Another RR Makeover

[roodyrocker]

So, tonight I finally got the final piece on the guitar to complete another Randy Rhoads makeover The guitar is a Les Paul Custom 74 Reissue in Aspen White. For those who are not aware of it, these are 74 RI's that are pretty much identical to the Randy Rhoads sig model except without the brass parts and RR serial number. They even have the same 74 reissue pickups in them. Anyway, I think all cream white LPC's need to be converted to RR models So, I obtained the brass parts from the supplier who made them for Gibson's sig run, replaced the truss rod cover with a blank one, added the Schaller strap locks, replaced the witchhats with gold speed knobs, added pointers under the knobs and, the final part tonight was getting the pickguard engraved with RANDY RHOADS then filling that in with gold paint. It is now a Rhoads clone! The only thing not changed is that I left the Grover tuners on it. I do have a set of original Schaller tuners that could go on it to complete the transformation but I elected not to drill the back of the headstock for Schallers and left the Grovers on. Now my original 74 LPC which previously underwent a similar makeover can stay at home. The 74 RI will be played out live. Here it is before and after.

Before:






...and lets not forget the volute!


The paint was just applied today to the engraved pickguard.


Here it is after the RR Makeover:








Rudy

[BlackDog81]

OH goodness! Now that is one nice guitar.

[BadBeat78]

[sangandongo]

Why is it Mustard Custard Yellow?

[Mr Teeny]

That is one odd looking colour , although I imagine the camera's not doing it just justice (fingers crossed)

[roodyrocker]

Rhoads' original has actually yellowed quite a bit. The color is a bit off however because I just got it finished up last night. Lighting for the shots is by fluorescent ceiling lights and bouncing flash off adjacent white surfaces. Not optimum for pix but better than straight on flash or worse yet, fluorescent lights alone which would yield more green (yuck!)

Rudy

[Jackassrock]

This may be a question that's been answered before, but was the extent of Randy's mods purely cosmetic, or did he change something that makes a difference tonally ?

And why brass cover plates? If there's one thing my '74 custom doesn't need, it's more weight.

Nice guitar BTW !

[roodyrocker]

Originally Posted by Jackassrock

This may be a question that's been answered before, but was the extent of Randy's mods purely cosmetic, or did he change something that makes a difference tonally ?

And why brass cover plates? If there's one thing my '74 custom doesn't need, it's more weight.

Nice guitar BTW !

Thank you. Randy's didn't have anything that I'm aware of that changed the tone, purely cosmetics. Thing is, his changes to it were subtle yet it is easily the most famous and recognizable white LPC ever!
Most of the brass parts including the toggle switch, covers, jack plate, etc... I think he carried over to Jackson. Jackson USA guitars to this day continue with metal for these parts as opposed to plastic like Gibson does. Over time the plastics crack, metal does not
Randy was barely 100 lbs himself. He played that hefty Norlin night after night on countless stages. The way I see it there is no Norlin too heavy The brass does not add a ton of weight really. My 74 RI will be gigged.

Rudy

[Slashperryburst]

Truly beautiful guitar. I've always wanted a nicely aged white les paul custom. How did you get the finish like that? Complete refinish?

[roodyrocker]

Originally Posted by Slashperryburst

Truly beautiful guitar. I've always wanted a nicely aged white les paul custom. How did you get the finish like that? Complete refinish?

It is not refinished, that is the factory color. Gibson calls it Aspen White and it's available on the 74 RI LPC in limited numbers. Last time I checked, Music Zoo still had one available new.

Rudy

[Slashperryburst]

Ahh okay. Thanks for the clarification. If I'm not mistaken, I've seen you on youtube? Long blond hair and (the giveaway) the white marshall stack in your avatar.

[roodyrocker]

Originally Posted by Slashperryburst

Ahh okay. Thanks for the clarification. If I'm not mistaken, I've seen you on youtube? Long blond hair and (the giveaway) the white marshall stack in your avatar.

Nope, that's not me on YouTube. Although I wish I had the time to set up and record a few clips of various gear to put on there. I have some clips on there from NAMM shows but nothing of me demoing anything.
You sure the blond guy with white stack on YouTube isn't Randy Rhoads?

Rudy