Les Paul Carve Template Tutorial

This is how I carve my Les Paul bodies.

[@jimmyhendrixxx8902]

Thank you, it's not just a normal tutorial on carving, it's a reflection of all your experience and it blows me away. You're explanations are clear and top notch. Bravo!

[@nickhofen]

Best video ever that explains the procedure of carving an LP, thanks a lot for your time and effort to making that video and post it!

[@kevinking2468]

Great Video - The carve looks great and you don't need a bunch of expensive tools - Thankyou!

[@BBGuitars]

I really like this setup for the router over the typical table mounted router setup. Seems much much safer and can see what you are actually doing

[@paulhewett6876]

I'm building a Les Paul Jnr double cut at the moment. Watching the way you work, and how freely you pass on your knowledge get's me thinking, maybe just maybe I could give this a go myself. Thank you sir.

[@zachariaazra5409]

dude its not even a tutorial, this is a masterclass

[@coreyfleig2139]

I love this video. I toured the Gibson factory in Nashville, back in 1978. Machining has come a long long way, and is truly a blessing. But, doing it by hand adds a dimension unparalleled. Having human hands do the work is magical. Thank you for this video! God sure has gifted man to do beautiful things!

[@pejon2269]

Brilliant! I made my first Les Paul guitar in 1983 and haven't made one since then - but I'm thinking about it now ...

[@willdenham]

It's so amazing, the artistry and craftsmanship that went into the Les Paul design.

[@richardmarzec7349]

Fantastic tutorial. Very detailed and answered a lot of my questions. The only part you glossed over was the routing the neck angle tennon slot which I think is an important step to get correct .

[@DonutsDoneRight]

This is a really great video! Thank you. I'd love to see you do a series and build a whole guitar

[@nathanarcher6764]

God Bless You Sir! Your teaching is worth it's weight in Gold.

[@ArmareFighters]

I did 4 Les Paul and can fully confirm, taht your way to do it, is a very professional one, that will lead to a perfect result. Chapeau to your way of demonstration!

[@0MyWay01]

That was so thorough and well demonstrated that I had to clean up wood chips and dust off my tv.

[@michaelhousman9604]

Thank you so much for posting this video! When the last one was taken down, I was incredibly bummed as I was starting my own L.P. build. In my opinion, this is the must see video on how to use the templates and carve the top with neck and pickup plane angles.

[@monkeyfever]

The length of the beard determines the level of expertise

[@jeffhall5888]

That's some detailed work! Beautiful carve!!

[@matt5622]

Great tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to film and post this. I’m getting ready to start my first LP build and this was very helpful.

[@mrpbody44]

Excellent video and great workmanship. I have been building for 30 years and can always learn something.

[@flapjack413]

Hey there. I came across this video a few days ago while I was trying to find some info on the two stage routing used in late 50's LP control cavities. Earlier this morning, I came across one of your builds (very nice work!) on the my Les Paul forum, and noticed you perfectly nailed the control cavity. As I was looking around on there some more, I came across a comment from someone, and from what I could gather, it sounded like you might have digital files that could be used to create the necessary templates. I'm close to wrapping up my second LP build, and as of now, have only drilled the pilot holes for the controls, lol. I'm somewhat shocked by the lack of info available on this step of the build. No template sets for sale, or blueprint type drawing I've come across seem to address it. Really hoping you might be able to help me get this thing wrapped up! I tried to leave you a message over there, but couldn't really say all I had to say with the character limit. I recognized the beard from seeing this a few days ago, and thought I'd try reaching out over here as well. Hope it's not a bother. Anyway, any help you might be able to offer, would be appreciated immensely!

[@willdenham]

I plan on eventually making my own 59' and I was wondering how in the world they did carved tops. My first LP was a 78' and flat. I got a Japanese 59' copy and the carve surprised me. I thought that it was their take on it. Literally had no idea that Gibson carved the original 50's models. Thanks also for talking about the binding prep. I guess the next challenge is templates. Ughhh.

[@davidwarren127]

Excellent work. Thanks for sharing your technique!

[@ScotWithOnet]

That's an awesome idea for a router jig! Could also be used for flattening small slabs.

[@Rikalonius]

Fantastic tutorial. Thank you. My son and are getting set to build a PRS style guitar and this was extremely helpful.

[@randallsmith7885]

This Les Paul carve video is amazing in its technical detail and excellent workmanship. And what a mystery that it sits here all by itself on a church channel surrounded by religious videos. Who is this amazing luthier?

