The Making Of A Custom ESP LTD James Hetfield Flying V Vulture

Here are the specs of this custom ESP/LTD James Hetfield Vulture:
- body: mahogany
- top: bookmatched walnut
- neck: laminated sucupira / mahogany veneer / flamed maple / mahogany veneer / sucupira
- fretboard: bird’s eye maple
- scale length: 24.75″ (628.65mm)
- headstock: 6-inline with walnut veneer
- pickups: EMG James Hetfield set active pickups
- bridge: Gotoh 510UB Wraparound Bridge - Chrome
- tuners: Hipshot Grip-Lock
You can now purchase the plans for this guitar here gum.co/ZLePH
You can see the full set of build photos here: projectelectricguitar.com/cust...
You can follow my current guitar builds on my Facebook page : / jakalianguitars
Project Electric Guitar is on:
Facebook: / projectelectricguitar
Pinterest: / project-electric-guitar
Instagram: / project_electric_guitar
Google+: www.google.com/+Projectelectr...
Website: projectelectricguitar.com

[@martinbeaudry9475]

sorry but this is not an ESP.!! actually it's way more than an ESP... they should be jealous of yours..!!! WOW.!!! a real piece of art.!!! BRAVO.!!!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Merci Martin!

[@jamesscouten7579]

That is simply a work of art! I wish I had your skillset. Beautiful guitar!

[@jhp110]

Well done sir, the right tools in the right hands are capable of making works of art.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you.

[@jkwttrs]

Sick build! Love the Birds Eye

[@andyhalliday7452]

Looks great. Love the natural finish and the pick up surrounds. Very cool!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Andy!

[@nininmartin2537]

Man this is a wonderful guitar you made ! James needs to see this !

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@tomalexiou9573]

Beautiful work.Thank you for the video.

[@kittenarmy4782]

the birds eye around the pickups looks great! I might use that on my build now great work

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks. I really like the blending of wood and metal. The bird's eye maple has a nice contrasting effect against the darker pickups.

[@john-t-bjohnb3588]

Great job!
That's some real woodworking skills there.

[@mjf1036]

Masterful, beautiful work.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Mark.

[@kawmic7]

Very cool workmanship. And finally someone who doesn't over-use the tonekilling thick finishes.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Michael. I'm usually a fan of the candy-coated-gloss look but I'm really starting to appreciate the more subtle and delicate finishes.

[@mattbridges8384]

Yeah that’s really beautiful. Great work.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you Matt.

[@SchnorrenCast]

That looks great :0 I've been wanting to build a guitar myself for some time and holy crap, I'm amazed

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Gideon! If you're thinking about building a guitar, then come join my Project Electric Guitar Facebook Group (ruclips.net/video/UNY1C9HYqDQ/видео.html), you can always unsubscibe from it if you don't like it.

[@chrissoares23]

Nice work! - beautiful V.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you Chris!

[@Ibaneddie76]

AWESOME JOB MAN EVERY ONE GETS BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS LOVING THESE VIDEOS.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Eddie!

[@jamesmcdonald3798]

Can't believe I just found your chanel. Well better late than never. You just got a new subscriber and I will be spreading the word all over Boston

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you James! I appreciate it.

[@JoshuaDalviken]

Beautiful work!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you !

[@meno3633]

amazing work my friend!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you Andres!
I would not have tried this pore filling method if you hadn't mentioned it on the Facebook group! :)

[@andrewwilkinson2436]

That's one cool gtr! Beautiful colours and fretboard matches perfectly colour-wise to the body. \m/

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Andrew!

[@marcashbourne176]

Absolutely beautiful!!!!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you Marc!

[@thomasbarker7735]

What a guitar build really nice

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Thomas!

[@mcclane12000]

Every stage was just so neat, I still make many mistakes after numerous builds! Kudos!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I still make mistakes...! :)

[@mcclane12000]

Ha! We all do I guess! Your work was just so tidy, very impressive indeed!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@MrMPunky]

Awesome! Good Job

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you!

[@rennyquiroga2945]

amazing! good job

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@KaoswareMetal]

man you did an amazing job!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@justriffs]

On se calme ! Tu en as déjà assez ! :D

[@KaoswareMetal]

;)

[@smoluk1]

way to go!

