Building And Dyeing My "Les Paul" Custom DIY Guitar - It Turned Out Great!

In this video I build a "Les Paul" Custom guitar from a kit I ordered from China. This kit turned out to be a great DIY kit. All the parts fit perfectly and everything was machined and made really well. For $198 I am completely satisfied with the end result.
I was given a set of TNTones pickups from TNTones, so I unstalled them rather than the Chinese pickups that come with the kit. Interestingly enough, the pickups that came with the kit said ESP Designed on them! This was a new experience for me since I never saw those pickups before in a DIY kit from China before. I may use them in a future kit I build.
After I show you the build process I end the video with a sound demo and demonstrate the tones of the pickups and the overall playability of the guitar. The guitar took 2 days to build and I couldn't be happier. I hope you enjoy the video. Please subscribe!
Part 1 of the video:
• I Ordered A DIY "Les P...
eBay Link for the DIY Kit:
www.youtube.co...
Marty5150 Merchandise
ranch5150skinw...
Instagram
...

[@randyherbrechtsmeier4796]

Next time use Aqua coat water Base grain filler. Drys clear. Sand it then Lacquer. Ima painter who try's to play guitar. You play better. I paint better

[@anglianreed5218]

This turned out to be a really nice looking guitar. In the end, the black line down the centre complements the black knobs and scratch plate nicely. I enjoyed seeing this come together, and you're really pleased with it, which is all that matters.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thank you! The real deciding factor for me was the tone (and how nicely it played). I love the sound of it. It breathes so well!

[@guitarsofold100]

stew mac have pre colored lacquer spay cans and touch up markers, spaying tinted lacquer over the veneer can overcome that glue seem for your next build ....staining is not advisable .. use a black light to detect glue before, maybe try acetone to lift glue next time .... great work though!

[@eddiejr540]

The Pepto Paul….looks and sounds fantastic…great job Marty👍

[@patrickkem689]

You are certainly on the right track. When working with a grainy type of wood such as Mahogany It’s a real good idea to do a quick pre sand on the back of the body to get the grain open. And using a grain filler is the way to go with that. If you should get the fever to build another may I recommend to you can’t believe it’s not lacquer. It’s a grain filler But since it’s not water based you won’t have the problems of any shrinkage. And it usually dries relatively quickly. A level sanding and just watch what a big difference that it will make on the overall look of the finish. Thank you so much for sharing this video it was a joy to Watch. Best of regards!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks so much for the info man! I really appreciate the tips! 😎🥂

[@inyourbusiness73]

I really like the marker down the middle.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks! I was concerned I would get roasted for it. I think it comes together with all the black on the guitar. It all matches! 🎵😎

[@ronpatterson5483]

With prices of quality guitars really reasonable these days. Is building a kit project down to just all personal choices in colors,finishes,etc & pride of building yourself. of course you can upgrade everything, always wanted to try but does a good kit make it for reasonably easy. Learned a lot from watching your channel. Thanks.

[@philipbeasley72]

That sounds good

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks so much!

[@geoffreylowery9730]

Dang Marty ! I'm really impressed with this one. Looks great!. Those pickups are killer.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Geoffrey! 😎🎵

[@ronpatterson5483]

Those pups really sound great!!! Great base color, everything is highlighted from there,like all versatility & honesty in everything you do on your channel!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Ron! It was very fun to make. I was really happy with the outcome. I appreciate you watching man!

[@benharshbarger9298]

What diy kit is this from?

[@leonardfox2694]

To me, the best part of this DYI is the way it sounds. Listened through my Galaxy S24 ultra. It still sounds awesome. Your exilent playing was equally as awesome. I think your future builds will keep getting better as well!

[@christiancudney9825]

Sounds very Y&T esq..... LOVE IT!!

[@OxaudioPhilly]

Sounds awesome man! Loved the crossroads duel bit too!

[@jamessator5564]

Very cool Sir………. I have been thinking about for a few years to do a LP kit………but I already have 4 LP’s ! Someday I will!

[@Oranguice]

That sounds great. I'm gonna look into those pickups. never heard of TNTone.

