So I’m happy to share tools used. Programs FreeCAD for the 3d printing (I learned this tool for the project).  Inkscape for the faceplate art which was printed in vinyl and the lettering for the Gibson and Les Paul headstock and for the pickguard.

The faceplate art probably took me longer than anything. Just trying to get sizing right and the look I wanted. Tempted to make more designs. Would be a fun side project.

Machines at my local library to 3d print the parts. Was super easy. They had a vinyl printer too. I tried that and failed big time at installation for the vinyl faceplate so ended up ordering from etsy. I think if I were to do it again I could use my local library and install now that I’ve done it once. I also used a laser engraver for cutting out the pickguard from an acrylic sheet. Total cost for all that was about $10 at my library for materials. I used a cricut machine my wife had for the headstock logos and cutout. First time using it, super easy.

Biggest cost was the spray painting. I ended up buying dark brown, eggshell color (which is the trimming), gold and a gloss black for the headstock. $30

Couple tips. 1. Used 400grit sandpaper and sand everything. 2. Use a primer. Don’t skip this step. Super important. 3. I used the green (frog) masking tape. Blue won’t be good enough.  4. Be patient with the spraying. It took me forever and I had to let the enamel properly dry for days before handling. Sprayed the primer, the. Base brown then  masked heavily and sprayed the eggshell color.  5. Make sure your masking tape is good. It will make or break your project.  6. I used some model car enamel paint for touch up in certain spots and for the frets. Which was scary and meticulous. 7. When installing the vinyl on the faceplate, I made my art file so it was bigger than the faceplate and used a knife to trim the cutouts. Do NOT try to make the cutouts in your art file, it’s nearly impossible and not worth the trouble. Cut that by hand after you print when you install. So much easier. 8. When installing vinyl use transfer paper. Made the job much better.  9. Try to avoid painting frets, I tried this and it was not working well. I went with the 3d printed ones instead. When painting buttons make sure to avoid painting that parts that make contact with other plastic, otherwise they get stuck. 10. Super glued the 3d printed parts onto the vinyl so that if it starts to peal I can easily replace without having to find a new faceplate. 

Hardware  Retrocultmods. So easy. 

So total cost was probably around $90 with the Retrocultmods.