White/Gold

By Tom Palecki
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

It's a 24 fret Gibson 24 & 1/2 inch scale.
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10112
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by shramiac »

Cool. Just looked around on the net and I for one, thought for years that the standard Gibson scale was 24 3/4", since 1992 it's been either 24 9/16" or 24 5/8", depending on where it's been built....hence the easier 24 1/2" term?
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

I've also been building what I call "Mini" guitars which use a 23 1/2 inch scale. That scale is taken from
the 1950's Gibson Byrdland hollow body concert guitar. I also use the body profile but I miniaturized it
to create a solid body proportioned to a smaller size. See below:

Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Start of inlay routing on the WG/FB. Shown: using 1/8" bit to hog out maximum amount of wood
before trimming up with 1/16" bit and clean up with 1/32" bit for final fit. I've also got some
clear neoprene tubing with a nozzle down near the cutting bit which is hooked up to an aquarium
air pump to blow away the chips and dust while I'm routing the inlay cavities.

Image
User avatar
tukoztukoz
Posts: 989
Joined: Sat May 11, 2013 7:20 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by tukoztukoz »

How deep do you "dig" into the fretboard?
say two sky two say fare
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

The Inlays are .060 (1/16" thick) and that how deep I route the fret board.
SonOfTheAnkh
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:54 am
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by SonOfTheAnkh »

Are these going to be available to buy at all? If so, where would we go to buy them?
Image
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17747
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by Genebaby »

Sent Tom a PM from here and you'll be able to get what you're after.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
birnie
Posts: 1911
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:08 am
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by birnie »

...and then start a new thread and watch the master at work
User avatar
Arjen
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:01 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by Arjen »

Great to see the progress on this beauty! Thanks for the updates Tom!!
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Here's another progress shot of the fret board work for the W/G-VV. I've got all of the inlay cavities routed
and I'm ready to install the inlays. I'm using some 2 part Loctite epoxy to glue the inlays in and then I'll mix
more epoxy with the powdered ebony at the lower right corner area of the photo to fill in the gaps around the
inlays. This filler will be sanded off as I'm adding the 16 inch radius to the F/B.
Once that is done I can glue the F/B to the neck and proceed to install the frets & when that's complete I can
move on to shaping the neck followed by gluing on all of the fins.
Moving onto routing all of the necessary cavities is next and when I'm done with all of that, painting will follow,
so stay tuned in as it's getting closer to completion.

Image

PS: The F/B in the photo looks a bit curved but that's just because of the camera lens distortion. I assure you that the
fretboard is straight as an arrow.
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17747
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by Genebaby »

Soooo nice!
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Screen shot of my radius blocks and my 18" long X 16"r radius beam.

Image

Sanding the 16" radius with the beam using 80 grit to start.
Then using 120, 220, & 320 grit to finish.

Image

Also, a shot of my tools board just for the heck of it.

Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10112
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by shramiac »

I bet Rick offered to buy that neck and body when he was there! :twisted:
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17747
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by Genebaby »

Nice tools Tom!!!
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

I don't remember that Rick ever said much about the neck and body on the tools board.
That guitar was what I got from Sears (cheap) so I could use the parts for a guitar I built (first one ever).
I modified the body from what was originally a Bat shape which I modified a bit to my own liking.
I then used the body for an experimental paint job. The neck was my first foray into making a fret board as well.
Used Wenge wood for the board and frosted plexiglass for the inlays. Fret slots were hand sawn too.
User avatar
poserboy71
Posts: 15871
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:18 am
Location: Y-Town

Re: White/Gold

Post by poserboy71 »

Believe me, I wanted to be able to walk out of that shop with a few guitars that day. One day I will.
THINK: Porter Wagoner

:wink: I am the Undisputed Sex Symbol of the VVFF
NEWBEGINNINGS
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

OK By Me Rick. I've got a bunch here waiting for you.

T@AZG
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Here's a shot of the fretboard getting all gooped up. I've mixed the Ebony/Inlay powder with epoxy and used
it to fill any gaps between the inlays and the FB Wood. After this sets up I'll be removing the thin cardboard gap
fillers in the fret slots which keep them clean while I do the Gooping. Then I need to use the 16"r. beam to sand down
the high spots and the filler will blend into the ebony wood color.
When that's all done I will glue the FB on the neck and proceed to get the neck shaped and ready for fins.

Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Prep for gluing FB on neck.
Image

Gluing & clamping FB onto Neck.
Image

Ready for fret work coming up.
Image
User avatar
birnie
Posts: 1911
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:08 am
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by birnie »

That freaks me out a little !
Never knew it was done in that order
Now you have to cut around it all to shape the neck ?
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Yep'. I like to leave the bottom of the neck flat which makes it easier to clamp down the FB and so I can put
in the frets with my press. After that's done I 'll shape the neck.
It's not as crazy as it seems. As soon as those procedures are done I'll glue on the fins and start routing the
necessary cavities for the bridge, pickups and electronics.
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17747
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by Genebaby »

Tom knows what he's doing alright!!!!
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
birnie
Posts: 1911
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:08 am
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by birnie »

Genebaby wrote:Tom knows what he's doing alright!!!!
True Dat !
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

This shot shows the start of the fret work. I'm pre-sizing the frets and using fret nippers to
shorten the end tangs so the main tang will fit between the bindings. Once I get them all
modified I can press all of them into the slots on the FB. And after that it's trim all of the fret
ends and file them down flush with the bindings.
The final bit will be to level the frets and polish them up. Then it's onto shaping the neck.

Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Today I'm in the midst of shaping the neck. Will be gluing on the wings soon and blending the base of the neck into them.

