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L'Esperance Guitars
United States
Приєднався 1 лип 2017
Welcome to my channel where everything guitar building is the theme. Here we can show our building skills, share techniques, discuss latest innovations in guitar building and just have fun talking shop.
My fretting process
This is the process I use to install frets on a newly constructed guitar neck. I'm able to keep the full crown height of all installed frets. There is no need to level with a sanding beam, then have to re-crown each fret. Some fine sanding is involved that will not change the crown or height. The frets end up full, level and perfectly radiused. Please like subscribe and share my videos and comment below with your thoughts or questions. Thanks!
www.lesperanceguitars.com
Music by Nonoclays: Nonoclays - See7music@gmail.com
www.lesperanceguitars.com
Music by Nonoclays: Nonoclays - See7music@gmail.com
Переглядів: 96
Відео
My Scarf Joint Neck Build Process
Переглядів 228Місяць тому
This is the process I use to build a scarf joint neck. Less lumber is needed overall and you end up with a very strong neck. www.lesperanceguitars.com
Another cool tool.....The Flatmaster
Переглядів 2,6 тис.2 місяці тому
StockRoom Supply asked me to do a video review on their Flatmaster sander. I've been using their V-Drum sander for years to build guitars and thought it would be great to share the possibilities that this machine has to offer the guitar building world out there. This is a very unique machine capable of sanding wood panels and even odd shaped objects dead flat. One unique thing that I'm not able...
Modular Paint Booth For A Small Shop
Переглядів 2953 місяці тому
In this video I'll show you how I'm able to have a modular paint spray booth in my small shop. We all know how valuable shop space is. Every inch of real estate is precious. I put together a modular constructed paint spray booth that is easy to assemble, use, disassemble and stow away. Two full sheets of 3/4" plywood, a 10' x 100' roll of 10 mil plastic, staples and wood screws is all that's ne...
Fingerboard inlays with a CNC machine
Переглядів 3019 місяців тому
This is my latest process for installing my 12th fret inlay and dots in a fingerboard. What used to take hours now only takes minutes. I love doing things by hand but not so much with intricate inlays so, this solves that problem for me. It is so accurate and clean. I thought this was worth showing. Thanks for watching!
Set neck guitar build series final
Переглядів 53611 місяців тому
This is the final part in this series. You'll see the processes that I use to prep and finish a guitar. Enjoy! Clearcoat - Simteccoatings.com Menzerna buffing compounds - Menzerna.com Super assilex sand sheets - Eagleabrasives.com Canton and Domet buffing wheels - Stewmac.com www.lesperanceguitars.com
Set neck guitar build series pt 5
Переглядів 1,1 тис.Рік тому
This is the 5th in a series of videos on how I build a set neck guitar. This one wraps up the woodworking process. There will be one more video that will go through the finishing stage and that will complete the series. www.lesperanceguitars.com
Perfect bookmatched guitar tops
Переглядів 240Рік тому
This is how I do a guitar top glue up for a bookmatched top. With the right blade installed on a nicely set up tool, you can achieve a perfect glue joint seam.
New Fingerboard Radius Sander is AWESOME!!!
Переглядів 977Рік тому
This is one of my newest pieces of equipment and it is an awesome upgrade for me. I wish I would have splurged on this tool a long time ago. Just going to give my pros and cons and what I think I can improve upon with this machine.
Set neck guitar build series pt 4
Переглядів 1,4 тис.Рік тому
This is part 4 of the Set neck guitar build series. This project is moving along well. www.lesperanceguitars.com
Set neck guitar build series pt 3
Переглядів 1,6 тис.Рік тому
I'm progressing forward in this video series getting close to wrapping up the neck portion of the build. I'll start on the body as well.
Set neck guitar build series pt 2
Переглядів 1,8 тис.Рік тому
This is part 2 of this Set neck guitar build series. www.lesperanceguitars.com
How to build a set neck guitar pt 1
Переглядів 5 тис.Рік тому
This is the first in a series of videos on how I build a double cut set neck carved top guitar using templates utilizing a guide pin system. I'll walk you through the processes that I use to building guitars. Enjoy!
These pickups have "Killer Tone"
Переглядів 3812 роки тому
I just wanted to recognize a great pickup company that I'm using exclusively these days. "Dominger Custom Built Pickups" These are the best pickups in my opinion. Not only have they designed a L'Esperance Signature series I and II sets of Humbuckers for me, they also have a great line up of Humbuckers, single coils, p-90's and bass pickups. These folks have dialed in what I need for every situa...
