I Redesigned the Les Paul, lets build it! | Guitar Design Top Tips
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2024
- Redesigning the Gibson Les Paul is something I have been working on for a long time! I finally have a new guitar design that I love. My plan for this guitar was not only to revise and update the shape to a new flavour of singlecut but also to address the ergonomic issues I have with the standard Les Paul. Among other things they are weight, upper fretboard access, TOM bridge, body thickness & switch position.
This video includes my general thoughts on guitar design and crafting a unique guitar shape as well as some of my top tips for those that are designing their first guitar. I make reference to a number of things in this video and the links are all below:
Ml soundlabs video: • Pickup Placement - Gui...
Inkscape: inkscape.org
Guitaristas video: • Which SG Special Would...
This guitar, as well as everything I build is available for sale. Please see my about page for contact details.
0:00 Guitar Design & Wood choices
2:30 Guitar Scale Length
5:50 Guitar pickup placement
12:00 Guitar construction methods
16:00 Guitar body design aesthetics
24:45 Thoughts on the final completed guitar
#guitardesign #guitardesigntips #lespaulguitar
My Links
My CZcams Partner channel: @SweetTGuitars
Website
If you would like to know more about the guitars I build you can visit my website here: www.tornelliguitars.com/
Instagram
I post progress of my guitar builds, things that people may find useful and anything guitar related that entertaining here:
/ tornelli_guitars
Where i get my Luthiery supplies:
tlcguitargoods.com/en/
I love building guitars! Join me as I build original design electric guitars and share my guitar building tips and tricks. On this channel you will get full guitar building series and detailed 'How To' videos describing the step by step process for some of the trickiest parts of building guitars.
My guitar builds cover everything from designing, wood choices, shaping guitar necks & bodies, installing truss rods, neck carving, guitar fretting, guitar binding, installing guitar pickups & electronics, guitar set ups, dyeing and colouring, finishing & polishing guitars.
I build original and reimagined versions of classic guitars. Everything I make is for sale and I also like to make videos of my guitar builds to show customers how their instruments are made. Its also a great way of making friends within the guitar building community!
#newguitardesigns #newguitardesigns2022 #newguitars2022 #tornelliguitars #guitarbuild #guitarbuilding #luthiery - Jak na to + styl
As a near novice guitar builder, I really appreciate the advice and being able to see the build process using affordable tools. The guitar is stunning too!
@@jeremyanson8795 Thanks for taking the time to leave such a kind comment, I really appreciate it!👍
What a video brother. The best I've seen from you and one of the best videos in our world from anyone! Killer brother.
Wow that’s high praise coming from you my friend, thank you! I’m looking forward to our next vid 😀👍
What Todd said, plus the video in itself is a work of art - it's the perfect blend of relaxing craftmanship and useful information for people not that far into building. Love it.
And of course, the guitar's design is impeccable. Personally I'm not into stacked heels, but this thing looks like a masterpiece already. I go really hard on my own designs in terms of balance and boy do I know it's hard to come up with such a beautiful, unique design.
(Now that I read Todd's comment again, I realize that he actually said exactly that 😄 Never mind, it's still true.)
"Really Interesting Sound Holes" should be your new slogan!
Very nice. Great wood choices.
It gives me PRS Starla vibes.
I like the tip on using tape to mark your carve lines rather than just pencil. I've parked that idea as something I need to remember.
Thanks for the kind comment, I really appreciate it. I’m glad the tip was helpful!👍
This video is very well produced. No distraction, very good transition. Loved it.
Nice video. I'm thinking of getting in the guitar building business myself, so much appreciated information here. The Shapoe of the guitar remindes me a lot of Relish, who unfortunately out of business now.
Stunning looking guitar. That fretboard is beautiful. You have done for the Les Paul style what Todd has with the Tele. Both builds are just stupendous. What is great is that you and Todd are so far apart but, thanks to this high tech world so close. You make a great team.
Thanks Cliff, you’re always very kind and supportive, I know both Todd and I appreciate your support very much 👍
I really enjoyed the discussion here. Not enough people go so in-depth about their design process and decisions. I said this on a recent GBC podcast, but I enjoy the design and engineering side just as much as the actual build process.
