Hey IH, have you thought about buying an old knackered guitar from a pawn shop for peanuts (like 50 bucks) and doing it up? I figure as long as the neck, neck housing and body are OK, you are set to go. Even better, if you can find an old dog (minus its electrics or similar) the resale value will have plummeted. I turned down a gutted Jackson 6 months ago going for a song and I have regretted it ever since.

That way you don’t alter the resale value of the DC and you get to have fun customizing and hot rodding the old knackered one a la Dr Frankenstein. If it turns out to be a disaster you still have Mr DC and if it is a blooming erupting success, well you are on to a winner!