Les Paul Junior Scratch Build coming soon

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Just wanted to get something up to say thanks to you all. I'm going to be in the workshop a lot over the next few weeks getting into this exciting build. Exciting because I tend to buiold on the hoof without a great deal of complex planning. Silly but it actually more exciting that way. Cx

[@EbonyPope]

You're doing excellent work. I really like the British accent too. I'm from Germany by the way. Any chance you can show us to make a Gibson SG but with symmetrical horns? Because every time I look at the original I get furious. I hate asymmetry.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

@@EbonyPope Thanks for the nice words. I’m into the new build right now but hey SG? Why not?!

[@EbonyPope]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking Yeah I've seen it. You have a very soothing voice man. Like a radio host or someone who makes dubbing for foreign movies. Seriously. Yes I saw your knew built excellent choice. And yes if you make an SG please make it symmetrical. I have yet to see someone build it like that. I think that would give your channel quite a push if you choose the title and tags carefully. Concerning the horns I'd say they should be a tad bigger than the smaller horn but by far not as big as the bigger one. It somehow didn't fit the short lower body that looks a little oval in an SG. You'll figure it out. I'm really waiting every week for a new video from you to come out. Have fun!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Cheers Man. It's so uplifting when someone enjoys your work. Building a guitar is hard enough without filming it and then spending days cutting it together. I like to try and get something out each week. Thanks for chatting with me

[@jampay44]

looking forward to this build!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Me too. Nice to get back to dealing with blocks of wood

[@grahamaldridge]

And we’re off. Nice start. :-)

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Gra. Nice to see you again. C

[@jah8859]

We have lift off

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

We do indeed. Two bits of wood have been glued. No turning back now

[@HarpinJScott]

Yes!!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Yes indeed. Here we go.

[@pedromarquesmusic]

I was never a fan of the Les Paul Junior, but I think I may like yours for a change. The way you explain things makes all the difference. Cheers!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Pedro, it’s always good to know what people like about what I do. I only own a couple of Gibson guitars and one of them is a Gibson Les Paul junior. They are different type of instrument and I think you’re going to enjoy it. Less fussy than most Gibson style guitars.

[@duster413]

I can tell this is going to be a good one!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Bill. I hope you are right. I’m never quite sure until the neck scarf joint is done and the truss Rod channel is cut.

[@musicmanLes001]

Congrats on 1000 subs. Love your builds and explanations of what you are doing. Keep up the good work.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Les. It’s going to be a good one I hope

[@Kevin-the-Just]

Oh Chris, you big tease! 😀 Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

That why it’s called a teaser Kev. C

[@grahamtutton1987]

Congratulations on the 1K subs Chris 😀. Great content. Off to a flying start, looking forward to the Junior build.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Graham, I’m going to get into it tomorrow. Probably band saw the body outline and hopefully start the neck. Who knows, Sunday should be a day of rest.

[@Aja-nt]

Good luck on the build journey Chris. This is very enjoyable and inspiring content.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks for your encouragement Tony. I’m going to get into tomorrow If the workshop isn’t too hot that is

[@elducko1951]

Congratulations on achieving 1000 subs!! I enjoy watching your videos and can't wait for the next episode. I'm the guy who was bequeathed a Tony Franklin Fretless and a bunch of parts from a friend who had recently passed on. Instead of building a new guitar (Bass, actually), I decided to take a sunburst Fender Performer Jazz Bass and make it a throwback bass to resemble a '62 Jazz Bass Reissue that I used while touring in the '90s and sadly had to sell when I fell on hard times in the early 2000s. I installed a set of "stack-knob" pots, a period correct bridge, a ground strap that went from the bridge pickup to beneath the bridge and reverse-tuning machines. I believe I did rather well for a novice woodworker/quasi-luthier. I hope you have a great day and the rest of your Summer isn't as horribly hot as I've seen in news reports! Take care!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

That’s a great story and great project Tom. I think tomorrow I will get on with something and do some filming. Cheers C.

[@elducko1951]

Thanks!!

[@CMRWoodworks]

Good stuff. Really looking forward to watching the rest of this series!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Me too!!

[@FODTony]

Congrats man! Just binged the tele build. Superb level of detail in your explanations! I imagine your videos would be a great resource for anyone looking to get into this sort of thing.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks mate. Very nice of you to say so. More to come. C

[@d.g.8506]

Great video. Let's wait for the next one.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Hopefully not too long DG. I just cut out the body. Scary process but I didn’t loose any fingers. Cx

[@mariobernier4606]

Congrats to 1000 - and much more ! Looking forward to the next build. Wonder what you will say about the neck/headstock angle ? That explain why you have so much knowledge ! (the formal luthier education) Take care !

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Whoah there. I was very fortunate to be able to go and study luthiery full time but it’s not a super power. I’m actually still wrestling with the bafflingly Gibson neck joint. I’m tempted to just build a fender style pocket with a 2.5 angle built in. But it’s not that simple. This could end up being a video on its own.

[@thelonious-dx9vi]

All these years I never had a Junior. It's not right. Cheers, new sub.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Thelonious. Welcome. I’m starting the Junior build this week. Subscribers get a notification when I upload. I hope you enjoy it. C

[@thelonious-dx9vi]

Thanks man. Perhaps I'll ring you up for my Junior one of these days. Thing is, I play mainly straightahead jazz music, definitely need a PAF or the like in front ... which is obviously the wrong pickup in the wrong location. But we could say to hell with it and make a proper single-pickup Junior build, just with the hole in the wrong place ...

[@linleechiun]

Please do a Gibson L6s style build in the future. It's More Paul to me.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

It’s niche guitar. I’ve never held or played one. Why do you like it? I’m genuinely curious. C

[@linleechiun]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking I kind of seeing it as an advenced Tele , with the ES or Les Paul vibe, and the light weight like SG. Never had the chance to try one, that's why I love to hear your thoughts.

[@stewartharper9125]

Hi Chris, Hope you're well. Sorry to ask what is probably a silly question, but is there a reason or advange to glueing together two or three pieces of wood to make the body, as opposed to using a single piece of wood?

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Stewart it’s absolutely not a silly question. Single piece bodies are generally much more expensive. Getting a piece of quality wood at full body dimension is rare and therefore costly. I use two piece bodies because I enjoy the craft in jointing them and the symmetry that is inherent is pleasing to me over and above a single piece. Three piece bodies are much cheaper and a great option if you know you are going to spray the body and obscure much of the wood grain. Cx

[@stewartharper9125]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking Thanks. I figured it was probably a cost thing. Looking forward to the rest of the series. I have zero woodwork skills and have no plans to ever build my own guitar, but I enjoy enjoy watching you do it. My late dad loved woodwork, and would have loved to have watched your videos.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

@@stewartharper9125 thanks Stewart. We should get together soon and chew some (vegan) fat. I miss the old days when I meant something. Cx

[@stewartharper9125]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking I'm sure I'm far from the only ex Nats employee keeping close tabs on your channel. I'm rarely in London these days, but I was at my first post COVID wrap party on Monday, at the Nellie Dean of all places, hosted by Paul Sommers.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Oh my goodness. I was very fond of him back in the day. Nice bloke.