[@fatroberto3012]

The Les Paul Barbie Custom looks and sounds awesome. The black line really works with the black and gold hardware.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thank you man! I'm really fond of this build myself. I still play it. 😎🤟🏻

[@motorcyclemark2889]

I had a 1989 pink HM strat I bought new in 1989 I loved it I put black Eddy stripes on it with black tape for awhile that was a sweet guitar

[@Raul1971xxx]

One suggestion.. You could put your name in the headstock..

[@blkjckgtr3075]

Awesome job on finishing and great playing ,sounds like a LP,Cheers!

[@glennevans5824]

Maybe you mentioned it ,I’m not sure is that a maple cap or veneer?…..In any case your patience was a virtue in this endeavor…Looks great….🤙🏻🎸..Ps the gold hardware is a nice appointment..too…..through a great tube amp those pups sound ok..I personally might have upgraded the pickups to a good alnico set…great job…overall..😊

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

It's a veneer 👍. The pickups are actually custom wound TNTones pickups (hand made). They are wicked through my Friedman! 😎🎵

[@glennevans5824]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker thanks Marty …you have a fine arsenal of amps …

[@benburnett8109]

Interesting. The back came out looking very "worn in" Seems like a great kit. Glad you liked the pickups. I"d had him do a set with covers if I knew. Seems like it all came together. And the line thru the center of the body looks amazing. Very smart way to cover a shortcoming of these veneer top kits. Rock on, Ben

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for the hookup on the pickups Ben. I am so happy and grateful for that. I really appreciate ya man!

[@benburnett8109]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Demo sounded good. Guitar looks like it came together nicely. Interesting color to say the least....lol I didn't know you would put covers on them. I would''ve had him do the gold covers for you if I knew. Wonder if it affects the tone? I think that guitar thru a cranked Marshall would sound amazing. Might be worth trying in the name of science. Cranked. Marshall. Custom built Les Paul. Science.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

@@benburnett8109 I jammed on it for about an hour or so on the Friedman last night. It's incredible. I don't think the covers effect the tone honestly. Also, I really didn't know I was gonna go with a custom build with gold hardware. It all just sorta happened and I went with the flow! I showed some guys this build at a local music store today and they flipped out. The color is popular! 😎🎵

[@benburnett8109]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker The color is BOLD. When you go bold you can't go wrong. You should see some of my guitars. Chicks at the paint counter have picked the colors of my last 6 guitars. Cute ladies. I often think of them when I pick each guitar up.

[@user-cx6qk7bs2c]

That finish looks cool

[@looney3574]

Dude that was such a fun video to watch!!!! I’ve been playing guitar for years and now I’m starting to build a guitar for the first time!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

I love that! Have fun man! 😎

[@wjewell63]

The black and gold really set it off..... sounds great..👍

[@southernboycookin5383]

My bass player and I refinished one of my Les Pauls back in the day. He used a spray gun of some sort while I'm shuddering the corner wondering WTF is going to happen to my guitar LOL. The lacquer when on really thick and we had so do the fine 'sanding' many times. Man it turned out great. Awesome job and yeah, the sound is awesome. Thanks man.

[@user-gs2nq3rs8l]

It looks cool. You should make your water slide and put your channel name on the Head Stock

[@pedraw]

Looks like a cotton candy cloud...Sounds phenominal, I dig it !

[@reneotten7376]

Awesome pups.

[@jamesjohanson5675]

it does sound great

[@donaldyoung9838]

Man Love The Sound Of Those Pick Ups Awesome Build An Playing As Always thanks

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Than you Donald!

[@wizaxed]

Les Pink Deluxe. Nice build, Marty!

[@2DclanSnipingTeam]

Thanks a lot Marty. Now I gotta do another build. LOL. Great job!

[@mikedtubey]

That came together really nice!!! Sounds awesome!!!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks Mike! I am really happy with it. It was a pretty seamless build! 😎🤟🏻

[@timothyhardy899]

Looks great and sounds even better.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man! I was really happy with this one. 😁

[@mwilson70201]

Cut the alcohol based dye with denatured alcohol. It won't clump up like it does in water and won't raise the grain near as much as watet does.

