I was getting ready to order some stuff, and a friend who read through this forum reminded me of goal #1. So I had to rethink, and be creative, and do my best not to order anything new (though I did need the paint).
So here's another update. I need a pickguard for this beast. The best way to determine what I need was to lay out the components and design it from there.
[Linked Image]

Once I liked how everything looked, I then made the template in paper, as shown here:
[Linked Image]

Since I am going with what I have, I needed to be creative. Unfortunately, I didn't have any pickguard material large enough for this template. What I found when I went to the barn, was a 5-6 foot black rat snake perched just inside and above the doorway after I entered.
A bit alarming to have one so close to your head, but I ignored it and it ignored me.
I found a large piece of black plexiglass that at one time was a "designer panel" for the front of a refrigerator. Plexy is a bit more brittle than the material used for pickguards, but if I'm careful will cutting and filing, it should be fine. Plus it's large enough that if it breaks, I can make another if needed.
Onwards and always bowing through the doorways.

Tom Tracy
http://www.soundclick.com/tomtracy