How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
- Thread starter LatsMcGee
- Start date
Dr. Vegetable
New member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
Forum member Clint666 posted some nice pictures recently of an RG that he flamed. The results were quite stunning.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=248851
He had a build thread on another forum that shows exactly how crazy difficult and fraught with terror this project was. I am inspired to try this myself, but I'm working up to it by hacking out some easier projects first.
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/setup-mods-and-repair/ibanez-rg570-project/
I am sure Clint can give you some good advice.
Forum member Clint666 posted some nice pictures recently of an RG that he flamed. The results were quite stunning.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=248851
He had a build thread on another forum that shows exactly how crazy difficult and fraught with terror this project was. I am inspired to try this myself, but I'm working up to it by hacking out some easier projects first.
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/setup-mods-and-repair/ibanez-rg570-project/
I am sure Clint can give you some good advice.
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
If you've got the tools and the gumption, I say go for it.
Another option may be to put down a veneer.
IMO, less fraught with difficulty and you don't have to plane a 1/4" off the top of your guitar.
I can tell you, after having worked with spalted maple, it's a bear and a half, so make sure you practice first.
Depending on the type of maple and the amount and depth of the spalting, these visually interesting areas tend to become structurally weak points.
So if you've got to bend it, there *will* be issues to deal with.
Good luck!
If you've got the tools and the gumption, I say go for it.
Another option may be to put down a veneer.
IMO, less fraught with difficulty and you don't have to plane a 1/4" off the top of your guitar.
I can tell you, after having worked with spalted maple, it's a bear and a half, so make sure you practice first.
Depending on the type of maple and the amount and depth of the spalting, these visually interesting areas tend to become structurally weak points.
So if you've got to bend it, there *will* be issues to deal with.
Good luck!
Lewguitar
New member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
Be aware that a cap would raise the ht. of everything mounted to the body. Including the bridge and tailpiece. Might raise your action too high for you to be able to lower it again. Or not...all depends I guess.
Seems like a really big undertaking unless you've really got the talent, skills, experience and tools.
Be aware that a cap would raise the ht. of everything mounted to the body. Including the bridge and tailpiece. Might raise your action too high for you to be able to lower it again. Or not...all depends I guess.
Seems like a really big undertaking unless you've really got the talent, skills, experience and tools.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
a thin veneer would be the ticket
I saw somewhere online where you could get
flamed / quilted / or spalted
but i cant remember where
wet it applies like wallpaper
I would like to use the comics from a Sunday paper
to laminate a body at some point
a thin veneer would be the ticket
I saw somewhere online where you could get
flamed / quilted / or spalted
but i cant remember where
wet it applies like wallpaper
I would like to use the comics from a Sunday paper
to laminate a body at some point
Dr. Vegetable
New member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
What fun would that be? If you're gonna end up buying a new body anyway, why no hop that puppy in a planer and go for it?
:firedevil
IMO, If you need to ask how hard it is, buy a new body.
What fun would that be? If you're gonna end up buying a new body anyway, why no hop that puppy in a planer and go for it?
:firedevil
JOLLY
Super Simonologist
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
I bought this for $20 online. The veneer was only $7, but the shipping was freakin $13. It's the veneer you see plus another one beneath it. It's plenty to cover a guitar with.
Dr.K
Formerly Active Member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
I guess I'm just not the type of guy that calls hard work fun. lol
But, you are right.
I guess I'm just not the type of guy that calls hard work fun. lol
But, you are right.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
killer flame
do you plan on natural/clear
or some sort of burst?
love to see how that turns out
going on one of your LP's?
I bought this for $20 online. The veneer was only $7, but the shipping was freakin $13. It's the veneer you see plus another one beneath it. It's plenty to cover a guitar with.
killer flame
do you plan on natural/clear
or some sort of burst?
love to see how that turns out
going on one of your LP's?
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
I've had no luck finding some quality flame/quilt maple veneer that wasn't an arm & a leg expensive.
I've been meaning to ask, where'd you get that from?
I've had no luck finding some quality flame/quilt maple veneer that wasn't an arm & a leg expensive.
zenmindbeginner
New member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
Veneering is an art in itself... It is much easier to plane down a body 1/4", slap down a roughcut 1/4" top and shape the top than it is to get two pieces of veneer bookmatched properly, getting the veneer clamped or weighted down without "creep" and cutting and shaping the veneer without ripping or tearing the edges.
Veneering is a b***h.
Veneering is an art in itself... It is much easier to plane down a body 1/4", slap down a roughcut 1/4" top and shape the top than it is to get two pieces of veneer bookmatched properly, getting the veneer clamped or weighted down without "creep" and cutting and shaping the veneer without ripping or tearing the edges.
Veneering is a b***h.
Ayrton
New member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
This...
Working with veneer is much harder than it looks to get professional results.
This...
Working with veneer is much harder than it looks to get professional results.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
OK, so here's what you do:
1) plane 1/4" of your guitar's top off
2) glue 1/4" of maple to the guitar's top
3) use a flush trim router bit to trim the maple to the exact shape of the body
4) sand
5) sand
6) measure and drill / route for hardware as needed
7) seal / paint / finish
8) success!
disclaimer: not from experience, internet nerds are not a substitute for a real luthier, etc.
OK, so here's what you do:
1) plane 1/4" of your guitar's top off
2) glue 1/4" of maple to the guitar's top
3) use a flush trim router bit to trim the maple to the exact shape of the body
4) sand
5) sand
6) measure and drill / route for hardware as needed
7) seal / paint / finish
8) success!
disclaimer: not from experience, internet nerds are not a substitute for a real luthier, etc.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
If you are up for learning some new things, this is very feasible.
Tools you'll need will be clamps, glue, drill bits, a router, and one router bit. Oh, and a planer. That's the long pole in the tent. Expensive to buy, hard to set up. If you can find somebody with a planer who can do that 1/4" for you, that would really make this feasible.
If you are up for learning some new things, this is very feasible.
Tools you'll need will be clamps, glue, drill bits, a router, and one router bit. Oh, and a planer. That's the long pole in the tent. Expensive to buy, hard to set up. If you can find somebody with a planer who can do that 1/4" for you, that would really make this feasible.
MojoMonster
Active member
Re: How difficult of a process is it to add a maple cap....
They're no longer made, however.
The alternative would be to make a box out of 2 x 4s and a sled/rail-style base for the router, secure the body, and just use a flat-bottom bit to route off the top 1/4".
I've seen guys at MLP make something similar to cut the angled neck pocket and top plane.
Yea, that would actually work and no planer necessary.
If you do find a planer, make sure the guitar is secured to a cheater board when you run it through.
Don't just stand there Lats... get to luthiering, man!
If he can find a Saf-T-Planer it could be done on a drill press.
They're no longer made, however.
The alternative would be to make a box out of 2 x 4s and a sled/rail-style base for the router, secure the body, and just use a flat-bottom bit to route off the top 1/4".
I've seen guys at MLP make something similar to cut the angled neck pocket and top plane.
Yea, that would actually work and no planer necessary.
If you do find a planer, make sure the guitar is secured to a cheater board when you run it through.
Don't just stand there Lats... get to luthiering, man!
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