outside the lines in order to speed cutting the general outline. The sides are then sanded to specs. But this process is time and labor intensive and much of it unnecessary. A CNC machine is much faster and much more accurate.

[@alext9067]

Yeah, I can't understand that either. There is no reason to risk damaging the template.

[@kyzorsosay9938]

I enjoy your videos,best of luck in Nashville

[@walmars3curity]

Thanks again for your videos!

[@SuperCarver2011]

I use the finger technique to spread the glue as well. I'm surprised you didn't spread some glue on the other half of the edge of the book matched maple.

[@mrmurph5046]

I know you've got a fine tools in your shop, but no way you go that fast! ;) Seriously, nice vid - very interesting and informative!

[@edadpops1709]

man everytime you use that stanley pin router in sickens me, cause I sold mine and wish I never had.Its big and bulky but was such a great design

[@bigdguitars]

That is one of the great american tools. very simple, rigid as heck. In my youth I had enough wisdom to purchase a head that I saw was for sale locally, over the years I keep picking up parts for it. Golden era for sure.

[@smicksmookety]

Very unique jigs

[@Nichaelesv]

The table router sounded funny with the video sped up.

[@jordangraham8500]

Now THATS how you clamp a top on!

[@hcreval]

excelente trabajo gracias por compartir tu talento.

[@bigdguitars]

Here is the finished guitar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaOYgJeKq6-MiZI

[@dalmark1747]

+BigDGuitars - Hi, can you tell me about the thickness of the two body parts before gluing them together and how can I get your two templates you were using! a wonderful job dude!

[@Picplosions]

That was a brilliant watch mate :)

[@bigdguitars]

Ronny from guitar building templates. Take them and make 1/2 plywood copies.

[@guitarslf132]

When routing pickups, do you not want to make them the angle of the strings (Neck angle) So that the pickups are parallel to the strings?

[@Turboy65]

It doesn't make enough difference to matter. Whether the routes are perpendictular to the pickup plane or the back of the guitar, the difference is so slight that it's not a consideration. The pickups fit fine either way.

[@TavaresProject]

thoroughly enjoyed that!

[@GoMiGman]

Yeah I'd like to see how your buddy made that duplicator router jig as well. That's one of the better ones I've seen. Great job and your skills are excellent, coming from another fellow woodworker. You can tell when someone has it down when you see little nuances that you're familiar with as well. Only question I have is why do you use your fingers/hand to spread the glue, especially on the body. I can understand doing it on the small edge of the book-matched maple top, but the entire top itself to the body seems a big strange to me. Nothing wrong with doing it that way, of course, but why not use a brush or roller? I can only think that it's a good way not to waste any glue but there are some very efficient applicators out there.

[@bigdguitars]

I have used rollers and spreaders. I kinda like the finger I know exactly how much to use then. Habit I guess

[@hotforknowledge2111]

Great post and work...178 likes an 0 dislikes says it all...greetings from Switzerland :)

[@electricwally]

Thank you. Did you create an an angled neck pocket? As you are aware, depending on what you are using as a bridge, a typical Les Paul has about a 4.5° neck angle using a tune-o-matic bridge. Thank you for your time. Wonderful tutorial video.

[@arjlxv]

That was a super interesting video - thanks!

[@brucemunro7499]

Fascinating...thanks! ❤️ Les Pauls!!!

[@fachu2]

That's awesome, I've never watched the process before. That was great insight. How hard can it be. Hard enough that I will just keep purchasing kits.

[@davidledford3522]

I was exspecting you to carve it

[@Roadghost88]

That's a hell of a nice shop you have there with top equipment. I sometimes wonder why custom guys like you don't build your own guitar design. There are a million Les Paul guitar copies out there. I bet your guitar plays as well as the original since the composite body is the same material and no doubt so are the electronics. But if I had a shop and the skills you have I know exactly what I would be building, where no man has gone before.

[@bigdguitars]

very well said thank you. A couple custom designs in the works but nothing all that exciting...

[@bluesdriver6354]

Wow. Awesome!!!

[@imbinod2564]

Wow..aweasome.. working.. Which kinds of wood can use to making a guitar ?? Any wood ??

[@patrickhale424]

Hey...just a tip....you should remove your logo from the bottom right because it blocks your subtitles. Move it to the top left. Other than the high pitch dentist drill sounds it was a gr8 video !!

[@babarasad]

Hi there. Just had a question. I am looking to buy a Kris Derrig or Max Les Pauls? Have you heard of them? They are also a 59 copy (Replica). Sounds amazing and looks better than the original 59!

