I have a 2014 R8. The Custombuckers in it were very thin and bright. I swapped them for a pair of Seymour Duncan Skinner Burst pickups. Unpotted but but much smoother and better sounding.
Why hide glue? It's not structural. Titebond is more than sufficient. Clamps, yes, but what is the staple gun for?
I'd just use a black magic marker to touch it up. :hmm:
I have an R8 that I love. I have zero interest in an R9. If you want a guitar that will definitely sound different from your R8, do what I did and buy a Strat.
Here's 10 pages of threads relating to Historic Makeovers from just this forum:
https://www.mylespaul.com/search/1119631/?q=historic+makeovers&t=post&c[child_nodes]=1&c[nodes][0]=6&o=relevance
Thanks.
The picture makes it look worse than it actually is. There is about 1/4" between the tolex and the tip of the power tubes and they only overhang the tolex by a small amount. I've had the amp on for well over an hour with no problems.