Hetfield Uncle Milty (Iron Cross) Les Paul Custom Replica

[nitroburner1000]

Well the long awaited iron cross is underway and almost ready for paint. Printed off a template I found online and traced the outline onto a piece of blank pickguard material, then got the shaped roughed out with a combination of backsaw, drill and utility knife. I think I'll just need to sand edges to smooth out some of the roughness from the carving process then hit it with the various spray paints. One day this project will be completed... yes, one day.

Attachment 23048

Yes great looking job, im doing a replica as well at the moment but i couldnt bring myself to use chisels, your a very brave man

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

How’s the project coming? I’m doing one of my own right now as well!

Progress has stalled for the past month unfortunately as life has been rather hectic lately and I haven't had too much free time for hobbies. I need to carve out a bit of space to put the final push on for this build though as I would like to get it done this calendar year. Basically I think I just have to epoxy the pickup covers and faux pole pieces together, paint the iron cross, then install the hardware and electronics and set it up.

How are you doing your build? Kit, scratch, modifying and existing guitar?

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

I was inspired by the 'why isn't anyone posting anything' thread from yesterday and carved out some time to epoxy the pickups, pole pieces, and covers together. I just need to scuff up the pole pieces a little, but overall I think it turned out looking pretty good. I now have a set of EMG 81/60s that look like vintage humbuckers. Hopefully they still work after all that!

[TangoWhiskey28]

I picked up a Devlin DS-400 and began modifying it last week. Just got body wear and aging done Monday. Last night installed the EMG Het Set and Sperzel locking tuners. All that’s left is the Iron Cross and Stripe. Can’t wait to finish it up!!!

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

I picked up a Devlin DS-400 and began modifying it last week. Just got body wear and aging done Monday. Last night installed the EMG Het Set and Sperzel locking tuners. All that’s left is the Iron Cross and Stripe. Can’t wait to finish it up!!!

Nice. It sounds like your project is going significantly faster!

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

I decided to try and keep some momentum going on this project so I installed the Sperzel locking tuners, hammered the bridge and tailpiece studs into the body, and did a mock up with some of the hardware to see how things are looking.

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

A few more pieces added to the mock up. I discovered an additional roadblock though as none of my pickup mounting screws fit the EMG pickups, because of course American made ones are a different thread than the ones from the Chinese kit. I'm really liking how things are looking though.

[Andyxlh]

That looks wonderful! I love pre worn guitars, my Frankenstein fits like comfy shoes!!! On my LP model I changed out the nut for a bone one which made a real difference to the tone, which frankly amazed me. Have you done that? Might be worth it.
BYW, how did you get the headstock binding?

[Swanny]

I discovered the thread difference putting together my son's geetar. I think I found an eBay seller that sold pickup screws to suit the EMG mounts. Only a couple of dollars, but a week waiting, if I remember correctly (and I try to forget that guitar...)

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

@Andyxlh I do have a bone nut, but I haven't changed it out yet. For the binding, do you mean how did I get a kit with BWBWB binding or how did I get the colour?

@Swanny Yeah the fix to my problem is $2.52 and however long it takes for it to clear customs away from me. I'm just annoyed I didn't catch that one earlier.