Dry sanding vs wet sanding guitar finishes
Переглядів 3,4 тис.2 роки тому
I've changed my process on final sanding and buffing stages and this has been a game changer. No more wet sanding for me. This whole process works out better than ever. This is just another venture into making the process of building a guitar better, easier and bringing the quality out to it's max potential. Check it out. Visit our website at: www.lesperanceguitars.com Super Assilex - www.amazo...
How to apply a cross fade stain guitar finish
Переглядів 8702 роки тому
How to apply a cross fade stain guitar finish
How to install an Original Floyd Rose Bridge
Переглядів 10 тис.3 роки тому
How to install an Original Floyd Rose Bridge
Build a better fingerboard radius jig!
Переглядів 10 тис.3 роки тому
Build a better fingerboard radius jig!
How to build a scarf joint guitar neck pt5
Переглядів 1,5 тис.4 роки тому
How to build a scarf joint guitar neck pt5
How to build a guitar scarf joint neck pt4
Переглядів 1,9 тис.4 роки тому
How to build a guitar scarf joint neck pt4
How to build a scarf joint guitar neck pt 3
Переглядів 2,3 тис.4 роки тому
How to build a scarf joint guitar neck pt 3
Straighten out rough lumber for guitar building
Переглядів 3,1 тис.4 роки тому
Straighten out rough lumber for guitar building
How to build a scarf joint guitar neck pt 2
Переглядів 3,4 тис.4 роки тому
How to build a scarf joint guitar neck pt 2
Enjoying your videos. I'm in the process of making some of my own templates and am stuck finding drill bushings like the ones you use - is there any chance you could share where you found them? I have found some at Carr Lane etc but they do not ship to Aus where I am.
Glad you're enjoying my videos. The bushings I'm using are not hardened steel. I really have to go easy with the drilling or they will wear out quickly. Got them from Home Depot here in the U.S. They are just spacers. The hardened steel drill bushings are very expensive, especially when I need 1/2" long ones. Sorry, but I'm actually looking again myself. I'll keep you posted when I find them. I know that Maximum Guitar Works has some for sale to use with 1/4" template material. Maybe try them. Thanks for watching!
This is awesome. I am in the middle of building my own buffer and this video is so promising. I bought some super assilex also and I am looking forward to my upcoming finishes
Glad to help and good luck with the Super Assilex
Damn this sandpaper is expensive
It is but, each sheet out lasts any regular sandpaper. In all actuality, it is comparable in price because they last longer. Plus being able to use them dry for finish work.
I know, especially since I only need one or two pieces. 😫
You didn't need to cut away the dust collector door, just flip the swing arm and sand with the headstock at the other end
The other way it hangs over the platen. I've got it set up nice now. No cutting required. Thanks for watching?
@@lesperanceguitars8381 You have to switch the swing arm around 180 so the blue masking take is facing away from you because your swing arm is offset - It's not symmetrical spaced. I didn't add any other pointers because you said the setup was new to you and I only noticed after I posted that you published this video over a year ago. (You might know this now but I'll add:) You don't need the wooden shim because the gantry arms allow the swing arm to drop down so the swing arm reaches the sandpaper. And at @5:15 the reason those green parts swivel are so you can do compound radius necks and a major reason the setup is angled across the sander. Have a look on James Tylers youtube channel. They have a nice quick demo of how they use their modded Grizzly for their necks. All the best 👍
I turned it 180 after I posted the video. It's running great. The reason for the wood strip on the bottom of the swingarm is to compensate for the difference in thickness of the two types of necks that I build. I just add and remove it instead of readjusting the arms. Keeps it simple and accurate. I will look at his video as well. Thanks for taking the time to give me some info. I enjoy these type of conversations. It's all about sharing experiences. Peace!
@@lesperanceguitars8381 That's great and I totally agree! It all about sharing information. I love it when I find something new or a new approach.✌
Looks really good thanks for the info
You welcome and thanks for watching!
