Guitar by Nelson

Body - One-piece Western Quilted Maple
Neck - 5 piece laminate (Flame Maple, Birdseye Maple and Indian rosewood)
Fingerboard - Figured Maple w/ Rosewood and Maple binding, MOP strip inlay
Peghead face - Quilted Maple w/ rosewood trim, Abalone truss rod cover
Mounting rings - Indian Rosewood
Finish - Nitrocellulose
Pickups - Bill Lawrence HB 58
Bridge - Schecter tunamatic
Tailpiece - Stars Guitars
Tuners - Sperzel Locking 4 + 2
Nut - brass
Scale length - 24.625
Frets - 24

This is modeled (obviously) after a '62 Les Paul (aka forerunner of the Gibson SG) with a few liberties taken. Originally I was making this for myself, but a good friend, Todd Nathan, took an interest in it so it was finished for him. The core of its tonality is a single piece of Western Quilted Maple chosen for the body. The best selections of this variety have characteristics that nicely combine the warm mids of Honduras Mahogany with the crisp definition you expect from Maple with the slight airy and open qualities of a nice light piece of Southern Ash. It's also noticeably lighter than Eastern Maple. It's a challenge to find that quality of piece, especially for a one-piece body, but this one delivered the goods. The nut, bridge and tailpiece are all solid brass and on this instrument it works well because the wood is lively and open in character. It just helps to add a bit of extra focus to the mix. I also decided to add a 23rd and 24th fret position, normally left off a '62, while keeping the same hardware and pickup layout. I also moved the switches and knobs for personal preference. Fairly traditional based construction, but with increased emphasis on top quality woods and hardware. And personally, I just feel more inspired when I'm playing an instrument with figuring as evocative as this!