Dusty Hill Signature Gold Top homemade replica

[Mad Mux]

Like many, I'm in deep for the Fender CS Dusty Hill Gold Top, only I can't justify the multiple thousands....I could, however, build a reasonable facsimile for around $650....except I have a couple variations in mind and need your thoughts:

I've never played a flat-top for more than 10 minutes or so....I wear mine fairly high, so I'm worried after a 3-hour gig the sharp edge would kill my forearm.... so my build could have some variation:

1) Flat-top with 1/8" rounded edge all the way around, with either:
A) white binding set down 1/8", below the rounded edge - Gold above, dark natural (Tung Oil?) below, or..
B) masked/faux binding, or white pinstripe tape (e.g. Pep Boys, etc.).

2) Flat-top with binding, but do a forearm cut, and either:
A) interrupt the binding with the forearm cut, or..
B) try to figure out how to do a "drop-top" binding (Warmoth's nomenclature), following the outline of the cut (tricky, not sure how to do it, other than very carefully with chisels...I'd have to practice).

3) Do it without binding, either w/rounded edge, or flat with forearm cut.

I'll be using reranch Gold Top rattle can, probably use their "vintage tint" clear coat to try to get that "antiqued" gold finish.... other ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Davo-LON]

Serious suggestion: Lower your playing postion.

I've played a highish position for 40 years and then I lowered it (extended strap maybe 4-inches) - it really only took me about a week to get used to the lower position and my RH is less bent over and I can reach the bottom notes better. I would now say that the bass isn't metal - low but it's comfortably in the centre of my body. There is no perfect position but with a lower position the cut away will be far less important. Then you can go for the full replica Goldtop.

That's my suggestion. Having a break in the binding doesn't sound like it will work aesthetically.

Regards
Davo

 

[Mad Mux]

Serious suggestion: Lower your playing postion.

I've played a highish position for 40 years and then I lowered it (extended strap maybe 4-inches) - it really only took me about a week to get used to the lower position and my RH is less bent over and I can reach the bottom notes better. I would now say that the bass isn't metal - low but it's comfortably in the centre of my body. There is no perfect position but with a lower position the cut away will be far less important. Then you can go for the full replica Goldtop.

That's my suggestion. Having a break in the binding doesn't sound like it will work aesthetically.

Regards
Davo

I'll try it, thanks. I agree, don't think the break in binding would look good, never seen it done and hard to imagine. The best looking option is just a straight flattop with binding all the way around. Although, Warmoth's "Droptop" binding, where they bend the binding with the forearm cut, looks fantastic...but they only offer it on J bodies!