Great video. This looks like an interesting product. I have to admit that I was a bit turned off in the beginning when you said that the table wasn’t flat right out of the box. I mean with a name like Flatmaster I’d expect it to be flat and not have the end user have to mess with putting strips of tape to even out the top. This still bothers me a bit but I kept watching and I saw how you were able to make the boards flat. I do have a Dewalt thickness planar, but it produces more snipe than I’d like and it’s only 13” wide. I didn’t hear you mention snipe at all n your video and the boards looked like you got them pretty flat. I did notice at the end when you had your hands resting on the top it looked like it had some flex/give to it. Looks like the top is made out of 1/4” aluminum or something. Not sure how much this device costs, but it does look good. Or with your 13+ years of experience with the previous model, you’re really good at using it. Thanks for the video, I thought your audio was ok, didn’t bother me at all, but I’m 50+ (bad hearing?) and watching on an iPad mini.
It really doesn't flex when using it. I do wish it had a thicker MDF board under the steel top though. It truely does flatten out lumber nicely. Thanks for watching!
Many thanks - I've done it both ways, but I think I'll try frets in first again next time. I tend to press frets and then check fret-to-fret levels before running a little thin ca down the fret slot. I love your attention to detail. I agree if you can minimise errors at each step, they don't build up so much. Looking forward to the next video. Cheers.
just trying to minimize all this filing and crowning. Thanks for watching!
That makes so much sense to press the frets while the neck is still flat and uncarved. I also suspect a lot of builders do not check the frets with a rocker when they're putting them in.
I've had great success with this method. Thanks for watching!
If anyone happens to have a nice miter gauge , you dont need any jig to cut the scarf .. i have an incra miter 1000hd and it has registration points for every degree and i tried it for scarfs and you just set the degree and it worked perfectly. You dont need a fancy one like the incra , even if you have a cheap one it will work if you add a longer sacrificial fence ... Cheers 😊
Very useful, thanks!
Your welcome and thanks for watching!
awesome work Paul! that's a beautiful guitar my friend, keep it up, cheers!
Thankyou and thanks for watching!
Hi Paul, now that I came across this video, I have the binding on my Ibanez, which is originally white, now turned yellowish. How can I fix it and make it white again?
If it has finish over it... not without stripping the finish off. The yellowing is typically in the finish. You would need to strip and refinish. I hope this helps!
If you are making your guitar for yourself the super easy way to make your fretboard is to just make it flat. Hell with all this radius BS.
I have two Flatmasters, two Little Rippers and two Round Rippers. Love everything from Stockroom supply....
Awsome. I'm thinking about getting the Little Ripper as well.
@@PG-sd1yn You won't be disappointed
@@johnmmiller Stockroom supply has some really cool tools for sure. Thanks for watching!
Great videos, very educational.
Hi Paul, did you dye this green body then clear coat? On the back you painted it black,do you level sand the black paint before spraying the clear coat then level sand again?
@mauricelavergne3434 I stained the green, coated the body with sanding sealer, sanded level, sprayed black on the back and clearcoated.
What type of finish are you using? How long do you leave it cure before you level sand it?
@mauricelavergne3434 I used Prestic 27x1 and x2 urethane and catalyst from Simtec coatings. Wait a week or 2 then sand and buff. Thanks for watching!
Hey Paul just got my 24” flatmaster kit, going to start building the box this week, just wondering what you used for your top when you made your 18” box and top, did you use a laminate on the top? Also wondering when using stainless steel frets should I radius them to the exact radius of the fretboard? I alway make my fretboards a 12” radius and put a 10” radius on nickel silver frets and they sit real nice. Should I radius they S/S frets to 12”?
I actually purchased the top from Stockroom supply also. If I where to make one, I would use MDF, glue a couple pieces together to make it thicker and laminate it with some of that material that is used on kitchen counter tops. It may be vinyl, not sure. They also sell metal tops to place on top or the MDF tops. As far as SS frets, I keep the radius the same because it will generally want to spring back to the over radiused shape. Nickle silver I over radius a little. It won't spring back. That's just my experience with it.
Hi Paul what lenght of truss rod did you use when building Nono’s neck?
I used an 18" double action trussrod
Hey Paul, just wondering what neck angles your headstock is on Nono’s guitar. I am building a guitar with a Schaller roller bridge and will be using a Duesenberg Les Trem 2 as the stop tailpiece, what angle would you make the headstock at? Watching the whole build on this, very nice.
