My first (proper) guitar build: The Mor'Paul

[mcentric]

A little back-story:
When I started playing guitar 22 years ago, the guitar I dreamed about was a Les Paul. I never got around to playing one until 4 or 5 years later, and by then I was a devout Ibanezian. You can imagine my dream-crushing dissapointment when I straped on the Les Paul and experienced a neck, that to my lumberjack hands, felt like a slightly oversized toothpick!

Over the years I have stayed true to Ibanez, and have honestly never found guitar necks that I enjoy as much.... and I have tried a lot!

About 12 years ago I switched from 6 to 7 strings, and though I gladly change back to 6 now and then, I would guess it only accounts for maybe 20% of my playing time.

I got into the CNC hobby a few years ago with the intent to make my own guitars. But it's first now that I have actually gotten as far as to start thinking about routing guitars.

I have already started making some small scale guitars for my kids, and now I am ready to take the step up.... a really big step


So, the reason for this Frankenstein guitar: I still love the look of the Les paul, and I have wanted to take the step up from 7 to 8 strings, so voila.... the Mor'Paul. An 8 string 65.5" scale Les Paul with a Hipshot 8 string fixed bridge, and an EMG 808 active pickup.

Is it beautiful? It's a carved top Les Paulish body with an Ibanezish 8 string neck, so I would think that would be a resounding NO, but I think it's fun

I will try to document the build here, but don't expect this to be done in a few weeks

btw, the renderings don't represent the finished model. It's still a design in progress.

Views and comments appreciated.

cheers
Mikael

[Johnny501]

Looks good!
Rock on.
Keep us posted.

Johnny501
KOZM Guitars

[mcentric]

Looks good!
Rock on.
Keep us posted.

Johnny501
KOZM Guitars

Thanks

I really got some good tips from your stock holding video, and I intend to use some of the principles in my own machine. I'll try to document it

Before I actually start cutting this guitar I'm gonna finish the 22.5" scale Les Paul I'm making for my oldest son, who's 3. I have set the bridge back a bit, and with the neck entering the body at around the 13th fret the overall length of the guitar will be about 32.5" I'll post some pics if anyone's interested.

Mikael

[wbegg]

26.5" Scale? Wow! Do you use light gauge strings? They're going to be tighter than Dick's hatband! (Maybe you tune to Eb though).

I like the 8 string idea, I've been wanting to do that for a while. I like the curves. From the design pics, I assume it won't have a neck angle?? Not familiar with that bridge, so I don't know.

I like it. Keep us up to date.

[mcentric]

26.5" Scale? Wow! Do you use light gauge strings? They're going to be tighter than Dick's hatband! (Maybe you tune to Eb though).

I like the 8 string idea, I've been wanting to do that for a while. I like the curves. From the design pics, I assume it won't have a neck angle?? Not familiar with that bridge, so I don't know.

I like it. Keep us up to date.

Thanks

I doubt string tension will be any problem. My Ibanez RG 7620 7 string is a 25.5", and the 8 string RG2228 is a 27". I'm pretty sure I should be ok inside that range.

My tuning will be "standard" 8 string tuning of: F♯-B-E-A-D-G-B-E with a 10-74 string set

You are correct that there is no neck angle. It's a fairly standard fixed bridge system.

I'm still working on the design for this guitar, so in the mean time I'm making a mini 22" short scale "Less Paul" for my oldest son who is 3

I've made some blanks from spruce that I'm using to test cut the body and neck.

The final guitar will have maple body and neck with a wenge fretboard.

Mikael

[mcentric]

It's been a loooong time since there was progress in this project, but finally things have started rolling.

I'm working on the 22" Les(s) Paul for my son.



Here is a preliminary test of the guitar without the fretboard