[@suanzalal]

matching headstock looks so good

[@CursingBear]

Thanks for this! I'm about to buy one of these and needed some help on what to expect etc etc

[@jimmyz2098]

Another killer project, Marty. The guitar came out waay cool, and man it sounds excellent. Those pickups are difference makers. Another Rock n' Roll machine you've got there. Great addition to the collection, and always cool to have a few laying around, that you built yourself! Cool stuff - just like always on your channel.

[@kibscott6096]

The guitar came out great, the color really pops, good color combo, and those pickups sound really good, nice build man enjoy. Thanks for sharing Marty 🤘

[@discodynamite]

Awsome coulour-combination ! The perfect Glam-Metal Guitar ! - and it sounds great. Well done !

[@patricetremblay2456]

Nice finish, really cool. Sounds great too but you can make a cardboard box with rubber bands as strings sound amazing. Great great playing Marty. Thanks for this video share. Have a nice day.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

You made me Lol. Thanks man! 😎☮️

[@TaxPayingContributor]

That was fun. Sharp color combination. Great advice on predrilled bridge holes.

[@rvk5150]

Very cool Marty!

[@gaytanmtz]

looks and sounds great! I like the TNTones pickups.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks! I really love em. They are awesome pickups. Totally blown away.

[@destinyreturns4885]

Looks fantastic. You did a great job and it sounds amazing too... Congratulations.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thank you!! I'm so happy with it!

[@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews]

Looks nice sounds Great,,,,

[@johnmcnairy]

Success!!!!! Bad ass guitar man!!!! Like better than the factory version. Fun watching you make it too. Congratulations 🎊🎈🍾 😊

[@Jackie_Rosewood]

Awesome job Marty! Looks amazing. You keep getting better and better with every guitar build. Glad that you finally found the missing parts. I really dig the color. You have a Marty Lab custom aged build. 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@MrPrincepop]

Congrats on the build, great job. Damn, it sounds wicked!

[@roger1475]

Nice job. It sounds really good with the TNTones. The pink and gold looks pretty cool. I could see Elvis playing this guitar back in the day.

[@ajmpatriot4899]

Thanks! Keep’er goin’ man!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thank you so much 🎵🎵🎵☮️

[@dotkennedy7443]

Looks great! I did one in emerald green with walnut back. I gave it away.

[@papablue3015]

Nice! But...? Where's the guitar neck support rock? Lol 😂 pink and black work nicely! Thanks Marty

[@HOUSEOFHIXON]

Great job brother 🤘💪⚡️

[@frankfrascati7820]

Sounds good and the black stripe works

[@Jaloja]

If you have been watching the news on what is going on with China I wonder how long we will have access to some of the "cheap" (ish) gear. In 2019 I could buy a nice completed Chibson for what the bare kit cost now. Sanctions or tariffs could happen. On the other side the Chinese ports have thousands of empty shipping containers not in use. The backlog is now over. They need the trade even if there is governmental stress causing trade problems. Yesterday I ordered a Bass Preamp kit from Amazon for a whopping $27.00. Probably was $15.00 2 years ago.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Yeh I hear ya man. Everything is going up. Hard to say. Supply and demand dictates most of it.

[@methefather]

Awesome video! Great playing and great guitar!

[@spiderman0863]

Looks killer!!! Cheers

[@finaljesus]

i love every aspect of both videos it turned out great and it sounds amazing you did a great job Marty love your guitar lesson videos too

[@petecollins5401]

Awesome! I bought the exact same kit. starting it soon

[@morpheus3190]

Looks great. I like that color. Didn’t think I would! Don’t think I would have put the black line down the middle however. Good job!

[@georgemobley4841]

Great job man and sounds amazing. Very nice looking guitar. Thanks for the entertaining video. Very cool sir.

[@mikestroud9969]

Looks great buddy love it man 😎👍✌️✌️🎸🎸. Sounded awesome 👍😎

[@AlienPizzaZombie]

Looks and sounds killer! Well done Marty 🤘⚡️

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

This one came out awesome man. Nothing wrong with a pink guitar, I gotta get myself one!