I've been struggling with an offset design for a while, not quite happy with a few aspects of it. Your tip about making the outermost points of the sides equidistant to the CL was really useful. It was only off by a few mm from 1 side to the other but it's made a noticeable difference. I also thickened the waist a bit and that has improved it as well. I think I need to go a bit further with that, but much closer now. So thanks for the timely tips!
I totally agree with what you said about making a template. I design almost entirely in CAD. Its very easy to loose a sense of scale and perspective in CAD. But when you see it in the real world, it's much easier to identify where there are issues. Personally I do a bunch of iterations that I print out 1:1 and cut out of cheap 3mm hardboard. I obviously don't use those for router templates, just for testing the shape. I also make the neck and attach the 2 to get an even better feel for it.
I love the shape you came up with. Looks awesome. I also enjoyed hearing your thoughts.
I'm currently in the preparation of my first guitar build. I've pretty much got all the parts and will start next week or so with the build.
I'm a fairly beginner guitar player but I was thinking of building my own guitar for years. It'll be also a Les Paul style guitar in general but with some changes that I thought would make it a unique guitar.
Thank you for your video and I'll try to incorporate as much of the advice you've given into my build.
Just when I thought all of your guitar builds were the best on line, you bring out a better one,!! Will watch this again later ,really cool. Nice one!
Wow what a great comment, thank you Paul! 👍
I love the design!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
nice design. i like it. i also like that you've gone into the reasons for one way or another and the scale length talk is making me think about going from a Fender style 25.5" to maybe a 25".
Thanks I’m glad that kind of info is useful. And yes it’s definitely worth trying out a few scale lengths to see what you’re really at home with!👍
Love the shape you've come up with and the hardware you've chosen.
Great video Gio, I love the explanations as you go along as it helps the novice benefit from your experience. The reimagined design is very crisp and modern. It will look great with the finish on.
Thanks Tim, I really appreciate the feedback on the design and the support!👍
Great video Gio!! Love, love the wood you chose for this great project. Can’t wait to see it finished🎉🎉
Great video Gio. Really nice looking guitar.
Awesome Gio, love the design and the wood choice is top drawer as usual!
Well presented with loads of things to get a builder started on the road to sawdust. Nice one.
Thanks Cal, I really appreciate the compliment and support!👍
Excellent inspiration and design ideas for my build. Thanks!😃
Very, very cool Gio. Really like this chat as you build format and find it very useful. As you know, I love your approach and your approach to the aesthetic. I’m looking forward to the day I feel I can justify using pretty woods myself 😂Cool interpretation of a LP, similar carves to your RI SG. Really looking forward to seeing this finished.
Thanks Jamie, for the compliments on the guitar and the feedback on the format! Both are really appreciated my friend!👍
Man, I am currently learning to build guitars and your love for this really made my day, just that little smile that you got when talking about carving and shaping the body is exactly the way I'm feeling right now, even though I'm just at the beginning of the journey, you got a new subscriber in me :)
Aside from skills which most have and develop, you have a peaceful voice and smiling face!! So calm and relaxing to watch your videos!!!
The grain pattern on the fretboard is stunning. Absolutely beautiful. And the shape of the body is really perfect. Fantastic work.
Absolutely stunning
Thanks Laurel, I appreciate the support!👍
Well done. The quality of the design hits you immediately. The hours it takes, on paper, to get the whole design to work is always underestimated. Again, well done
Finally manage ti watch the video! Super nice design. It really look like a les Paul, but with a modern spin. Love It! Also very interesting discussion overall!
Love that reimagined Body design!! Gio, your guitars are works of art.
You’re always very kind my friend, thanks once again!👍
Really like the design Gio! can't wait to see the finish - Cheers from Canada
Cheers Dan and thank you for another kind comment!👍
Thank you for sharing with us all of your experiences!!! As always video is on point !! :)
Thanks for the support and kind comment!👍
Hi Gio , realy love this design and choice of woods it's going to look fabulous , it's always a treat to watch you work , thank you very much
Thanks my friend, the feedback on the design is really appreciated as is your continued support!👍
Very delicate work, as always…
Thank you my friend, I appreciate all the kind comments that you leave!👍
Another great guitar and a fantastic video Gio, you and Todd are knocking out some beauties 👍
Thanks Barry, I appreciate all the kind comments!👍
Tornelli Guitars = Exquisite Elegance
What can I say? Thank you for such a kind comment 👍
What a great video, the guitar looks phenomenal! I'm really liking that body design, it looks killer.
