It's coming together! Archtops are my favourite guitar, even though I play a post punk style of music which is definitely not the genre usually associated with this kind of instrument.
Yeah it worked out quite well! The only issue was that because the other side wasn't supported, it would bend the top slightly if you tightened one of the spools too tight, meaning the adjacent ones became loose, so it took some fine tuning. Thanks for watching!
Loving this project! Question with the braces, how come you decided to go solid braces vs the cut flimsy style Gibson did originally? Why would Gibson not have done the solid braces like you did. Seems much more stable to do it that way no?
Definitely, but it actually takes quite a lot of time to fit the braces due to the irregular shape of the arched top. Kerfing the braces makes them bendy until they're glued down, so they conform more easily to the top without having to spend so much time form fitting. But then... they have cuts through them!
Yeah you do see some arch top bridges that have feet and a gap in the middle, but this one was designed to lay flat. If you look at this other L-50 example, you can see what looks to be the original bridge also lay flat across the top. reverb.com/au/item/84700714-1950-gibson-l-50-sunburst
Can change the sound. Epi archtops sometimes have a two foot brodge, with a more delicate sound. Not so useful in chonking out chords pre amplified in a band though.
You clearly need to create a second account which identifies you as a tonewood, so the biometric reader will have no issues letting you log in after a day of sanding.
![1953 Gibson L-50 Restoration [Part 4] - Fitting the pickups](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MJ0hmCqbO-g/mqdefault.jpg)
![1953 Gibson L-50 Restoration [Part 4] - Fitting the pickups](/img/tr.png)
Really nice work. I look forward to seeing the rest and hearing her sing.
It's coming together! Archtops are my favourite guitar, even though I play a post punk style of music which is definitely not the genre usually associated with this kind of instrument.
Hah definitely not, but maybe an archtop with Gold Foils?!
Thanks for watching :)
I love the spool clamp idea. That is the first time seeing that.
Yeah it worked out quite well! The only issue was that because the other side wasn't supported, it would bend the top slightly if you tightened one of the spools too tight, meaning the adjacent ones became loose, so it took some fine tuning.
Thanks for watching!
Knowing the correct time to stop as you do is critical. Looking forward when you button it all up, and play it.
Yeah I totally agree, and only time and intuition can tell you when it's time. I'm still learning!
Very nice resto mod. Its lokking good!
Thanks very much and apologies for the accidental thumbs down!!
Loving this project! Question with the braces, how come you decided to go solid braces vs the cut flimsy style Gibson did originally? Why would Gibson not have done the solid braces like you did. Seems much more stable to do it that way no?
Definitely, but it actually takes quite a lot of time to fit the braces due to the irregular shape of the arched top. Kerfing the braces makes them bendy until they're glued down, so they conform more easily to the top without having to spend so much time form fitting. But then... they have cuts through them!
Because doing kerfling braces is cheaper and faster than gradually shaving a brace until it matches.
I wish i had not looked at the main site, seemed like this guitar finished was there :-(
Sorry... should have added a spoiler alert for that one!
I could be wrong, but I thought the bridge is meant to have a gap in the middle. Potentially to focus the load on the braces?
Yeah you do see some arch top bridges that have feet and a gap in the middle, but this one was designed to lay flat. If you look at this other L-50 example, you can see what looks to be the original bridge also lay flat across the top.
reverb.com/au/item/84700714-1950-gibson-l-50-sunburst
Can change the sound. Epi archtops sometimes have a two foot brodge, with a more delicate sound. Not so useful in chonking out chords pre amplified in a band though.
@@stevehrrn9445 That's interesting!
You clearly need to create a second account which identifies you as a tonewood, so the biometric reader will have no issues letting you log in after a day of sanding.
Or use my toes?...