[S Berrian (The_Sentry)]

How do I start? I guess from the beginning.

One of the biggest challenges Gibson has faced since the raid is that they do not have access to ebony or rosewood for their fretboards. So, they have opted for baked maple in its stead. I personally think it looks great!

So why not do an entire model of Les Paul that signifies the status of this right now? (And make it killer along the way!)

Here's the concept:

You take a Raw Power Studio body. These bodies are light, and nothing resonates quite like maple. (here's the specs off of the Gibson webpage)

http://www2.gibson.c...-Raw-Power.aspx

Now, you start with a raw body, and you qualify it as "burnt".

The best way to do that? A vintage sunburst paintjob and a flame maple top.

Of course, since it's a Standard...put an assymetrical neck on it (with what else but a baked maple fretboard), crown inlays, binding, and the electronics which go into a Standard.

You could even sell it as a Studio model. (But binding would look really nice against all of that "burnt" maple.)

PS: I own a Norlin era Les Paul Custom that is comprised of a sandwiched pancake maple body and a maple neck. It's probably the best sounding guitar I own...but it is soooo heavy. I'd LOVE to see something like this come out!

[S Berrian (The_Sentry)]

There is also one added bonus to a guitar like this.

If you are concerned about filling out Lacey Act Declaration paperwork on a guitar, it would be a breeze with this model if all of the components were made with the same genus and species of maple! Just put it on a scale, subtract the estimated weight for the hardware, Measure it length, width and depth and ship it off! No fuss, no mess.....

[J Kimble (FLICKOFLASH)]

How bout raw wood sunburst by wood burning with a torch