[@AMStationEngineer]

Great craftsmanship, and attention to detail with respect to the precision router work (appears to be close to CNC tolerance), fret board, and neck.
A class ride, first class, all the way, CASE CLOSED!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you! Thats' very nice of you, I appreciate it.

[@AMStationEngineer]

+Project Electric Guitar Eh, you deserve at least that much!

[@nickcaptain13]

well, awesome..damn... but i saw the pics in the site. and i saw that guitar on a blackstar 260... any chance demoing this beast with that amp? :P

[@christisgod3354]

That is one sweet looking guitar.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you.

[@SanAndFe]

Great work, 👍🏻

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks1

[@jacobnicoletti1235]

Hey! The finish looks awesome. I'm going to be doing a Flying V kit from precision guitars and I want to finish it the same way you've got it. Would you mind sharing what you did with the finish?

[@v8metal]

holy shit !! THIS IS AMAZING !!!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!!

[@AllStarAmerican]

Oh WOW ... awesome and awesome and awesome

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Hugo. I get the feeling you liked it!? ;)

[@SpringOffensiveCat]

No plastic, only wood and metal, i love that.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Yup, not a big fan of plastic guitars.

[@djgrillades7041]

Your work is amazing, I'm thinking about making my own guitar for a long time but I obviously don't have the skills to do it and I don't have the money to buy a Gibson explorer so I think I'll start with a DIY kit to see how I will get buy with my first guitar

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Starting with a kit is a great way to start. Good luck!

[@fabianquetimporta]

Gran trabajo

[@Projectelectricguitar]

gracias

[@maclancastermusic4757]

Awesome!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@cehayes74]

U aced it, the best looking Vulture 👁 seen next 2 the Satin Black he plays !!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@keithsa41]

Master builder!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks! But I'm not there yet... :)

[@fionnkilbane9546]

id like a link the tune in this video if possible thankou

[@michaelmarini3123]

Magnificent....!!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Michael!

[@ParkourDrama]

Wow!

[@guellekanista5619]

Very very Nice.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thank you.

[@maicobotega7195]

Beautifull!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks

[@mangoheadquarters8134]

inspirational

[@Projectelectricguitar]

thanks!

[@shanebratton8339]

how much?

[@noelunayjr.2725]

you are awesome sir...could you do a tutorial on the basics on building a guitar please...i want to learn from you

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks! I'll see what I can do about an introduction to guitar building.

[@normladuke9309]

Great work...I love this guitar!How much would it be, to make a guitar like it...but, with passive pickups?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Norm.
You can join my Jakalian Guitars Facebook page and we can discuss further facebook.com/JakalianGuitars/

[@user-pz1ib2qt8v]

you made the shit! damn excellent.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@mankovitch8010]

Definitivamente si fuera de tu país te pediría una guitarra personalizada...

[@jswazz9264]

Nice!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@matthewotremba9230]

SUPERB

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Matthew

[@1980bandit]

Awesome! What is the finish on the body.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks. It's a hand rubbed polyurethane.

[@davidh.quusacine]

Awesome job. What is your purpose to glue laminated sucupira / mahogany veneer / flamed maple / mahogany veneer / sucupira together? Could that effect on instrument's sympathetic vibration?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks David. Lamination is mainly for strength and beauty. Instead of trying to find one large quatersawn block of wood to make a neck, I can laminate smaller pieces together to make one larger block...

[@mmarrinan]

Very well done! Where do you get the templates from?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks you Michael! I drew the plans and made the template myself.

[@Harvest1966]

Holy shit!!! This is one sick guitar!!!!! 😱👍😱👍😱👍😱👍😱👍😱👍

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@judemisura4323]

Do you do these builds for yourself or would u make it for others as well?

[@metallixro]

This was awesome to watch! If there is one skill I wish I had is guitar building! The wrap around bridge doesn't fit the guitar thou..

[@FlyGriffin74]

Damn cool! \m/

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@bassa69]

another great video but be nice to hear what they sound like

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I'm planning on making a demo... hopefully soon.

[@dissidentaggressor2607]

c'est vrai qu'elle est classe cette guitare !

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Merci al.

