I've bought this guitar almost two years ago and it looked like this:
After getting comfortable with the LP body type, I've started modding it to hell and back to see the best configuration, pickups, etc. Sometime before the Christmas, I've finished the build and I'm very satisfied. I spent past week at work, which is why I'm posting it just now.
Everything besides the wood has been replaced and adjusted:
The potentiometers were replaced with Bourns' that turn harder, as I like it. The toggle switch for pickups was moved to the bottom, so it's easier to connect the wires. Another switch I added is the double split coil for both pickups and the old socket at the top is now occupied by the VariTone switch that works much better with a Tone knob on board.
The pickups' rings were replaced with gold ones, made of steel, both for good looks and hopefully for better resonance than the plastic ones. The saddle has been replaced with a brass one. The old one was badly cut and the high E tended to spring out of it. The tuners were replaced with Kluson's locking tuners that I've found on a sale. They keep the guitar in tune pretty well and re-stringing should now be a bit easier.
The straplocks were replaced with ones I've got directly from China. For the price, they do amazing job, look great and seem very sturdy. Now I won't have to worry about the hanging belt when I hang the guitars up on the wall
The whole guitar has been checked and prepared by the luthier, so the octaves, truss rod and pickups' height are now properly set and it's tuned for Eb henceforth. It's fun but it also allows me to cover more ground, regarding lessons at GMC. Somehow, I like higher string action on this one and I left it this way.
It also turned out the solder tin I was using was the old USSR's industrial one, possibly with lead in it. Besides its poor quality, it also muddied the signal a LOT. Now the guitar is wired with the new solder tin and the pickups in two of my guitars finally sound like they should. I enjoyed both Merlin set and the PAFs when I first got them but now their true potential is unleashed!
My original idea for this guitar was to alter it based on Hetfield's Iron Cross but in the meantime, I've developed my own concept, so it's 100% my own design!
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This post has been edited by Adam: Dec 31 2019, 11:27 PM