[@GuitarQuackery]

Very nice. I do a similar technique, but I never thought of doing the pencil lines all around the initial routs. Very clever.

[@bopatguitarscoloradousa5887]

I’m intrigued by the overhead router. Did you build it and can you share some pointers?

[@thesmokingsection2056]

So just to answer your question in case you or someone else is wondering. As a carpenter to me it looks like all he did was built a hollow box out of plywood to whatever height the first template is and just attached a long board and cut a hole for the router but to fit through

[@pierrelacoste9251]

A AWESOME TECHNICAL HANDMADE CRAFTED LES PAUL TOP SIDE CARVED TO BUILT 👌✌👏

[@wkmetaal]

Thanks a lot for this video, helped me very much, this is exactly what i did to make a dummy LP top. For my LP build.

[@terryjohinke8065]

Thanks you go through things well and slowly. Helpful to people to me doing my first Les Paul build.

[@dattoboy1]

Beautiful job - This gives me a real appreciation for how to build a les paul the traditional way, but when I see all the energy that goes into it, it makes me just want to do it with a CNC router.

[@arcticflying]

I love your router setup Scott !

[@johannesh5936]

No repost. The shop damn clean. Also some differences in the process. Thanks again for uploading!

[@markaubuchon6265]

Beautiful job. You’re breathing a lot of dust there good buddy.

[@HatchA_Makes...]

What an absolute pleasure to watch!

[@lilystrong9870]

Best technique for the tools that I have. Gonna figure out how to do the same for the inside

[@bobsegar1242]

and HES REFORMED AMEN! this video helped me alot im building a les paul for someone and been deciding if I was gonna go traditional with the carve or use something like yours... I'd potentially like to purchase some from ya if that's possible. its gonna be a lefty les paul

[@johnmirabile3535]

Great job, this is exactly what i want to get in too..

[@TVoltG]

I love the pocket knife usage.. I use my pocket knife on every guitar I build.

[@VezioR]

Congratulation. You made a great job. Every step of top carving is consequence of a high knowledge of what is the best result. Thanks for having shared such a great tutorial.

[@Tinchossh]

Great great tutorial. ❤🎉

[@Martos59]

Excellent tutorial video. Thanks so much!!

[@Studio603OnTheAir]

Just an Awesome build.

[@russtyshackleford1734]

Scott. God bless you fine sir.

[@juanenriquez721]

This was a fantastic tutorial. Thank you for the great job.

[@ThomasStone-w9k]

Very good video. The one thing I'm missing is: how do you accurately increment the router bit height for each step in the initial carving?

[@patricklennox9572]

Shadow dynamics is the best gauge for shaping.

[@patrickstroupe4769]

Thanks for the video! One question, how thick is the top when you start the process?

[@jordanprysmiki5361]

Wow, this explains why my Edwards Limited (Japanese Les Paul copy) has what I call a negative carve. The carve around the belly goes so deep that it is below the thickness of the edge of the guitar near the binding. It could probably hold water. Don't get me wrong, the guitar is completely beautiful, and the carve is an absolute great job, but it's definitely not a proper LP look

[@mihajlovojinovic7322]

awesome job mate i absolutely loved it

[@marvini2320]

Thank you for the Masterclass

[@dalepiwek]

Thanks for the lesson brother🤘

[@mnmstoy5]

my Burny LP custom is all Mohogany guitar. The black paint was so bad i sanded it all off and that was what was under it. left all natural. I dig it and enjoying your Video.

[@brianbvachek3219]

You sir have a very impressive skillset, holy cow talk about craftsmanship… Do you do this just as a hobby, or do you build for friends/family/customers now and then? Fantastic piece of artwork there, absolutely stunning!

[@gabrielstevens41]

Just printed out your templates. Thank you very much!

[@rebeccac7293]

This is fantastic. I'm a woodworker, only furniture up until this point, but I do play the guitar and have always wanted to do a build. Are your templates available anywhere in any form?

[@claudiogustavosantillan1719]

Great work!! Exactly explained 👏👏👏

[@mikemetrusias4324]

Thank you so much. You're a great teacher.