That’s so kind, thank you, I really appreciate the feedback on the design 👍
Designing a modern classic is impossible and you just nailed it! Watching both you and Todd shows me where I need to slow down and be patient... where I need to spend more time designing and thinking things through. With you guys, good enough is not an option. Great choice of woods Gio. Thanks.
Wow what a great comment, thanks Spike, I always look forward to your comments and thoughts 👍
Relish guitar nailed it.
Beautiful guitar and work!
Thanks Pete, I really appreciate that you always leave such kind comments!👍
I love your guitar design !!
Thanks for the kind comment, I really appreciate the feedback on the design.👍
Brilliant: informative and inspiring.
Wow thank you for the wonderful comment!👍
What a great looking guitar. And a super interesting look at your thought process!
Thanks for the kind comment, I really appreciate it!👍
That's shaping up to be a great reimagining of a Les Paul, I love the idea of a top and back. A lovely video Gio, there's something about the tone and pace of these that are almost zen like. A mug of tea and a Tornelli video. A good start to the weekend!
😂 thanks Owen, I appreciate you watching my friend. Good luck with the rest of the Tele build!👍
Brilliant video Gio
Thanks Graham, I really appreciate the support!👍
VERY NICE WORK, THE GUITAR IS LOOKING LIKE AN INSTANT CLASSIC !!! NEW SUB FOR YOU...THUMBS UP BROTHER !
I like that your videos are succinct. Being a builder, I tend to shy away from multi-multi-multi part build videos.
I saw some very clever processing ideas I'm going to borrow.
I'm building five guitars simultaneously at the moment, which will be for sale in early summer under a brand name to be announced soon.
Very invigorating to watch a builder with whom I share some design and construction philosophies, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Looking forward to the final reveal. Well done.
Thank you, yes I’m the same, I like to have a good amount of progress in a video before I release it because I figure people are interested in seeing something come together quickly. Thanks for leaving such a kind comment!👍
I believe Gibson used this design years ago, and under another name. They're starting to make a comeback, too.
That’s interesting I wasn’t aware of that, I have seen this type of design done by some smaller companies in recent years and I love it, I wanted to do something along these lines for a while now. Thanks for watching !👍
Congratulation, you made a beautiful version of this one-man well too mass produce Springer Guitar. You should contact your fellow luthier colleague to let him know that you redesign his work.
Absolutely love everything you’ve done so far Gio ❤️ The fret board, body shape, body carving & can’t wait till see colour on the guitar 🧐❤️
I’m a big Slash fan, what are the specs on his Les Paul?
Ratio
Frets
Pick ups
Neck radius’s
Humbuckers positions?
dang that thing is pretty already!
Nice one, but is more like a Springer a Jvguitars à Soultool design from today, than a lespaul. It’s nice. Like it.
The good news is, that if you simply can't decide which scale length to choose, you may get the long one, then put a capo on the first fret. Presto. "Total transformation" of the sound qualities guaranteed. Supposedly...
Reminds me of Brad Angove's GGBO guitar. 👍
Thanks!👍
Man, I love that design!!! Are you thinking about adding color on the sides of the Okaume (sp?), just to separate the matching back/top?
Thanks Eric I really appreciate the feedback on the design! As soon as a finish goes on the two woods go very different colours and there will be a really clean contrast between the two so I won’t need any colour just the magic of how woods transform under finish!😀👍
Very good Job. Subcribed 💻👍
In my honest opinion, the one major flaw in the original design of the Les Paul is the way the strings splay-out over the nut, with the splaying of the D and G strings being the worst offenders, making it very hard to keep those strings in tune, the other flaw in the design is the bridge itself, I have found that every guitar I have owned that's based on the Les Paul or SG, the bridge itself never has enough adjustment range on the A and D string saddles, and those two saddles always end up hard up against the bridge pickup side of the bridge, I've always had problems with getting the intonation set right on Gibson style guitars, it's about time someone re-designed the Les Paul to address the flaws in the original design.
Anyone else getting Relish Guitars vibes from the body shape?
Springer.