[@beanapalooza6614]

LoLz your channeling Bob Ross " its a happy Accident " !!!😅 love it Dude it looks awesome. All you need now is a water slide "Martyson" Headstock decal with a 5150 in the center of the headstock!!!!

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Lol!! I need a fro! Haha. I actually ordered a Gibson water slide. Coming from Canada. So maybe in another week it will show up in my mailbox. 😁

[@beanapalooza6614]

@@Ranch5150SkinWalker awesome!!! Ill be watching for that!! And go on and Tease up that fro bro!!!

[@motorcyclemark2889]

Wow its awesome now ill jump and get a kit thanks

[@JeffreyWalker-fs8no]

Paris pink

[@ColonelSlippyfist]

Looks and sounds absolutely SICK! 😎🤘

[@NeurodivergentBassist]

Pro tip, use linseed oil in the future as a prestain sealer after your graphite treatment. This will allow the die/stain to evenly distribute without blotches, and it will improve the wood grain figure dancing.

[@motorcyclemark2889]

Awesome Ive been waiting

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks for watching man! 😎🤟🏻

[@Jaloja]

You need to see Orianthi's new PRS signature guitar. Purple quilt fade. Might have you buying another kit..

[@nieko3038]

Hi Marty, youtube recommended the unboxing video of this. Was looking at the same kit last night. Was thinking. Maybe that glue line can be scraped with a blade. For a next time. Got to be carefull with those veneers. Brave choice of color. Cool it is different than what is around. Cheers from overseas

[@gabrielstern4992]

Nice job Marty and don't forget Eddie loved les Paul's too I hope you are enjoying your chibson. As for the glue issue I would have sanded it first then did sanding sealer like deft in a quart can which you can brush on then applied the dye stain then laquared the guitar with clear another thing you may want to consider is to maybe change the fretboard at some point to an ebony fretboard or the heartwood variaty and not the madagasken ebony fretboard and finally here is a suprize pickup wize to actually get that eddie brown sound and that's the emg active Zac wylde pickup set which come solderless now and is set up for les Pauls only as the emg 81 bridge pickup position ceramic pickup gives Eddie's stein berger tone but also the tone of his Kramer 5150 guitar when you throw a little reverb on. I know I tested it but I have the old Zac wylde emg 81 85 set but with the, short pots and used it years ago on my old yamaha rgx series 110 before I destroyed the neck and that guitar I had routed out to add a neck humbucker and got an even more Eddie like tone VS stock and that's because that body was a basswood body just like Eddie's Frankie was and Kramer guitars but mine had a mahogany neck with a bubinga fretboard. And what's weird was is that the scale length was a les Paul scale length but had 24 frets on it a, skinny c neck profile. And just like Eddie with the Frankie before the floyd it would never stay in tune until I replaced the stock strat style saddles with all parts graphite saddles and a graphite nut then it would stay in tune even when I dived. Something I forgot about until I recently acquired one just like the one I had years ago just so I can profile it and copy and make another one just like the one I had since I was a kid. Anyway I hope you consider for your next chibson or this one the Zac wylde emg set as an option and don't forget Eddie's steinberger had emg 81s in it at least I the bridge but I think in the neck too but he never used the neck pickup.

[@rikdogdoherty83]

SWEET!!!!!

[@JoeR203]

Dare to be different! You should have just mixed 4 or 5 colors and see what you get. 🙂 I'll have a video out later this week showing one of my projects. It's a very colorful guitar.

[@JoeR203]

Okay, video of project Ibanez RG170R is up. 🙂

[@youknoweverything7643]

I love building my own diy guitars especially les pauls and my favorite clear laquer is good old minwax ot doesnt turn yellow on me ots very shiny with no chances of orange peel or a roufh look you get from spray cansnsnd ot lasts longer. Any imperfections in the minwax will buff out on the wheel in a few seconds but make sur le ypu let it dry and outgad for atleast 4 days.

