Les Paul Junior Style Guitar Scratch build Part 7

Les Paul Junior Style Guitar Scratch build. Body construction, Neck construction, guitar routing, guitar design, guitar templates. Build at home and make your dream Les Paul Junior guitar.
This episode confronts the horrors of finishing and relicing.
Subscribe to my channel to get updates and interact. All that and Philosopy corner. Lots of routing and a few tears for good measure

[@robertsoulier4736]

On my relic jobs, I actually tape some 400-600 grit sandpaper (whatever I have on hand that's not too course) and play air guitar with the sandpaper taped to my forearm where it normally hits the guitar. After about 30 minutes or so playing in all the positions and angles I tend to play in, I have my arm relic'ing area. Do the same thing to mimic a guitar stand and also a wall hanger...... you get the picture. And of course knocking off the finish on the surface to just a matt aged look (a lot of work within itself). Then coloring it appropiately, etc... etc... My method has fooled even the most trained expert eyeballs out there. Guess I shouldn't tell all my secrets, but I love to see people succeed in their quest. Great build right here though. Personally, I would have kept it looking like a brand new guitar instead of any relic. Absolutely one beautiful piece you've made never-the-less!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Robert. We all develop different approaches to our accelerated aging processes. Mine are pretty basic. It’s about experience and our preferences. Glad you enjoyed the build. C

[@melvage7768]

Welcome back Chris… Keep that standard of relicing up and your gonna get an offer from Murphy Labs..😊

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

They are far better at it than me I’m certain. Kind words I thank you. Part 8 nearing completion. I’m hoping to get it posted in the next few days. C

[@scottwilliams1902]

Oh no! only one more episode 😢Great series 👍

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks so much Scott. As one door closes another one open. What will the next build be?

[@jackdoe8483]

Been waiting for this. Great video. Looking forward to hearing how it sounds

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

You and me both. I’m going to get it done this week. C

[@davidriel7805]

Thanks Chris! Can’t for the finish. Looks awesome. Yes warming up here in Canada as well. Slowly of course

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

I hope I can get this done in the next week. Sunday started badly with a panic trip to the vets. Our cat nearly pegged it but after a huge amount of money he may make it. In my next life I’m going to be a vet or extortionist as I prefer to call them.

[@davidriel7805]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking haha nice !

[@AudioInstruments]

Great job. I've really enjoyed this series of videos, and big up to the soundtrack!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for your support. The music is dub reggae from the KZbin creators library. I get tired of plinky acoustic stuff or full on metal that seem to be the norm on guitar build videos. Few people dislike reggae and it’s restful without being bland. C

[@ghosthawk65]

Always insightful.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks very much. I like to think a bit. Guitar making is a noble pursuit.

[@Aeidotronics]

Welcome back! Not a relic fan, but good work anyhow. Funny, I assumed "Old English" cleaner brand was just a name trying to make it sound classy to the US market.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks for the info. I was not a fan myself but some projects just cry out to look a little used. A bright shiny new Les Paul junior wasn’t what I had in mind. The old English was the closest I could find to my Topps scratch remover. I assumed it was a modern replacement

[@pedromarquesmusic]

Your content never disappoints. Cheers!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

You comments always lift me up. Thanks Pedro. One more of these before the next adventure. C

[@benjamindupuis6740]

Excellent channel! You enjoy it and we can feel it, looking forward to the next episode. Cheers from France

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

I really do enjoy it. I’ve been making guitars since I was a teenager. I just took a 40 year break to have a family and a career that’s all. Glad you are enjoying my channel Benjamin. C

[@geoffhay2218]

I'm not really into the orange but I love the aging and the concept. If I could do this (which I cannot) I'd love to stain the beautiful mahogany. Love your work. Greatly appreciate the philosophy, the insights and the ground up kittens.....

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

I did consider a straight mahogany stain. The problem is that I have a ton of such guitars and I’m trying to use solid colours to add some sparkle to the collection. The kittens was an ad Lib that made me giggle. Thanks for your comment Geoff.