Around the time of that video, I was putting 13 degree angles on non trem guitars and 9 degrees on tremolo. Now, everything I do is 9 degrees. The theory was thT a tremolo needed less angle to allow less pressure on the nut so that the strings could side back and forth in the nut with less restriction or something like that. I've built quite a few guitats and just didn't notice the difference. Plus, if you build a one piece neck construction, you will use less thicker lumber. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching my series.
Do you know a alternative to the stewmac blade now that LMI is closed?
Look at Rall Guitars and Tools. They are in Germany. They have a 6" with a 5/8" arbor mount hole that cuts a .6mm kerf, which is approx .023".
Honestly, try wrapping the left side of the drum with 60 and the right side with 100. I just may order this kit for myself.
Yeah, the 60 grit would make short work of things. The 3/4 horse power motor wouldn't even slow down with this machine.
get a microphone, the audio is terrible
I'm actually using a mic, and I agree it doesn't sound all that great. I could use something better but, honestly, I usually don't even use a mic at all and I think that's better. No offense but, I'm not looking to win an academy award here. I'm a guitar builder in a work shop trying to get info out to the guitar building public, not a content creator in a studio. Anyway, thanks for the tip and Thanks for watching.
@@lesperanceguitars8381 the audio makes it unwatchable, I do see you have a mic, it sounds as though the mic level is possibly too high
Sounds like I haven't found the right mic for the job. Any suggestions from yourself or anyone else out there of where I can get a good mic system without breaking the bank would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
@@lesperanceguitars8381 , The audio isn't terrible. It's good enough.
By the way another great video.
I appreciate that and thanks for watching!
Hi Paul,this looks like a great tool, it looks to me that it acts as a wide jointer as well. Once I flatten out my two body pieces on my jointer and square the ends I glue it up but never seem to be able to get the joint perfectly flat, I then have to go to a local shop that has a 16” helical jointer and pay about 30.00 to flatten my two piece body blank so I can then run it through my drum sander to get the thickness right. Very expensive. I think this could replace the 8” jointer I have and possibly do more things than the jointer can do. What do you think? Regards Maurice
I agree. I've used one of these flat sanders for years and I can tell you, it will work for you. Just at theat $30 up over time, it could pay for one of these tools. Good luck! Thanks for watching!
They sell the drum sander as a kit. That's how I bought it. You get either a 18" or 24" drum, bearings, pulleys and a link belt. You can buy a top or make one. You'll need to make a box for it and there are instructions on how to do that. They sell motors or you could buy one locally. Hope this helps.
Master!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you.
I hope this video helped you. Thanks for watching!
Nicely dialed in tooling, very practical setup. All the right choices and time taken to get it all smooth. Solid riffs and content!
Thanks, and thanks for watching!
Amazing. I couldn’t imagine having to put that up every time I needed to finish, I’m in the middle of adding onto my shop bc paint booth needs too. This is Incredible work.
It's really not so bad. I just schedule the paint sessions to work for me. I've actually kept it up over a month at times and still was able to do all my routing work, ect. It works great for now. Thanks for watching!
I meant to ask you what your painting set up is right now while you're waiting to get a booth built?
Can you please tell me what model your DeWalt trim router is? Looking to purchase the DeWalt model DWP611 but yours looks a tad bit smaller and the perfect size for that binding channel application. Great video! Thank you!
I have a DeWALT D26670 compact router. I've had it for years so not sure ifit is still available. Thanks for watching!
@@lesperanceguitars8381 ok, thanks LesperanceGuitars. Appreciate the reply.
I had a friend who was a senior master builder at Fender. He could grab a neck and radius the fretboard by hand on a belt sander. Even compound radius. He would just grab the thing and dig in on the sander. A few measurements here and there and it was done. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it. Same thing with shaping the back of the neck profile.
Those guys are truly masters of the trade. I'll have to try it some day! Thanks for watching my videos!
Thank you for the great video and advise you suggested to me from another video of yours that led me here and yes you are ansolutely right. After finding eagle abrasives/Kovax who and why would anyone ever wet sand again. Their product is great. It is absolutely superior quality and works amazing. And it really is not that expensive if you factor in the amount you get per box. If you were to purhase and other p rated paper it would be relatively the same. Plus they make starter kits that come with the sandpaper, flat thin pad and the foam sanding block for cheaper than if you bought it all separately. Thank you again. If it was not for your video I do not know if I would have found them. So glad I did. Definitly a changer.
