Buddy Holly Project

[Howard Klepper]

First one rubbed out and buffed:

[Jimmy Caldwell]

Beautiful work, Howard. Isn't it fun recreating old classics?

[XYRN]

Wow!!! Don't know how I missed this build until now, but man, amazing work!
What an honor!
Can't wait to see the finished pieces!

-K

[Leftyprs]

That finish came out beautifully Howard!!! Very nice work!

[Wade Hampton]

Looking great, Howard. I have to stop looking at pictures of other guitars you've built, since it makes me want to get another one! My walnut Klepper KJ is sounding terrific, though, so I really do have my hands full (both literally and metaphorically) with this one...


Wade Hampton Miller

[rcolosi]

That is, simply put, exceptional work, Howard. ..monumentally impressive. "Monumentally" may not be a word, but it's hard to find them when I see what you've done with this project.

[Glennwillow]

It's great to come back to this thread to see how much has happened. Wow! Love the look of the finished guitars, and I got a kick out of your hanging out with Vince Gill, too. It must be wonderful to hear someone of his ability playing your guitars. And more of that will be happening soon...

What fun!
- Glenn

[Pat Foster]

Awe-some Howard, in the old sense of the word. It looks so *RIGHT*. The logo too.

Pat

[drive-south]

Only a Klepper is Good enough!

Beautiful guitar Howard. I wish I was on the short list of people that will get to play her.

[Howard Klepper]

I haven't posted in a while on this thread.

I found out that the leather covers for these won't be finished until mid-to-late February, so I can't ship until then. And of course, work expands to fill the time allotted, so I went to some other projects. But the first of the "Buddies" is all done, complete with a K&K Onboard Trinity system. The other is getting a bit of touchup on the heelcap (or the surface where there would be a heelcap if these had them). It should be done in a few more days.

I have been taking photos, though, and tonight got around to processing some.

In this one I have glued in the neck and glued on the bridge. I'm confirming that the neck angle is right before doing the saddle. I always rout for the saddle after the neck and bridge are on the body, so I can be sure of getting the intonation right.



This is a look at the plaque that John Thomas designed and had made for these guitars. On it is half of a fret from Buddy's own guitar (since the two guitars I'm making will stay together as a pair and always be loaned to couples, they each got half a fret). I'll admit to getting a bit of chickenskin running my fingers over a fret that Buddy played.



I made my own version of a firestrip pickguard from epoxy resins. The original material is unavailable, and I'm not happy with the modern version used by Gibson. Buddy's guitar had the "reverse" firestripe. The bridge has its saddle and pearl dots (but I didn't put bolts under them).



Pickup system installed and strung up. I'm quite pleased with the sound--very much like a good 40s's to early 50's J-45. And the K&K system is great; very natural sounding. No, I don't have sound clips. I'm not yet set up to make them myself.

[mesa]

Howard, your talent is beginning to scare me! Amazing workmanship...congrats again!

[joe white]

Great work Howard. I was hoping you would be posting more on these.

[Howard Klepper]

And the second of the "Not Fade Away" pair is done. I'm still waiting for the leather covers; I'll post again when those are on them.

[mesa]

Howard, your an amazing human being! What happens now with the guitars?

[cpabolting]

That is just killer.... Howard Klepper makes such amazing guitars. His artistry and craftsmanship is unreal.