[BigM555]

Hey All,

My Pop had an old Mann LP copy sitting in the corner of his shop getting all manner of crap piled on it. I've been GAS'ing for a project guitar and this one was in serious need of some love so I figured what the heck and I brought it home.

The back of the lower bout needs some serious filling and re-finishing. After stripping all the hardware off of it so I can get a decent crack at the finish I've noted something I hadn't really expected (this will show my noobness). While this is supposed to be an LP copy, as expected, it has a "carved" (arched) top. What seemed odd to me is that the top consists of about a 1/4" laminate over plywood. The plywood was obviously routed before the top was put on and they left big gaps (1/4" or better) between the top of the plywood and the bottom of the laminate top.

Now, I realize this is a cheap piece of crap plywood body. But I'm just using it as a practice project before attempting something a little more challenging. Does anyone know a good method to fill these gaps? What kind of material should I use? A few things have come to mind but nothing that seems very sustainable/logical.

Edit: Added some pics for clarification

[BigM555]

Nobody?

I just want to fill the gaps to remove the tendency for the finished project to sound like a semi-hollow instead of the solid body it should.

I assume I'd like to use something dense, that will flow to fill small pockets, that won't shrink and is stable.

Any ideas?

[Toshiro]

This is actually quite common for cheaper les paul copies of that era. The tops were probably arched the same way they put the concave in a skateboard deck.

I wouldn't bother trying to fill it, and just accept it, and the tone it creates, as part of the guitar's vibe.