[@jschirino]

Hi. What is the thickness of the body once you glued both pieces together

[@Bloodray19]

it's a chonky boi as you can see in the video. Bet it has some heft to it. You gon have some back problems if you wear it often with a strap

[@scottwhite4711]

I've watch this video several times and get something new each time. REally well done. I like how you explain in detail each step. Getting ready for my first Les Paul build (a left handed LP). Once your body blank and maple top is milled, what is the thickness of each?

[@twootters7433]

That copier sure makes it easy. Better then drilling 1000 holes and using chisels...lol

[@jimi6strings]

12:23 to 16:00 is amazing. What is that machine called?

[@guitarrantsandstuff6986]

How much do you charge to build a 59 replica. I can do the finish and wire up and set up I just can't wood work like that.

[@wesbellmore6664]

The dentist drill soundtrack during the time-lapse sequences is AWFUL.

[@stevehinton5300]

Oh well.....

[@bishlap]

reminds me of van halen

[@violao206]

Great work here... I was curious why not endeavor to use hide glue?

[@rockyeasterline348]

Also your two piece of boards you glued together I think u should have squeeze tight those two boards together instead of vertically down that I would do second

[@SackKickingFatMan]

Nice job

[@johnnypk1963]

So have u ever run into any trouble w Gibson/Fender etc coming after u for building exact copies of their guitars?

[@dilanoral3233]

E

[@user-dr6tm4wc4m]

What is the thickness of the mahogany and maple when they are glued together?

[@jonvanlandingham2538]

How deep did you route the control cavity on the back?

[@stevefpv4669]

nice copy router. good job.

[@RayVision3D]

Why did you route the pickup cavities after carving the top? Is it habit or is there technique reason.

[@bigdguitars]

RayVision3D tear out happens if the cavities are there.

[@RayVision3D]

Good to know. Nice rig for tracing the contours.

[@EpicGamer69]

THIS IS MAHOGANY

[@kephers]

I have a mahogany body and neck already cut. But I don't have the top cut. Would like to know if you can glue them together and cut the top and route? I don't have the tools nor the mastery you have. Let me know if you can and how I can contact you...

[@jackjackattack9137]

Excellent work !!!!!!! Do you sell finished guitars ?

[@renobailey8516]

I just had PTSD from the dentist at 2:49

[@clif9379]

I always thought it would be better to add a couple of biscuits to join the two tops together, have you had any problems with just using glue?

[@budm.1450]

At about 16:00 I didn't think that chisel floating around on the surface while you were sanding was a good idea. It could be nicking the bottom of that Les Paul body couldn't it?

[@rhettbh]

you have a cool life

[@josephphillips8146]

That was awesome

[@JamesRogers19981]

When you route the neck pocket do you route it so its angled im starting to make my own les paul and have got to having to route the neck pocket and am now stuck as to how to route it wether it's just a normal straight route or weather it's at an angle of about 4.4 degrees

[@destructivegreenbean]

You did an amazing job there. True artwork there for sure. I subscribed and saved the video. Im saving up on tools right now to try this out. Do you have any recommendations on good reads on wood work. Doesn't have to be guitars. I just want to get some skills down and all before I try something like this.

[@bigdguitars]

I have a whole series on wood that I did. Search Luthier Wood Review

[@MrBingping]

@bigdguitars I believe he was asking about wood working, not wood types. I know that there are multiple woodworking magazines. Not trying to take away viewers from you bigd, but I know that the guy from crimson guitars learns all about guitar making from these magazines. Check him out. He talks about tools just as much as guitars. Beautiful build btw bigd

[@user-iz1ni4zz9b]

Hi, what are the dimensions on the mahogany blank and maple top when they are glued up(before carving)? Thanks

[@SteveStell]

good video. thanks.

[@candicechicoine8915]

I am making the guitar that you made in this video. I am just wondering what are the measurements of the pieces of the wood that you used to make the guitar.

[@300leothelion]

This is why I've subscribed. ;-)

[@blackfender100]

Very cool and informative.great work. Very cool you are in Nashville my Brother lives in Nashville. is the neck break angle built into the neck or in the pocket rout?

[@hauduong1259]

hi there ! how much do you charge for building this body? thanks

[@LukeJF89]

+Hau Duong $1,380,453,876,546.95 not including tax. $3.50 shipping.

[@bigdguitars]

go to 18:37 I angle the template