Awsome...glad I could help. Thanks for watching!
Look for Dupli Carver . X Y & Z action
I've seen that carver. It's a nice piece. Do you have one of those?
If you do not mind me asking. When you said you use wax on any holes in the guitar. Do you fill the entire hole or line the rim or edge of the hole or do you just get it to cover the top of the opening of the whole? A demonstration video on how you do that would be great. No one covers that. It is always mentioned but not shown. Thank you.
I would use a q-tip and spread Johnsons paste wax around the wall of the potentiometer holes, making sure that a layer of wax is covering where the finish meets the top wood. Hope that makes sense. You still need to be carefully though. It's not foolproof. I don't wet sand anymore though. Take a look at my "Dry sanding vs wet sanding guitar finishes" video. You'll never have to be concerned about water getting under the finish. Thanks for watching!
@lesperanceguitars8381 thank you very much for your reply and I actually did see your video on dry sanding. Is the sandpaper you suggested the only one you can dry sand with. Obviously it is the one you recommend, but is it expensive. I really want to do a good job but I am on a tight budget. Your videos and information is always great. Going to rewatch the dry sanding one again right now. Thank you.
There are other sanding systems out there, Buflex, Tolcut, ect... You can find some Super Assilex and these other brands variety packs on Amazon Prime that will have 600,800 and 1200 grit for example. 2 sheets per. Those are a little cheaper.
Thank you.
Impressive work, beautiful instrument!
Thanks for the compliment and thanks for watching!
You are a very patient and meticulous gentleman. Beautiful work brother!!!!
Thankyou for the great compliments and thanks for watching my videos!
That's a cool jig. Great video and bgm!!
I appreciate the compliment and thanks for watching!
Great job.
Thanks and thanks for watching!
Great video.. what song is this ?
All music on this video is from an amazing recording artist and L'Esperance Guitar player named Clay "NoNo" Singletary. You can find him on Instagram, Facebook and UA-cam at See7music www.youtube.com/@see7music261/videos . Thanks for watching!
Is there any info or videos about that sander?
Go to Stockroomsupplies.com. they have all the info you need. Thanks for watching!
@@lesperanceguitars8381 thank you so much!
I wet sanded a flying V I refinished, and eventually cracks started happening. First were the holes for the pickguard, secondly in other areas. They were minor, nevertheless they were visible.
When I drill for pickup rings, pickgaurd screws, strap buttons, ect., I always drill them after buffing and camfer them with a camfering bit. That way the screws threads never touch the finish on the edges of the holes. This keeps the cracks away. Thanks for watching!
@@lesperanceguitars8381Thank you.
Iya was interesting to see how you were doing the arm carve. Both with the router and the binding. I'm curious to see the color you are putting on that.
That was a while ago but I believe it was a Tangerine Candy Pearl finish. Thanks for watching!
it hits different when a skilled professional does a detailed video, very informative, thanks Paul!
Thanks for the nice compliment. I have since stopped wet sand these days. I have a newer video on dry sanding that may interest you. You can find it on my channel. Thanks for watching!
@@lesperanceguitars8381 I only use Super Assilex to dry sand.
So you only sand at the beginning and at the end, then you buff correct?
I sand back the sanding sealer, spray color and clear. Then I final sand and buff after it cures.
I just stated this video and I{m already loving it, thanks for posting!
Enjoy the series! Thanks for watching!
Lovely jig, but man, look after your lungs buddy
Thanks for the tip.
now that's a flawless headstock. Mind if I ask, I'm about to refinish my guitar's headstock, my only concern is the sides of the headstock, any tips on how to get a nice result without having to buff off(at least not too much if must do) the sides? Thanks and Subscribed!
I use frog tape on the sides of the headstock. Tape right to the edge. This tape leaves a clean line with no bleeding. After the clearcoat is safe to slightly touch, I take the tape off. After it is cured, I sand lightly on the corners. I oil finish the sides and back of the necks so there is some fine sanding later. I hope this helps!
so what type of oil and which grit do you recommend?@@lesperanceguitars8381
Love it. What body and neck did you use ? Love the combo.
That is an Artisan body and neck. One of my designs. Thanks for watching!
@@lesperanceguitars8381 Lovely design.😁👍
Nice jig. Is that router bit the one from stewmac? Thanks
Yes, it is! Thanks for watching!