[@Cougar139tweak]

Holy Sh**, that's awesome

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@CG-70]

It’s cool man. Would have moved he input jack into underside like the Vulture

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks.
I spent a lot of time thinking about the placement of the output jack. The location on the ESP/LTD Vulture just didn't make sense to me. Also it complicates the building process a bit...
The current location work really well on this guitar. The only other location I would consider is on the lower V on the inside.

[@hierarchyofscares]

how deep were your holes for the pickups

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I usually route the pickup cavities between 3/4" to 7/8" deep.

[@BoyAditya]

oh man... I'm salivating ... 😻😻

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Haha, thanks!

[@MB-yw3pv]

Awesome guitar, I'm just curiour, how much does it cost to built one of those?(dont have to be exact but even just a ball park figure) I want a Vulture really bad but they are too much, If I can I would build one and make my own color scheme

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!
A custom Vulture like this one will be around the same price and higher to an LTD

[@gompi6]

Quick question. When building a guitar. Is a truss rod reallt necessary? Iim in the progress of making a Snakebyte, but i'm not sure if i need to go through the trouble of buying a rod and installing it... Much appreciated!

[@johanengqvist4333]

Yes it is essential. Otherwise the string tension will cause the neck to bend. You need it to set up string action as well.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Is it absolutely necessary? No.
But I don't know any builders that don't use a truss rod. I would not build a guitar without one. It's worth the trouble because you'll be able to adjust the neck relief and hence playability.

[@johanengqvist4333]

Project Electric Guitar, Yeah you are probably right. Of course you can make it work. I mainly build bass guitars and I would like to argue that for basses it is necessary because of the heavier string tension in relation to neck strength. If you want a really slim neck, that is.

[@wAiEr1009]

Do u think this bridge would fit a les paul jr

[@abireyes85]

holy shitttt what a great fuk'n work man !

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks man!

[@niilonevalainen2884]

Where did you get the template? I'd like too my own vulture too, I got an guitar neck already.

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Hi Niilo, I designed the template in software based on the ESP Vulture images from the web. You find can my plans here: projectelectricguitar.com/shop/

[@niilonevalainen2884]

Thanks! I'm gonna make a Vulture with Floyd Rose...

[@jacobwatanabe6566]

Hello there kind sir! Where are you from? I'd like to have one of those custom guitars!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I'm near Montreal. The best way to get and stay in touch with me is on my Facebook page (facebook.com/JakalianGuitars/)

[@sebastianchlebecek6725]

Right in your face Dora! 🤣
Great Work looks insanely good with it's finish all Natural

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Dora has seen many of my guitars... haha!Thanks Sebastian!

[@tkzsfen]

how do you estimate at what negative angle you should put the neck in contrast to the body?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I draw a full size side view of the guitar body, bridge and neck... that tells me the exact angle I need for the neck. I used to draw it by hand but now I draw it in software.

[@tkzsfen]

one more question if i may. how much do you reckon is the biggest amplitude of the open E string in mm or inches? it gives me a lot of trouble, it is something that i still can't figure out and in the same time it is crucial for the guitar design :(

[@Projectelectricguitar]

You don't need to worry about string amplitude... This is not something that guitar builders take into consideration at design time. Design your guitar with the lowest possible string action and then, when the guitar is built, you will adjust the truss rod and bridge height until the strings don't touch the frets, ie. no more fret buzz.

[@tkzsfen]

thank you

[@EmanoelChequetto]

Olá amigo. Que lindo trabalho!!!! Parabéns!!!. Você teria o pdf do corpo da guitarra para disponibilizar para download? Obrigado!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Obrigado! Eu não tenho os planos prontos, mas vou fazê-lo eventualmente.

[@EmanoelChequetto]

Agradeço a atenção! Ficaria agradecido se pudesse disponibiliza-lo no seu site! Abraço!

[@MichaelGotiashvili]

Awesome build! I'm planning to do almost the same style and thinking of Gotoh wraparound bridge. Did you do the neck at an angle?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Yes I angled the neck, I a have a video about it here: ruclips.net/video/OIUEvElnFGQ/видео.html

[@MichaelGotiashvili]

Project Electric Guitar thank you!

[@danosper2953]

Dude! You have outdone yourself. What are you finishing with? Is it thin coats of lacquer and french polish?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Dan! For the finish, I'm experimenting with a home-brew hand rubbed finish...