[@sisdl15]

Thanks Chris, enjoyable as always! Love the orange! You've inspired me to make my first build (a black double-bound Tele) and I'll revert back to your Telecaster series.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks William. I got the strings on it yesterday and it’s going to be wonderful. I hope to have the last episode out next weekend

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

You came back at JUST the right time. I am working on a flying V build right now and I misplaced one of the holes for a stop-bar post and needed some motivation and inspiration. Thanks a ton!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Plug that hole and re drill it. It happens. Solid colours cover all sins

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking Thanks Chris! Unfortunately I am doing a 67-esque Cherry Red Stain, but frankly I would rather have the stop bar straight than the wood grain perfect. Your pivot to relic-ing has given me just the gumption I need. Thanks again, man! 💪I was unsure about the orange when the spray first went on but it grew on me almost immediately. Looks absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to hear it!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

​@@Sean_Plays_Guitar Itt looks even better now with a pickguard. It also mutes a bit as it ages.

[@Sean_Plays_Guitar]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking I bet. I really fell in love with the look by the end of the video. You do fine work.

[@danilinca79]

You sir are my new favorite yt luthier, and the philosophy corner its so entertaining, thank you for all your great content..

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks so much Daniel. I like to try and open things out a bit. We are not perfect. Wood is unreliable and we are human. I wanted to include in each show a section where I just talk about human stuff. Sometimes I’m up and enthused sometimes I’m not convinced it’s all going well. We do stuff like guitar making because we are driven or inspired or simply curious. Someone said.. the path of true love never runs smoothly. But hey, at least you end up with another guitar. So… never that bad is it?

[@elducko1951]

Great video! Good to see you finally back! The guitar is beautiful I don't care for the color, but then It's not my call, so I'll remain objective... This year, I aim to build myself a throwback Jazz Bass from a kit and test my abilities as a noobie builder. Have a great Spring!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Orange was not my favourite colour but somehow it’s really suiting this build. Wait until I add the pickguard. You might be surprised. C

[@NonalignedVideos]

welcome back!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks very much.

[@RickJefferson]

“I’m not gonna go too far with this, I keep telling myself…” :::fetch the pliers:::

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

I know. I kept saying stop and kept going. Pushing the brink is my thing I guess. There’s a strange thing with soft nitrocellulose. It’s heals itself a bit. The fine dents and scratches can get smaller if the paint is not completely set. So I give it a wee bit extra.

[@kellyswoodyard]

You say after 50 years, most guitars have a degree of damage. True. But i have a Japanese built, Yamano, Vintage Strat, built in '94. Its 30 years old, without a single blemish. And it gets played, lots.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Yes totally agree. Used but not abused is my motto. My relic target is ‘lived in’ not damaged. I do prefer the look rather than pristine on vintage style instruments.

[@juliomorel5516]

Finally! Happy to see you! The guitar is looking great!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Julio. I’m doing it just for you. But you know that. C

[@mariobernier4606]

Yes---- Watching now !!!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Me tooo!!

[@lewe1882]

A superb episode and as always so professional, educational, witty and engaging. You present with a broadcast quality. Anyone here on KZbin will no doubt have numerous subscriptions but Chris, your community channel is the one that I await for updates such is the high level you set and achieve. I am wondering how on Earth you seemed to casually drill that first hole from pick up to control with just a guide line ! Love the “ Capri Orange “ and the “ Reynolds Relic d’Art “ finish. I’m not so sure you’ve covered this in previous episodes but an overview of your rattle cans of choice would be great to know. All the best and see you on Episode 8 . Oh yeah and I did manage a beer for you as well as myself! Good luck with the French connection !

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Wow, praise indeed Lew. Thank you. Casually drilling? I have done this kind of long drill work on a fair few telecasters. It’s best to use the thickest bit you can justify. That way they don’t wander. Then it’s a case of hold tight and keep control. The orange looks stronger on screen than in reality. Sony cameras have always been very fond of orange and green. I’ve covered relicing before in my Telecaster build. It’s an evolving process. I’m going to be finishing this build this week so hopefully the last episode is not far off. All the very best. C

[@lewe1882]

Sorry Chris but saying casual was a clumsy comment. What I meant was you made it seem so, due to your experience . Me? I would be scared stiff drilling that hole and afraid the angle would not end up in decent place and mess up everything achieved before. Hats off to you !