I'm gonna be "that guy", so sorry in advance. Scale legth does not have the affect on sound that you think it does. There is a reason that the bass instruments like a Bass, double Bass, extended range guitars, etc, have longer scale lengths. The reason 24.25 scale sounds warmer compared to a 25.5 scale is purely to do with relative hand placement - the equivalent to picking either nearer the centre of the neck or nearer the pickups. A shorter scale will have the passive effect of your hand naturally being closer to the neck - thus a warmer tone. There is nothing inherantly "warmer" about a shorter scale. Correctly learning differnt picking hand placement will yeald any tone you wish to achieve. Bang on about the pick up placement though.
Man it’s nice but it is strikingly similar to a Sozo Z8SC guitar. They have made that model for years.
Calling that a redesign of the Les Paul is far too much of a stretch. It's just another singlecut. One of many reinvented wheels. I've taken a stab at doing that myself, and stayed closer to the desirable aesthetics of the original Les Paul design while improving comfort and ergonomics. Adding a belly cut and slimming the neck and body tenon area goes a long way toward making it much more comfortable. Plus a standard Les Paul body is just too thick and bulky. I START by taking about a centimeter off the standard thickness.
I’m guessing you didn’t watch the full video or my previous video about solving the ergonomic issues of the Les Paul while keeping the voice of the Les Paul. Thanks for your thoughts anyway.
@@TornelliGuitars I've been repairing and building guitars since 1985. I've seen it all. So many people trying desperately to convince themselves that their particular take on the guitar is new and different and innovative and is a real game changer. So few actually are doing more than making decent, playable instruments while stroking their own egos in the process. I'm not going to reinvent the guitar in any meaningful way, and don't try. What I do try, is to deliver generally conventional designs with the absolkute ultimate level of skill I have to offer. Max quality, fit, and finish.
@@Turboy65 OK, I'm sorry, but you're WAY off the mark Turboy65! I reinvention, by definition, only has to have a singular minute change, and then it's a reinvention, not a copy. For somebody talking about stroking the ego, you sure did a good job of that for yourself by touting your years of experience and "stuck" in your ways. This is how EVERY great guitar builder starts building their brand and image. If you don't like it, then don't watch!
No need to "re-imagine" No need to mess with success!
It would be better to just call it by your unique name if you had come up with one. Riding on Lester is a cheap shot. Closer to Paul Reed Smith anyway. The appreciation you would get from me would be on a whole different - higher - level without you trying to link it to Les Paul.
You did not invent that shape, this is based on Relish guitar design, the only difference is the lower horn being a bit longer, otherwise this is a carbon copy, and it is not at random that you publish that few weeks after Relish went out of business.
Nice work sure, not your design...
I did say at the start of the vid that I’d seen quite a few guitars with that shape and arrangement on the horn that I love and wanted to use and refine it and not just the relish either. We’re all making variations on a theme at this point (ever since the Tele) and I think it’s a little unfair to call this a carbon copy, I’ve studied every guitar out there that I can find for things I like and elements I want to incorporate into the things I do. Everything I make could be argued is similar to something else because I don’t build wildly different shapes. I also didn’t know relish went out of business, it’s sad that any small manufacturer goes out of business these days. I thank you for your thoughts anyway.
Based on that answer, you cant claim that you redesigned the les paul then, neither that it is an original design, that title is misleading. It would be more honest to say that you have made your own variation based on a compilation of other design.
Whatever, I dont like people claiming they create something when that is plainly not true, that is disonest and wrong.
Great at what you do, hate the look, be great if you called it anything. But you wanted to think anyone could improve the look of a led Paul. You're not a real Rockstar unless you have a Les Paul in your arsenal. There's a reason for that the look of Les Paul says Rockstar.
Remarkably beautiful!!!!!
Thank you! I really appreciate the support 👍
In my honest opinion, the one major flaw in the original design of the Les Paul is the way the strings splay-out over the nut, with the splaying of the D and G strings being the worst offenders, making it very hard to keep those strings in tune, the other flaw in the design is the bridge itself, I have found that every guitar I have owned that's based on the Les Paul or SG, the bridge itself never has enough adjustment range on the A and D string saddles, and those two saddles always end up hard up against the bridge pickup side of the bridge, I've always had problems with getting the intonation set right on Gibson style guitars, it's about time someone re-designed the Les Paul to address the flaws in the original design.