[@jcrgtattoo333]

Pretty slick build there man!, getting some gnarley tones there!, and hey it’s not too late to try some automotive pinstripe over the black line, maybe gold, or pink .. I think I’d shop around for gold, and maybe even make the headstock match. Cool build man!

[@user-xn1mp1wq3r]

Wow man you did a great job awesome i enjoyed watching love my les Paul's

[@benharshbarger9298]

Sounds amazing!!!!

[@PatrickGeneLeBlancHardy]

I enjoy your KZbin Channel! 🇺🇸 💪 Thanks for sharing 🎸 🎶

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man!! 🎵🎵🎵🥂😎

[@IndependenceGuitar]

Turned out sick. Sounds great.

[@jimmcdougall9973]

That pink with the gold hardware looks classy. I have a pink Kramer Baretta. As you say, the back looks played/worn in. Also as if some beer was spilt on it. Sounds really good too. Many of the Chinese pickups are manufactured in Korea. So anything is possible regarding the brand. My be worthwhile trying them out in a guitar sometime.

[@cedricross2991]

C.C. would look great with that guitar 🎸 ❤😂!!!!

[@nbenning25]

Nice build! Great color!

[@williamdon3442]

I love that colour. The easy route would be gold hardware. A roasted maple neck with gold hardware

[@randallbernard2074]

You need to scrape that binding and the part line before you stain

[@moonboogien8908]

Hey Marty, just found your channel and have been enjoying the content. On kits I've built with seam glue not taking stains, I found using a razor blade or scraper to lightly remove the squeeze-out on the seams and binding. I know the hazards of a thin veneer, but I've used this trick a lot and haven't gone through yet... yet... lol. Anyways, liking the video so far. Thanks for the content!

[@jimgibson7275]

That's awesome man

[@matrix26uk]

Chris Rea has a gorgeous pink strat

[@markdalton6662]

Dude what's up with those pickup covers , you should have the screws showing from the bobbins , you can unscrew them so they are level with top of the cover

[@sixstringer3783]

The only thing I would have done is get a pink sharpe they make em otherwise cool man 🤘

[@drewsmith5099]

That color is bad ass….great build, I think I might try my 1st build. What’s the weight?

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Thanks man! You know. I haven't weighed it... but it's kinda light. I would estimate 8 pounds.

[@jameswilson3554]

Looks fantastic sounds pretty damn awesome..2thumbs up

[@bluephoenix3865]

I think when mine comes in I think I’m gonna do cream or blood red or Ebony black like a Les Paul custom I’m thinking about going with the ivory cream. I’m such a sucker for it.

[@Ranch5150SkinWalker]

Decisions on color is so hard! Have fun man! What about a Smokey grey so the quilt shows.

[@StealthParrot]

I love how it turned out Marty, and sounds great with those pickups! It looks like a fun project so I've ordered one .. the only thing that concerns me is the neck setup without a truss rod. But for the price .. it is what it is! Enjoyed watching. EDIT ... Got mine today, it does have a truss rod. Now what color .. I'm thinking RED!

[@comptonmccairo8591]

Came out great 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@AndyK.23]

You must have WAY more patience than I do! Great job! I can't believe it sound so good, even frets and everything? Pink and gold - I call it the Huggy Bear! PS - The bridge is on backwards.

[@benburnett8109]

I often install the bridge that way. It does not affect tone but makes the intonation easier to adjust.

[@MartRockCafe]

Really nice guitar mate!, well done, I dig the colour and ir sounds great, I'd like to build a sea foam green les paul as don't see many of those about 👍🤘

[@StrudlePie]

No hate to Marty boy, coz he's out here doin it and having fun... but... Do not follow this video, unless you want these sub par results. Learn from his mistakes by watching more videos and finding the BEST methods. Happy Learning & Doing Guys!

[@AudioAtmos]

Dig the color, and pups sound great. Nice work and being creative with some of the little imperfections.👍 Have you ever messed with pore filler on Mahogany? I’ve never done a guitar or kit, but would love too sometime. I’m somewhat handy with wood and finishing or painting and know how to setup guitars. Once again Great Job!