Millie Makeover

[MartyGrass]

Okay, maybe not a big makeover.

 

This 10 year Millenium Eagle 2000 had super glue on the bridge and posts. The previous owner either wanted to stop a saddle rattle or keep the saddles from shifting. He applied the glue and froze the saddle inserts real good! A little glue spilled on the finish.

 

A pickup ring was cracked and the nut was filed a little low. I wanted the guitar set up with 11-50s GHS Brite Flats (the 10s are great also). Lastly, I wanted a pickguard (finger rest).

 

I took it to Aaron Cowles, who is doing some archtop work for me. It took him a week to create this bound real ebony pickguard, remove all the super glue, repair the nitro where the glue bubbled it, file the frets, put in a new nut and fully set up the guitar. Total cost was surprisingly low at $151. And the lacquer is flawless. I could have easily paid that much just for the pickguard alone.

 

Aaron told me that super glue sands down pretty easily and clear nitro covers it without any scar.

 

I don't know what solvent he used to get the super glue out of the bridge, but I think he soaked it in acetone.

 

http://www.aaronsmus...e.com/main.html

 

Before:

 

 

 

Crappy cell phone after pics without and with anemic flash. Note how he designed the pickguard without the bracket.

 

 

 

[MartyGrass]

Here's a murky full length shot.

 

 

 

 

This gives an idea of the aesthetic balance of a small pickguard.

[schundog]

Nice! That Millie is ALMOST as the one you sold me, haha. I like the small pick guard.

[Steiner]

That's a Cool Guitar!

[MartyGrass]

I know that real men don't need pickguards. It's one of my many shortcomings.

 

SD, our Millies are very similar. The chestnut burst is my favorite for a Millie. Frankly, I don't care one way or another about the F holes. They're kinda cool but they also show the unfinished innards and some wiring, so it's a wash. And it would be a real stretch to try to convince someone that sonically they matter much. But I gots to have the abalone!

[Guest HRB853370]

Chestnut is great on any Heritage guitar, and I am lusting after a Chestnut 535. So where is this Cowles guy located and is he a competitor to Brents fave luthier, Pete Morello?

[MartyGrass]

Aaron Cowles is about 20 miles from Pete Moreno. They both once worked at Gibson. I don't think they are competitors.

 

Both are old school, which is good. They have common sense, can solve problems, and have high standards. Aaron probably does more building than Pete, and Pete can fix anything.

 

Neither does email.

 

I can recommend either without reservation.

 

Here's Aaron's website, but if you want to reach him you should call.

 

http://www.aaronsmus...e.com/main.html

[Genericmusic]

Excellent!

[bolero]

nice facelift!!

 

those angled pickguard braces annoy me, always taking a chunk of my finger off on them, the underneath mount makes a lot of sense!

[tulk1]

I'm just a tad bit jealous that you have such easy access to Aaron. I'd love to send him my H40 for a work over. Y'know, let the builder tweak it.

 

Love your Eagle 2000. Stunning specimen of the Millies.

[MartyGrass]

One last shot with a better camera.

 

BTW, if you want Aaron or Pete Moreno to do any work for you, bring your axe to Kalamazoo for PSP next time. If you let them know before you get here they could maybe get it done while you're in town. I've seen that happen.

 

But of course why not have the Heritage folks do it, if it's a Heritage you want some work on?

 

 

[chico]

I need to replace my jack input to one of the exterior type (my 2000 H155 has the internal jack and it is worn out), It would require external plate/screws as is the standard type put on Heritages.

 

plus I'd like a couple pots changed out, they are too sloppy for my liking.

 

Ren told me of someone who'd do the job, I'm wondering if they were your guys.

[Gitfiddler]

Well done, MG. I too appreciate Chestnut Burst and REALLY like fancy Millies like yours. Glad it cleaned up so well.

[tulk1]

One last shot with a better camera.

 

BTW, if you want Aaron or Pete Moreno to do any work for you, bring your axe to Kalamazoo for PSP next time. If you let them know before you get here they could maybe get it done while you're in town. I've seen that happen.

 

But of course why not have the Heritage folks do it, if it's a Heritage you want some work on?

 

Because Aaron built the mandolins for Heritage. Not a bad idea about the before hand thing with Aaron, tho'. I've done that with my Millie DC NFH when it needed some adjustment. Sent it to Heritage and picked it up at the PSP. Hmmmmm

[heritagefan7]

Beautiful git Marty. I like the chuesnut burst as well. very nice.

[tbonesullivan]

For the record, super glue is one of the things that Dan Erlewine uses to repair chips/dings, etc on non-nitro finishes. heck he seems to use it for everything. Glad you got your beauty back up and running 100%! killer guitar.