The guitar started life as an Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top (59?), but had been absolutely destroyed by it's previous owner who had sanded it back, managing to go through the top(!), filled a bang on the back with wood filler and broken the headstock off. In addition, he decided to butcher the poor girl and made a crap attempt at the head.
Here's before (with my temporary tail, bridge and pups in place):
Part way, showing the routing I had to do on the head/neck and the filler piece attached (plus the section that also snapped off during the build -at least I saw the truss rod...Ouch
-and had to be re-glued - red circle):
The body after I painted it and sanded/ buffed her (far, far better in the flesh, the flame is 3D.!!!):
Vintage correct '59 wiring harness:
And finally, "Pearly Tates" is alive and well again (scuse the mucky finger prints):
All the gear is nickel, reliced and to vintage standard (http://www.fake58.co.uk), with the pups a set of thirty year old Gibson Tim Shaw double white (rare) PAFS with aged repro covers that were checked and sorted by Shed Pickups (http://www.shedpickups.com).
She plays incredibly well, has tons of sustain, is amazingly resonant and has tone by the bucket.
She is my tribute to Pearly Gates, Billy Gibbons' long time '59 burst and I love her.....
Cheers,
Peace.
