Last guitar I buy for a while - custom made LP

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:26 pm

I alluded to this in the gear for 2009 thread, but finally I have got my new guitar.
I have been wanting a decent LP for a while - definitely something that suits my current band, and started thinking about it seriously about 9 months ago. Now every LP I have ever played hasn't been quite right...even the Gibsons haven't been worth the Â£1800 I'd have to spend to get a standard lefty...
I've generally been a bit fed up of not being able to buy a guitar off the shelf that makes me think "yes - just right".
So I was speaking with my friend at Mansons and mentioned this, and asked whether he fancied making me a guitar to spec. He's been making guitars a few years, and is Andy Manson's step son, so has got a good teacher!
I've seen his other work and it's been top notch, so we decided to go for it.

Took about 6 months to build as he does it in his spare time, and the result is just amazing. Exactly what I wanted - the sound is just unbelievable. The finishing is perfect and I love it.
As I said this will be the last guitar I buy for a while - has completed my collection and I think that I am utterly content!

It's brazilian mahogany body and neck, rosewood fretboard with an ebony veneer on the headstock. The wood is gorgeous and so resonant when played acoustically. It's a really nice weight - lighter than my Jag in fact, only just...
Finish is a bit of black stain, then oiled. Looking for the guitar to wear naturally quite quickly.
The guitar Headstock is his shape - based on an old 70s Manson one. Gotoh tuners.
Flat top - nicely rounded body edges.
2 vol, 2 tone. Bridge coil split on bridge vol via push pull pot.
Pickups are:
Neck - Bareknuckle Mississippi Queen - HB sized P90.
Bridge - Bareknuckle Nailbomb Humbucker.
Pups are in black "battleworn" covers...this is the only thing I'm not 100% on, but I may just replace them with plain black.

The neck is beautifully shapedand feels very comfortable. I spent an afternoon in the shop trying basically every guitar in there to find the kind of shape I wanted. Ended up being based on a 70s Gibson LP Custom. Nice and thin and round so that it doesn't feel too alien from the Fenders.
12" fretboard radius with dot inlays.
Headstock has a Koi inlay I asked for (matches a tattoo I have, kinda).

Anyway, enough talking - here are some pics. I'm getting photo of the build in the week so I'll post those in the projects section.

Iceybomb:

Am really pleased with it. Even the LP haters would like it if they saw/heard it in the flesh!

Post by **Mike** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:41 pm

What a nightmare.

Only kidding, congrats on your new guitar mate.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 1:45 pm

Haha

Cheers mate.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:02 pm

i love the slightly distressed look of the whole thing, don't change them covers!

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:06 pm

Zaphod wrote:i love the slightly distressed look of the whole thing, don't change them covers!

Cheers! That's exactly the look I was going for

bassintom · Post by **bassintom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:32 pm

That's probably the only LP stylee guitar I would want...

Do you still have the Merc?...
Same taste in guitarsWTF?

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 2:39 pm

Same taste indeed!
I've still got the Merc - yes, doesn't get played all that much, but I still like it and how it's different from all my other guitars.

Johno · Post by **Johno** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 3:31 pm

Very nice, demo?

I bought my first ever dist pedal in Mansons, great shop.

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:34 pm

Not sure if I like the pickup covers.. but the overall design/look is really nice. It must be amazing to have a one of a kind guitar..

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:29 pm

Johno wrote:Very nice, demo?

I bought my first ever dist pedal in Mansons, great shop.

Yeah I'll do a demo soon...can't do video, but will know some samples up. Thanks!

DanHeron wrote:Not sure if I like the pickup covers.. but the overall design/look is really nice. It must be amazing to have a one of a kind guitar..

Cheers. It is great to have this - the best thing was that I was involved and consulted at every stage of the build process so it is exactly what I wanted

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:30 pm

nice guitar lamp, what the Mississippi queen like? keeps thinking of a set of those for my les paul custom.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:33 pm

Progrockabuse wrote:nice guitar lamp, what the Mississippi queen like? keeps thinking of a set of those for my les paul custom.

The MQ is great! I often find neck humbuckers too muddy, so this was a step away from that. It's incredibly warm yet has great clarity and it has that P90 bite to it. I like it a lot, and have only heard good things about them on the BKP forum.

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:52 pm

LOVE the finish! it reminds me of the elvis costello jazzmaster!

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:06 pm

that thing is really cool looking, im not an lp sort of person but that guitar brings some serious respect.
btw, does it have a volute?

Post by **Doog** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:07 pm

Proper classy.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:28 pm

Nice one dude. Great route to go and im surprised more people dont go custom. It looks full of tone, i like the headstock inlay and the whole vibe is quite unique. If Patrick Eggle made a LP i imagine it being like that. Great stuff.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:30 pm

Thanks guys.

robert(original) wrote:that thing is really cool looking, im not an lp sort of person but that guitar brings some serious respect.
btw, does it have a volute?

Yeah it does have a small volute for a bit of extra strength.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 9:06 pm

ok, all respect is lost.
i hate your guitar now.
not really, im a big hater of volutes tho, im not sure why, i just hate them, they usually feel weird and look like a boob on the back of the neck.

damienblair17 · Post by **damienblair17** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:00 pm

Can't say I like the pickup covers, but of course it's your guitar and they do work well with it.

Other than that, pretty sweet.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 10:19 pm

robert(original) wrote:ok, all respect is lost.
i hate your guitar now.
not really, im a big hater of volutes tho, im not sure why, i just hate them, they usually feel weird and look like a boob on the back of the neck.

that's fair enough. It's a pretty subtle one, so I'm ok with it, thankfully