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

@@lewe1882 I know what you mean. Sometimes things are the result of a simple force of will. I copied an ovation headstock once. It’s a complex shape. I couldn’t get a replacement one anywhere and everyone who promised me one let me down. So I made one. I thought about for days then one day it was me and the wood. I just started. I simply kept going scraping away at it until it looked more and more right. In the end I had a pretty good copy. I still love that guitar for pretty much that reason. Sometimes you just have to stow the apprehension and just start. There you go. Your very own Philosophy Corner. C

[@CMRWoodworks]

“Ground up kittens” 😂

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

What is guitar making without a little humour? Ground up kittens made me laugh when I watched it back too. C best wishes.

[@coltonpotter960]

Dang posted 6 minutes ago? I'm early! So pumped to keep watching. I'm gonna be doing a partscaster Mustang with a p90 in it similar to a LP Junior for my birthday, so this series is like my blueprint! Thanks for making such quality content!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Ooo Colton that sounds coool. Keep me posted. I do love a Mustang. C

[@coltonpotter960]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking You got it!

[@1958Putty]

Welcome back, I really look forward to your builds. Can't wait to see the finished product because if I'm honest, I'm not loving the orange. But that's why we do this, right? Everyone has their own vision and you usually don't disappoint! I am confident it will be awesome.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Colour is a very personal choice. As an ornament it may not work. But onstage it should stand out. I mostly use just stains on my guitars but this style is often bright colours.

[@markwarner5554]

Vis a vis the tuners, I think it's more important that they look straight than that they actually be straight. They absolutely don't have to be straight (example: Warwick basses), but if they don't look straight to you, like you say, it will drive you nuts.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Totally. I have used many rules and guides but , as you say it’s not right unless it looks right. C

[@CollinSethBrown]

Looking so good, love the color choice!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thank you!! Not everyone agrees. But that’s cool. C

[@jah8859]

Finally, someone does an orange guitar, Love it... were the t-shirts just a happy coincidence? As always, a very enjoyable and entertaining watch. cheers Chris. ☮❤

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

The T shirts were totally an accident. Or were they…..? C

[@davidjennings9253]

I've really enjoyed the series so far but I can't pretend to like the orange. Its okay on Fender style guitars but Gibson style needs wood colours and a proper deep finish. I dont think you are going to develop your finishing skills unles you get a spraygun and compressor. Aerosols are okay and I know a lot of new guitar makers start with them but they do not put enough material down and the spray nozzles are no match for a gun which you can adjust. I've never done a relic finish as I cannot bring myself to spend so much time getting a finish only to wreck it with dings. If a customer asks I always refuse and send them elsewhere. It's just not my thing, its one thing for a guitar to gain scars over many years of use but relicing rarely looks the same even the custom shop ones look false to me. I about to watch part 8 so am looking forward to the final result, particularly the sound of that pickup. Good work and best wishes.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Hi David. The orange is ‘challenging’. It was a deliberately bold choice and I was not convinced about it either. That said… I love it. It’s not as scorching as it appears onscreen. It’s mellowed quickly and looks a little faded. I rubbed it back and dulled the gloss. I also gave it a couple of thin coats of vintage amber to mellow it out and make it appears a bit yellowed with age. Colour is always going to be contentious. I have a compressor and a gun. I struggled and it got in the way. I will go back to it but cans do the job and most people watching will enter at this level. It gives me somewhere to go in the future too. I’m happy to have a weakness to be honest. It makes me human and believable. I do plan to dust it off one day though. As for relicing. It’s just a lot of fun and if your finish isn’t factory level you can at least create a relatively convincing classic. Not for everyone of course and I go to great lengths to say this in every vid I do where I use it. At the moment it’s relevant and fun. But that will change. Thanks for your excellent input. C

[@davidjennings9253]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking Hi Chris, Sorry didn't mean to sound critical. I made my 1st electric guitar in 1961 with some very crude hand tools, but it worked out fine. I struggled with finishing as all I had was a brush. I painted on about twenty thin coats, sanding very gently in between and then buffed up with T Cut on a felt pad mounted on a wood block. I achieved a glass like finish but it took ages. It was some five years later that I got a modelling airbrush which transformed my finish, but once I got a proper spraygun I couldn't believe the difference. I am retired from guitar making now but enjoy the various Utube videos so much that I am thinking of starting again. Keep up the great work !!!!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

@@davidjennings9253 I would miss it so much. Great to hear your story David C

[@stevedanby8042]

Worth the wait, the ageing looks really good and the slight ambering works a treat. What type of tuners are those?

