The Highline Single Cut Plan Is Now Available!

If you've always wanted to try your hand at a single cut, carved top electric guitar project, now you can. The design was inspired by the classic shape of a Les Paul, but with a tweak or two to make it unique. The cool thing is you can build it either as a flat top, or if you feel ready for the challenge, a carve top. The side view in the plan shows the carve top's profile, but you'll need some woodworking skills to generate the shape. A while back I posted an article here that explains how I make a carve top. Another cool feature is the wiring schematic. It's based around a master push/pull pot that's wired to coil tap both humbuckers.

As I write this post, I'm spraying my own version of the Highline Single Cut with multiple coats of clear lacquer. So far, it's looking pretty badass! Check out my tumblr blog for Highline Handmade Electric Guitars and Pickups for my progress on this build so far. And yes, it will be for sale once it's finished! ;-)

Coming Soon: The Highline Single Cut

While waiting for my water based lacquer for the Highline Legato to arrive from Target Coatings, I've started the planning phase for the next electric guitar design, which will be named the Highline Single Cut. This guitar was inspired by the Les Paul design, but with several alterations to the legendary guitar's shape.

As you can see in the sketch, the lower horn will be shaped a little differently to reflect my own personal taste. The top of the body will also be carved, but much less so than a Les Paul. My goal is a lighter body without sacrificing the tone you get from a slab of Honduran Mahogany. I haven't decided on a top wood yet, however you can be sure it will be something special.

The headstock will feature my Highline trademark shape and I plan to inlay the logo in Mother of Pearl. I'm not sure yet what I'll do for the markers, but a cool MOP shape is likely.

Of course I'll wind my own pickups for this bad boy and I'm thinking they'll be a touch hotter than a vintage style approach. I love the way Alnico IV magnets sound so that may be what I'll use.

Keep in mind this design is still rough, so it could and probably will change along the way. Stay tuned!