Gibson '57 Futura Build

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
Post Reply
User avatar
countertext
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 4142
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:25 pm
Location: Tacoma

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by countertext » Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:19 pm

Perry wrote:and also the string slots in the saddles were barely there. I think this is somewhat common for Gotoh bridges. I did have trouble keeping the strings in what slots were there before taking the photo.
Both TOM-type Gibsons I've owned have had factory saddle slots that were not really related to the centerlines of the saddles themselves. The bridges and tailpieces were all obviously installed "within certain tolerances" and then the slots were filed to line the strings up with polepieces/neck edges. I've assumed for years that all Gibson-type bridges were adjusted this way in the initial setup, but that is merely an assumption.

User avatar
Perry
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 325
Joined: Sat May 01, 2010 5:24 am

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by Perry » Thu Dec 15, 2011 8:06 pm

This is good to know. Thank you for the information.

User avatar
Perry
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 325
Joined: Sat May 01, 2010 5:24 am

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by Perry » Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:39 pm

It's been some time since my last update on the Futura build. I've been working on it and trying to make some important decisions about the build. One decision I've basically settled upon is to leave the finish the way it is--a nice flat black. I do plan to use a very high grit cloth to knock off some of the fuzz on the finish. After a lot of consideration, I decided I like the flat black look. In addition, the finish doesn't smudge easily.

I've also been working on the string tree for the fifth through second strings. The tree below is made from ebony and sanded to about 240 grit. I'll sand it up to 600 or 800 grit and then polish it. I used ball ends of strings to put into each of the four holes . The string tree will be screwed into the headstock with three long screws. I haven't decided yet to countersink the tops or not.

In the photo below, the bottom of the string tree doesn't look flat but it is. (There's a shadow under the left side of the tree.)

Image

This is how the tree will look on the headstock. I may shorten the tree a little. This is one of two positions I'm thinking about. The other position would be located between the first and sixth string tuners.

Image

User avatar
eskmsaul
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 830
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:20 pm
Location: Irvine

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by eskmsaul » Thu Jan 19, 2012 12:41 pm

It's been a while since I last saw an update. Great work!

fernandobocadillos
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2019 3:42 am

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by fernandobocadillos » Tue Mar 12, 2019 10:49 pm

Hi, do you have a template or a tracing photo or pdf for the Futura you are building? Id love to meke myself one for me.
Hope you can help me. Cheers from Buenos Aires

User avatar
Shadoweclipse13
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 12435
Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:22 pm
Location: Stuck in the dimension of imagination

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Tue Mar 12, 2019 11:57 pm

Don't know how I missed this thing. Your Futura is really epic Perry!! I'd love to see some finished pictures.
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384

User avatar
Fiddy
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 12391
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 11:38 am
Location: Canada Dry

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by Fiddy » Wed Mar 13, 2019 4:14 am

Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Tue Mar 12, 2019 11:57 pm
Don't know how I missed this thing.

Most likely because this thread was around 3 years before you joined.. :P

User avatar
Shadoweclipse13
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 12435
Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:22 pm
Location: Stuck in the dimension of imagination

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Wed Mar 13, 2019 7:08 pm

tribi9 wrote:
Wed Mar 13, 2019 4:14 am
Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Tue Mar 12, 2019 11:57 pm
Don't know how I missed this thing.

Most likely because this thread was around 3 years before you joined.. :P
Valid point except for the fact that when there's nothing new going on, I'll actually go through old threads looking for cool stuff and information ;D
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384

fernandobocadillos
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2019 3:42 am

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by fernandobocadillos » Sat Jun 08, 2019 1:23 am

Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Tue Mar 12, 2019 11:57 pm
Don't know how I missed this thing. Your Futura is really epic Perry!! I'd love to see some finished pictures.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE THE GIBSON FUTURA TEMPLATE/ TRACING SCHEME? I WANNA BUILD ONE AND CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE... :( HELP ME!!! :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

User avatar
BTL
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1450
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:24 pm
Contact:

Re: Gibson '57 Futura Build

Post by BTL » Sat Jun 08, 2019 5:23 am

I believe Mike Potvin offeres a template set, but I don't see it on his site, so you will probably need to contact him directly.

https://store.potvinguitars.com/
Owner, Lowe Custom Guitars

Post Reply