Image
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17747
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by Genebaby »

Looking good!
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
shramiac
Posts: 10112
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 6:34 pm
Location: Grant the Gibbon is on holiday.
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by shramiac »

And what pray tell is that hollow body in the background? Hmmmmmmm??????
Promises made, crying in vain, all empty. Never accepting the blame and not letting go of the shame. A river of tears, as months turn to years, all wasted. On someone not willing to change.Now only a shadow remains! :(
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Hi Shram,
That is one of my "Mini" guitars that I'm also building for a long time customer of mine.
It's also semi-hollow with chambers just under the openings in the laminated front surface.
Otherwise the body is solid Alder, the lam top is Flame Maple with a matching headstock.
User avatar
poserboy71
Posts: 15871
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:18 am
Location: Y-Town

Re: White/Gold

Post by poserboy71 »

!!!!
THINK: Porter Wagoner

:wink: I am the Undisputed Sex Symbol of the VVFF
NEWBEGINNINGS
vinniguitar1
Posts: 276
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:00 pm
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by vinniguitar1 »

What a beautiful cherry burst Gibson!!
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

I built the those first two Mini's several years ago and was working on a distribution deal with a company in Japan.
I sold the first two (see photo) to the company rep and shortly after Japan's economy tanked. So much for almost had it.
We had some really nice cases made at Reunion Blues in San Francisco as well and shortly thereafter they went out of
business. I still make them from time to time now upon request and have one in the works as I write this. Will post photo
when I'm done.
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

It's getting there . . . . If you look closely the trem and pickup locations are drawn out on the body.
It's now close to routing time which is next.

Image
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17747
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by Genebaby »

It looks good now. It's gonna be mind blowing when the paint goes on.
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
birnie
Posts: 1911
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:08 am
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by birnie »

Great !
I keep patiently (im?) checking here for Mr P updates
Love it Tom ! :D
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Typical artist at work here. I love what I do and the attention that derives from it.
And, knowing people who can appreciate the results.
Thanks Birnie
Mr. P
PS, That goes for all of you other guys too.
SonOfTheAnkh
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:54 am
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by SonOfTheAnkh »

Any plans on making Pear-dimension VVs?
Image
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17747
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Re: White/Gold

Post by Genebaby »

Tom will make it if you order it!
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Son of the Ankh,
The guitar I built a while back for Metatron was built to 92 PEAR dimensions. And the original one for Vinnie of course.
While building the original 92 (#1) I created full size blue prints as well so that helped a lot building #2. So if you're
interested I can give you a quote for #3.
SonOfTheAnkh
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:54 am
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by SonOfTheAnkh »

AZGuitars wrote:Son of the Ankh,
The guitar I built a while back for Metatron was built to 92 PEAR dimensions. And the original one for Vinnie of course.
While building the original 92 (#1) I created full size blue prints as well so that helped a lot building #2. So if you're
interested I can give you a quote for #3.
Thanks for responding! Unfortunately I'm only fourteen and won't be able to afford anything until a couple years of working.. I was just wondering in case the future brings anything :lol:
Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Thanks for letting me know that. Hopefully I'll still be doing this when you may be ready.
Good luck to both of us.

Tom
SonOfTheAnkh
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:54 am
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by SonOfTheAnkh »

AZGuitars wrote:Thanks for letting me know that. Hopefully I'll still be doing this when you may be ready.
Good luck to both of us.

Tom
For sure
Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Progress Continues:

Image
SonOfTheAnkh
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:54 am
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by SonOfTheAnkh »

AZGuitars wrote:Progress Continues:

Image
It looks great Tom! Can't wait to see the finished product!
Image
User avatar
poserboy71
Posts: 15871
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:18 am
Location: Y-Town

Re: White/Gold

Post by poserboy71 »

My address is...
THINK: Porter Wagoner

:wink: I am the Undisputed Sex Symbol of the VVFF
NEWBEGINNINGS
SonOfTheAnkh
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:54 am
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by SonOfTheAnkh »

poserboy71 wrote:My address is...
I think we gotta find out TOM'S address, I think a grand heist is in order! :lol:
Image
User avatar
AZGuitars
Posts: 319
Joined: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:30 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by AZGuitars »

Hey Poser,
In your post, that sounds like a "Send 'TO' (you) Address" to me.
Though you may have a fight on your hands from Arjen.
And to Son of . . . . I now have land mines buried on my property
and vicious Bob Cats roaming around just waiting for more food.
User avatar
poserboy71
Posts: 15871
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:18 am
Location: Y-Town

Re: White/Gold

Post by poserboy71 »

Busted.
As for Tom's place being well "protected" ... Let's just say that I was frisked in a very dark room when I visited him. Not sure why I was asked to cough while holding an apple with my ass cheeks though.
THINK: Porter Wagoner

:wink: I am the Undisputed Sex Symbol of the VVFF
NEWBEGINNINGS
SonOfTheAnkh
Posts: 286
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:54 am
Location: Wisconsin
Contact:

Re: White/Gold

Post by SonOfTheAnkh »

AZGuitars wrote:Hey Poser,
In your post, that sounds like a "Send 'TO' (you) Address" to me.
Though you may have a fight on your hands from Arjen.
And to Son of . . . . I now have land mines buried on my property
and vicious Bob Cats roaming around just waiting for more food.
:lol: You never cease to entertain me Tom
Image
User avatar
Arjen
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:01 am

Re: White/Gold

Post by Arjen »

Sorry guys but this beauty is coming home with me :)) and it's getting more beautiful by the week!! Keep the pictures coming Tom. This is truly exciting!!
Post Reply