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Metal Wins!

I wouldn't have thought it out of the gate, but...


OK, let me explain:

I have this saying that "building kit guitars combines three of my passions: music, woodworking, and not getting divorced for buying $3,000 Gibsons."

Hey, it's fun, and you get a great guitar if you put in the learning and some cash for upgrades. My favourite kit supplier is Solo Music Gear (< that's an affiliate link), because their service, prices, and product are all just fantastic.

I own two instruments of theirs: a JEM-style electric, on which I haven't done any real work except change the knobs and the strap buttons, and a Strat-style electric, on which I changed almost everything. More on that one later, but you can see some of the before and after on my YouTube channel.

I decided that for 2021, I want to do the same sort of upgrading on a Solo Les-Paul style kit. The problem is, I couldn't decide whether to upmod it as a vintage-toned model or a modern medal machine. So I put it out on my Instagram and various Facebook channels like so:


Well, much to my surprise, the metal side actually won!! Yeah...including a vote from my mom!

Now, I do of course intend to build a nice warm vintage one at some point. But it looks like we're in it for the grind!!

So, let's talk gear...


To do this metal LP build, I'm going to need a few things:

  • Guitar Kit: Solo Music Gear LPK-10
  • Tuning Machines: Graphtech Ratio 3+3 Locking Tuners, Black (or chrome?)
  • Pickups: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers, Black Nickel
  • Battery: Fishman Rechargeable Battery Pack for Les Paul
  • Knobs: Iron Age Neptune's Filigree, Aqua (x4)
  • Strap Locks: Schaller S-Locks, Black Chrome
  • Strap: Ernie Ball Silver Orleans
  • Kill Switch: Iron Age Spartan Steel LED Kill Switch (Blue)
  • Nut: Graphtech Black TUSQ (model TBD)
  • Bridge: Graphtech (model TBD)

That's a lot of gear, and it doesn't include the finishes and tools (I'm thinking a black ice burst on the flame maple top, and matte black finish on everything else). Now, as I've demonstrated before, the Solo guitar kits are totally playable right out of the box. That's not the point though. The point is to have fun, and build out a professional-level instrument from (relatively) inexpensive modifications.

Sounds fun, anyway.

The trick to these builds is buying up a few parts here and there. I already know what I want for the electronics and accessories. The guitar is currently out of stock but on a waiting list, and I won't be able to get a new bridge or nut for it until I have the guitar in hand. Experience with my Strat build tells me you can't just buy a "Les Paul" nut for a kit like this and assume it's going to be the right size, string width, or radius.

This build will come with a complete walkthrough of all parts of the construction and modification, both here and on YouTube. And, of course, there's going to be a complete tone test (possibly before and after if I can make it happen) and playthrough when we're all done.

If you're feeling like you want to see things happen sooner rather than later, you can help out with a small contribution to the project. Just click the button below. There's no set amount...any little bit will do, and is greatly appreciated!



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