[@ningzhang6683]

enjoyed all procedure, love it thanks

[@stobby256]

I too, want a beard like his. Great Tutorial, thank you

[@jean-philippegaudreault3549]

Wow!!! Would have help me a lot to watch this video before carving mine! I would really like to see how you do the mortise for the neck. My technique was not so nice. The neck is loose in the mortise. I will probably have to shim it when I will glue it and glue the finger board after. I also had no clue about the 1,5 degre angle for the pickup portion of the body. You did a really good job carving this body.

[@carmineredd1198]

gibson are garbage

[@bigmac1k97]

You are the Ron Covell of wood working!

[@jojo5544]

thanks for this great build guide ! really detailed. a question on 0:28 drilling the pilot holes for the pots, are these pot holes not at some angle(s) (perpendicular to the final carved maple surface tangent, instead of perpendicular to the mahogany back)? are these pilot holes drilled straight down? or using some angle jig ? Thanks!

[@doctortono]

Fantastic idea and process!!...Do you have the tamplates plans for share or sell??, I ma very interested!!. Thanks

[@hackaxl]

Fantastic. Thanks for posting.

[@mr.k905]

Wow, stunning work! Would love to see the rest of the building process. Is there any more here on KZbin? Cheers from Berlin/Germany

[@danielphilipp2339]

excellent tutorial, Please MAKE A VIDEO about the installation of a traditional truss rod in a les paul with the curved channel ! thanks

[@Stratamania]

Very good and useful video.

[@kevinking2468]

Excellent Video!

[@riospare3368]

Looks really great. ❤🔥 But you urgently need a good air filter and an extraction system. 😵

[@carlodevivomusicontent2138]

Thank you so much for this video. Your mahogany is very bright, pale. Here in Italy mahogany is deep brown much darker than yours

[@arronsondrini380]

Really nicely done, thanks for sharing :)

[@petedazer3381]

I know this is old, but it’s really good!

[@lexguitars5857]

Really good tutorial. 🤘

[@nolancrusat1127]

I’m going to be building my first Gibson style guitar and this video was very informative! Do you have any plans on how you made the jigs to cut the neck plane and pickup plane?

[@lucabennati360]

Best method to carve top with templates! Thanks. Could you please share the setup of your router from above tool?

[@CyclopsGuitars8642]

Great video! Do you have the link to that long router bit for door hinges? I can’t find it online. Thanx.

[@sammydavis3796]

Can you make a video on how you got your router set up

[@lrblouie]

Great to watch!!!

[@ramamurty3237]

Thanks for the video man very nice job

[@randallsmith7885]

Please post a neck and final assembly video!

[@davidwarren127]

Scott, do you happen to have a link for the router bit you are using here? I am building a similar jig for my top carve operation, but am struggling with the right type of bit to use for the operation.

[@beardedjediguitars]

You have been missed!

[@bobq7910]

Thank you very much. It's very useful for me

[@jonray305]

This video is fantastic

[@renatocecchetto7894]

Great Maestro!!

[@ua7812]

awesome job

[@gingerjam2192]

Great video, thanks !

[@DTM-ch7jy]

So excellent!

[@EdwardT9]

This is great, thank you. But weren’t there more of these videos at one time?

[@smicksmookety]

This is awesome, thank you.

[@dark11demon11]

finally just what I needed

[@СварожийВнук]

The work is just fire! Excellent! 0:48 Are these patterns made of wood for sale or did you make them yourself? Thanks to.

[@csandoval82]

Awsome video. Great job. I need a set of those carving templates. Also what les Paul routing templates do you use. And do they all come as a set. Keep up the good work.

[@marcincebel]

Hello, I am doing everything according to your video and everything is fine, but when I put the fingerboard on the four and a half degree angle, it turns out that the bridge is too high. What should I do to lower the bridge?

[@eemacedo]

Excellent tutorial, congratulations and thanks, I am one more subscriber. One question, does the binding in the region next to the neck, follow at the same level horizontally or go up in this region to follow the top and keep 1/4 inch? I always have doubts on this point. Did the router cut horizontally or did it travel on top?

[@Ziegler_Digital_Media]

Fantastic information, for the pickup plane angle, how do you know how deep to cut?

[@maxcowell4260]

Hi this video is gold but could you expand on the cradle for the router? Is it just a platform at 90° from a base that is the same height of the body plus the thickness of the mdf? Probably going to have to knock one up so just wondering if there's anything I should be aware of. Thanks!

[@saberman1]

Master

[@Yes-kn6zm]

proof that santa really does make toys

[@stormman8393]

Great video