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InspirationÂ
After the previous Z guitar #208, inspired by the one-pickup Gibson Les Paul Junior, the logical follow up is to create a two-pickup version, inspired by the Gibson Les Paul Special from the 50s. You should realize that there have been many modern versions of this guitar made by Gibson and others, which are Not correct in their design. The neck joint area has to have that body overhang for it to be correct. Of course there are only a very few educated enthusiasts who would even know these details and actually care. My goal is to recreate the original in shape and details, other than applying the Zachary updates. The shape of the Zachary LP style models offer the exact vintage body shape and thickness. The same neck to body connection point, the same scale length, the same hardware, same pickups, etc. as found on the original 50s Gibson.
This guitar was also inspired by the late 50s futuristic Gibson models, the Gibson Flying V and Explorer, which were made from Korina wood and with Gold hardware. This is the look and vibe I was after. In fact, I was looking at an old Vintage Guitar Magazine article, which featured these Gibson futuristic guitars and I found the wear and patina of the beat up Flying V and Explorer irresistibly attractive. By antiquing this guitar I wanted to reproduce that whole psychological effect for the player. This is something that these current CNC-made, plastic-dipped, sterile, synthetic, guitar-looking-objects will never offer you. This is the reason they are ultimately rejected by the player psychologically and viscerally, as not being very inviting or gratifying to play. Perfection and precision in the wrong areas are detrimental to a musical instrument.
To stay with the original Gibson vibe the headstock plate is real black wood veneer, not simply painted on. The pickups are Zachary Hand Wound P90 vintage clones and perfectly matched to each other in power output. The bridge is an Aluminum wrap-around unit, to enhance tone and cut down on weight. The pickguard is the original shape and the knobs are the original style, as are the tuners. Some hack builder or player would put modern tuners on such a guitar and instantly destroy the whole historic vibe of the instrument.
The finish is very thin real Nitrocellulose Lacquer and along with the finish, every single part of this guitar has been aged and reliced.
I did add the tummy contour in the back, in order to increase the comfort factor.Â