[@danosper2953]

Ah, sounds like a home ebonizing brew I use. Cold black tea followed by steel wool and vinegar. I usually do it on furniture . I did it on a guitar a while back but started with black boot polish as a grain filler and burnished it with fine steel wool. It looks really old and rustic which is what I wanted.

[@goodearthcustomconcepts2402]

way cool stuff

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@goodearthcustomconcepts2402]

I BUILD GUITARS AND JUST STARTED ON RUclips I HAVE 15 SUBSCRIBERS 16 IF YOU WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO GIVE IT A LOOK THANK YOU SO MUCH ,,,FOREVER IN MY HI REGARDS GOODEARTH GUITARS PORTLAND,OREGON

[@thierrytitus5980]

Merveilleux
J'aimerais avoir votre talent

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Merci Thierry!

[@KieranFMoore]

what bridge is that on it?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

It's the Gotoh 510UB wrap-around. It's a great bridge!

[@silentrage5677]

I need one

[@danielriba9289]

name of the song that started at min 2:51?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

It's called March On by Ethan Meixsell

[@danielriba9289]

Thank you! nice work btw!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@NICKWAPPERER117]

Dude this is amazing? How much would It cost to make a strat?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks James!
Here's the link to my Jakalian Guitars Facebook page so you can message me there facebook.com/JakalianGuitars/

[@chetanhp541]

Sir can I get template of this

[@Projectelectricguitar]

You can get the plans for it here gumroad.com/l/ZLePH

[@OldJames]

MAN SOOOO SICK!!!! BEAUTY! Whats the music @ 2:51 ?!?!? also super rad!!!!

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks. The music is from RUclips's audio library, I don't recall the name.

[@waylonwhite694]

Badaas

[@undemkek7567]

Do you sell guitars because i would love to buy one

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Hi Undem, the best way to see if I have something to sell or when I'm accepting custom orders is to follow me on my Facebook page facebook.com/JakalianGuitars/

[@that_sax_player_daemon3458]

You should do a video o n making a Snakebyte

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Maybe one day... :)

[@scottforrest2097]

Nice, and beautiful but I can't help but think you should have spent more time sanding, the finish look a little rough. Around the frets I see some gouges.... beautiful wood choices. Great job.

[@millershredz2044]

Approximately, how much is it to create an electric guitar?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I can't give an exact number but the cost includes: enough hand- and power-tools tools to fill a garage, four months of my time to build it and years of practice. Oh, and wood and guitar parts.

[@b.cguitarcovers2347]

Thats fuckin bad ass bud!!👍👍

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks!

[@Zantrop64]

Looks nice, i'm just a little worried about the jack that might fall :/. Still looks awesome

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks! But why would the jack fail?

[@Zantrop64]

Project Electric Guitar with an angle like that, wouldn't the jack plug tend to fall?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I guess it could fall out more easily on this guitar if you step on the cord... because you can't wrap the cord around the strap like you would on almost any other guitar!?

[@michaelmcsky]

great job, are you a hobby builder or why do you have this abilities?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks Michael. Yes, hobby builder. "why do I have this abilities?", because I try and I'm not afraid to fail.

[@raymond6845]

Where do you learn how to do this? I can't find any helpful information online. Am I just an idiot that can't see what I need to see?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

I started before there was RUclips so this book was all I had ( amzn.to/2hcDgvP) and also an online forum.
Today I have my own Facebook group for electric guitar builders (facebook.com/groups/ProjectElectricGuitar/), check it out...

[@raymond6845]

Thanks!!!

[@chromewarrior7959]

how ,much is it worth you think? 5K?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Maybe one day... :)

[@Locoandchooch]

Looks better than an ESP, can I buy one?

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks. I don't have any guitars for sale right now but you can follow my work over on my Facebook page and stay in touch. facebook.com/JakalianGuitars/

[@ThrushCZX]

Beautiful craftsmanship, stunning woods, wonderful attention to detail - but my god, you need to trim those strings...

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Haha, thanks!

[@ToshirokArai]

ESP arrow pls

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Thanks for the idea. That's a fine looking guitar body!

[@calebproductions5970]

Omg

[@SanyaZerg]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻я тоже себе такую гитару сделал)) но гриф не получился надо новый делать...

[@Zkillzen]

I would buy this guitar just to gift it to my Lord Het

[@Projectelectricguitar]

Haha... thanks Steven!