Froblo's ES-1G

For my first kit I decided to try something hollowbody, because that's what I decided I needed in my life. The kit arrived a mere 24 hours after I ordered it, which was astounding. While I'm waiting for the glue to dry, here's where I'm at so far:

I decided on a walnut stain, hoping for a fairly rustic look. To this end, I decided against grain filling, in an experiment to encourage an amount of natural feel even after finishing. I also left the binding unmasked, but honestly if I did this again I'd do that differently. I used Feast Watson Walnut stain (hot tip, the $9 sample bottles will do at least a whole guitar, maybe two). The first coat on the neck wasn't diluted, which resulted in it being very dark, however I decided I didn't mind it, and after it dried it became clear I would only need perhaps one more coat. For the body the stain was diluted with spirits (although I can't remember the ratio).

Here it is after the first coat:
http://i.imgur.com/p5VVb64.jpg?1
And the back
http://i.imgur.com/PKrnYZF.jpg?1
Three coats later, time for a quick mockup
http://i.imgur.com/xC8uOWP.jpg?1
I believe this was after some initial coats of tru oil. The shine is beginning to show
http://i.imgur.com/vAEfNgp.jpg?1
Tru Oil drying
http://i.imgur.com/EOf5X1P.jpg?1
VERY shiny
http://i.imgur.com/OpHg8LJ.jpg?1
And the neck, which I neglected to take many photos of.
http://i.imgur.com/D5ltWy5.jpg?1

I'm waiting on some upgraded pickups (with black rings), material to cut a black 3-ply pickguard and a gold bracket.

Looks very nice, and as you say it's very rustic... interesting effect with the FW stain on the binding...

What clear coat are you using?

Looks good, and even the stained binding looks natural.

Sounds like you've already clued the neck on. From the photo of the neck it's hard to tell - but hopefully you avoided putting any Tru Oil on the parts of the neck that needed to be glued? It looks like some of it was stained (not a problem) but hopefully not Tru-Oiled as well?

Not to worry, I did indeed avoid Tru Oiling the neck where the glue will be going :)

Great! I was just a little worried that you'd end up with a weak joint.

That's looking awesome Froblo

I very much like the gold hardware on that color of the stain. It has something 'vintage' in it. You say you are going to replace the PU rings for black ones. Personally I would stick to the creme PU rings. But that is my taste ;)