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Gene Simmons LoBue Tribute Build

#421
Arnie said:
ace_zpsdebae2aa.jpg


Thought you might like a pic of Ace with that guitar..
Click to expand...

Frehley said of that guitar that while it looked cool he HATED the way it sounded, he took it out on tour but used it for only one or two songs before asking his tech to give him his Les Paul because he couldn't deal with it.

If you look at the specs though it's little wonder why Frehley didn't like it, it had NOTHING in common with what he was used to playing, it simply was a model Washburn put together and put Frehley's name on without input from the guy.
 
#423
My plan:
-Cut two strips that are just a hair thicker than the headstock piece.
-Glue the strips to both sides of the remaining headstock.
-Once dried, I will sand them flush to the remaining headstock.
-Make an MDF template of the desired headstock shape.
-Double stick tape the template to the headstock rough.
-Rout out the shape.

Thoughts?
 
#424
bassgod76 said:
My plan:
-Cut two strips that are just a hair thicker than the headstock piece.
-Glue the strips to both sides of the remaining headstock.
-Once dried, I will sand them flush to the remaining headstock.
-Make an MDF template of the desired headstock shape.
-Double stick tape the template to the headstock rough.
-Rout out the shape.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

that actually sounds like a good plan to not screw up the headstock. go for it, eager to see more build pics :hyper:
 
#425
bassgod76 said:
My plan:
-Cut two strips that are just a hair thicker than the headstock piece.
-Glue the strips to both sides of the remaining headstock.
-Once dried, I will sand them flush to the remaining headstock.
-Make an MDF template of the desired headstock shape.
-Double stick tape the template to the headstock rough.
-Rout out the shape.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

That's how I would do it.

BTW your electronics will be on their way next week. :D
 
#427
bassgod76 said:
Okay, I might try gluing that up tonight.
Click to expand...

If you haven't already glued it, consider "carefully" planning a spot or two for a couple of tiny brads (nails)...tap them in just enough to stay and then clip off the rest..when you clap the wood pieces together, they will help keep things from slipping and sliding around as much. Just be sure they will be in a location you won't need to drill or cut later, or they can cause some damage when your tool hits them.
 
#428
Tonight went well. While not having the router bit I ordered, I decided to focus on the headstock.

When I cut the original wings off the headstock, small mill marks were left. One side had a burr I wanted to smooth out.

You can kind of see the extra wood on the bottom, left hand side.
photo_zps584dccae.jpg


To keep a straight edge during sanding, I clamped some scrap MDF on both sides of the headstock.
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Both clamps on.
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My original plan was to take a sliver from my body wood for headstock fabrication. However, something told me I should keep my body intact.
photo_zpsc23bef48.jpg


Fortunately, my dad had a nice strip of oak laying around.
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Dry fitting pieces to my headstock.
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How the paper template will fit over the new wood.
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Glued!
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Next, I decided to work on my headstock routing template.

I took an old body template and recycled it.
photo_zpse2f269af.jpg


Traced out!
photo_zps7c3275c2.jpg


Rough cut from the band saw.
photo_zpsc708ca38.jpg


After some sanding. I'm happy with it.
photo_zps445d7ebb.jpg


Stay tuned!
 
#430
I quickly stopped by my folks' place to see how my headstock turned out.
Clamps off!
photo_zps90dbea8b.jpg


I slightly left a little wood on both sides, so I could really smooth them out by the time they are sanded to the headstock.
photo_zps7770c69d.jpg


I paired my template to see how it laid against the new headstock. I had a feeling I'd run into this. The template slightly overhangs the wood.
photo_zps5e70fd73.jpg

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Not a problem. I only need a tiny additional piece, so I added more wood.
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I also drilled the pilot holes on my template via drill press.
photo_zps8e56c0ab.jpg


For kicks, I decided to trace out my template to see how it would look. I first thought the tuner peg holes weren't lined up. After measuring 4X, it was an optical illusion. I'm good!
photo_zpsce4d6938.jpg
 
#436
Andii Syckz said:
I've been watching my kiss box set from 73-76 and while gene was playing his LoBue bass, i noticed the headstock was more box shaped and that the pin stripe of white made the black round out more. but it might be my imagination as well.
Click to expand...

When I'm able to get back to working on this again, I will make a mock headstock, paint it black with white edge, and add tuners.

I will post it here so we can see how close it looks to the original.
 
#438
Tonight was pretty disastrous. Let's begin; shall we?
Along with my Freud bit, I also ordered a new router collar. Due to last week's router stupidity, I had to.

photo_zps60b7cbc1-1.jpg


I took an old scrap piece of MDF to try my headstock template out.

photo_zps8867a3b6.jpg


Adding sides pieces to keep router bit straight.
photo_zpse20de1c0.jpg


I did one, and decided to do another. Practice makes perfect, I guess.

No matter what I did, the collar kept rubbing against the bit. I did everything to adjust the bit, router plate, collar, etc.

My theory is that my router bit is warped. In any event, I stupidly pressed on and I destroyed my routing collar AGAIN!

photo_zpsd30f5383.jpg


Did I destroy my nice headstock template? You bet!
photo_zpsf05b345f.jpg


This resulted in me yelling a bunch of obscenities. I was pissed.

I thought, "Oh well, I will start messing with my dad's router table".

NO DICE! The table router is 1/4" chuck. My Freud bit is 1/2" chuck, and my dad doesn't have a 1/2" sleeve. Argh!

My dad said he could help me make a table so I can use the porter cable router upside down.

I'm just frustrated, and I feel like I took two steps back today.

It was getting late, I was pissed, so I closed shop.

I did do a paint mock up of the first headstock template. Let me know if it is correct looking.
photo_zpsbc87afb5.jpg


I also scored a deal on a $40 beater. I had some spare pickus and parts laying around, so I slapped some new strings on, adjusted the neck and action, and now it rocks pretty hard!
Before:
photo_zpsc596f8d2.jpg


After:
photo_zpsb79dada2.jpg


I still want to refinish it, but haven't decided on a color. Maybe surf green?
 
#439
bassgod76 said:
No matter what I did, the collar kept rubbing against the bit. I did everything to adjust the bit, router plate, collar, etc.
Click to expand...

You need a larger diameter collar. You can't have them that close in size. Your Router might also have a little run-out in the shaft. Make sure the bit is well up into the collet.

You have to change your template to account for the size of the collar and the bit. You can't use a collar with a 1:1 pattern.

Why not use a pattern bit with a top bearing?
 
#440
I was originally going to use my top bearing Freud bit, but the angle of the neck prohibits me from mounting the template to the underside of the headstock. I think my dad has a bottom bearing template bit that may solve the problem.
The original smaller collar worked with that bit. I have to replace the collar anyways, so I will add a new bit to my order.
 

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