Hetfield Uncle Milty (Iron Cross) Les Paul Custom Replica

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

Follow up on the headstock binding: I found this kit from a supplier (referenced at the beginning of the thread) who used to have kits that took a rather libertine approach to intellectual property rights and was offering one that had a certain trademarked headstock shape with the 'custom' style binding. Needless to say they don't offer such things anymore.

If I were starting this project from scratch and had to modify a blank headstock I would probably either brush up on my router skills and shape and bind the headstock on my own, or be lazier and buy an overlay.

[Andyxlh]

Ahh I see! The headstock binding looks great. Many years ago I was a highway engineer and I was working on a lane way behind a venue. Out of the dumpster I picked a jap Les Paul copy which had been smashed on stage the night before. My dad is a carpenter so we fixed it all back together and I played it for a while before I gave it to a mate. That copy had the binding and the headstock shape correct, I can't remember the brand but it would have to have been an illegal copy for sure.

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

It could have been an Orville. They actually had the rights to use Gibson trademarks in Japan so it may have been legal.

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

Work is slowly continuing on this project. I've got the vinyl racing stripes on and I'm pretty happy with the result. Now I just need to find a place to paint the iron cross that isn't frozen.

[Ik7]

I am loving this build thread! It's made me think my next project might have to be a tribute!

One question...what is the lower toggle switch for?

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

Thanks Ik&! I'm enjoying the challenge of trying to recreate one of my favorite guitars. I highly recommend it. If nothing else it's forced me to pick up some new skills that I wouldn't necessarily have done on a regular kit build.

The lower toggle switch is the actual toggle switch. The upper one isn't connected to anything. Hetfield doesn't like the upper switch location for live playing. I forgot to mention anything about the electronics so here is a photo of the control cavity with all the fancy EMG stuff.

[Andy40]

nice stripes!

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

Thanks Andy. I had lots of extra vinyl stripe tape but managed to nail it on the first go around. Keeping it relatively straight on the carved top was a bit challenging.

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

Tonight I decided to change out the stock black plastic nut for a bone nut. It actually took a pretty good whack with a hammer to knock the old one off. I scraped off the remnants of the glue and put the new one on with a bit of wood glue. Then on went the clamp.

[Simon Barden]

For some reason I thought you'd finished the guitar. I suppose frozenness has put a halt to progress?