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

They are from China via AliExpress. It’s the best way I know to get quality tuners. I just study the pics and check the casting aren’t to crude. It’s a lottery to a small extent. If they are silly cheap then they will be bad. Generally I find the quality is excellent and delivery just a couple of weeks. We have to face the fact that everything is made in China, even the premium brands.

[@duster413]

Great to see you back! The small piece of angle scrap is a great idea for the channel drilling that never dawned on me. One now added to the box! Old English Scratch Cover-Do you prefer the lighter or darker wood version for relicing?

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

It’s a good one I isn’t it, I prefer the darker one for relicing

[@ghosthawk65]

Thanks. A quick question: what size is your workshop? I’m planning a new workshop and wondered what is the minimum size and best proportions.

[@KruszO]

Waiting for this video Chris - great stuff as always How many coats of nitro did you do? And was this sanded between? I'm contemplating a super strat build for next project and would like to do something similar like a Dave Murray strat with a bit of relicing Cheers, AK

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks AK. I guess there’s about a good two coats of primer and then a light sanding with 400. Then two coats of colour and a single coat of light amber to finish. The neck had a couple of coats of light amber, a light spray of tobacco on the headstock face. I sand back with 600 and then use T cut abrasive paste to smooth out. I’m not big on mirror finishes. The look wrong on retro guitars. I guess that’s why I don’t spray polyurethane. C

[@sosugarplumfairy]

What camera are you using? Great quality image!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

2 xZVE 10 plus a GoPro hero 10. I sometimes use my iPhone 13 but rarely.

[@mariobernier4606]

Really nice looking guitar Chris ! some areas are really shiny - do you sand it using 1000 grit ? or something like that ? Can't wait to hear this pickup scream !

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

It’s more that I have knocked the shine off the finish on the flat areas. I will be going over the whole instrument at the end to get a dull shine on it. Old instruments don’t quite shine being my objective

[@lindamcguigan5989]

Chris it just needs a neck break

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Haha! That’s a real Gibson trait. I use a volute on the headstock reverse side. It means the wood is much thicker there and I think it looks classy. My teacher introduced me to them and a wouldn’t make an angled headstock without one. Why Gibson haven’t addressed this issue is beyond me. It probably a small part of the malaise that has descended on the company in recent years. C

[@BenParks]

Late to the party on this as I just found your channel. Nice work! Did you do any grain filling? Is the paint going to sink into the grain?

[@BenParks]

Oh - just seen the relicing section - never mind 😂

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

I did cover the prep for the body and neck. I really can’t remember the details. If I did any deep mahogany grain filling as such I don’t remember. I do generally do whatever is required to fill the grain before I prime. I think I grain used a cellulose sanding sealer and that did enough. The clay like paste is not nice to use and a bit claggy. After a couple of coats of sanding sealer I would light sand and then prime the neck and body. I was a bit sly about this because I wanted to get the neck to look like it had worn through but didn’t want to see grey primer because it’s ugly. So I dodged the neck primer sometimes around the areas I wanted to reveal. I hope this helps, but generally what’s in the video is what I did. Thanks for your input. C

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

@@BenParks Aha and there’s me shaky the memory banks. C

[@BenParks]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking well I meant more that as you were going for a vintage look you probably didn’t care too much about the paint sagging into the grain. That would add to the vibe. Looks great in the vid. After a number of kit builds, im just starting my first scratch body build so all the tips are very useful - thanks!🙏

[@fretboarder4752]

It was going great until you sprayed it bloody orange!!!!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Ooooh but it looks so cool now. It’s fading and it looks like a faded Cadillac. Be brave. Tis’ but a thing of beauty and sounds like a lark. C