Michael's 1st build HB-4S

No not going with the traditional Hofner look . My thinking is as follows: go with a silver/metal and wood look -so ditch and replace all plastic bits with wood or metal. Sides and back stain dark / mahogany / rosewood / dark oak - this to contrast the binding. The top a very very light stain. But possibly then will wait until I've done the sides and then make the decision on whether to apply stain to the top.
Finally got the neck fitting and aligned correctly and ready to move to the next step.

Nice. I like your train of thought. That stain job will look great with either satin finish metal parts or bright Chrome finish. Really looking forward to see how this turns out.

Thanks - Me too :)

So in the process of checking for glue spots I found this: Attachment 20902 It appears that a crack in the veneer is filled with CA glue, this is the largest, there are one or two other much smaller ones. Removing it is not an option without micro surgery, awesome skill and magical fillers. I assume the very light stain I was going to apply is not going to take on these spots? Also wondering how it will look with the application of the tru oil and if the oil will form a protective layer over it?

Hi Michael, Tru Oil should do a good job of blending if not hiding that glue or filler section shown in previous photo. It will also make that spalted top come to life.

Just a heads up with Basswood and dark stains.....if you have sanded past 180, it probably won't take much colour, particularly on end grain and you may need to sand it back with 120 to open things up a bit. Check out a recent build on a thinline Tele with Bondi Blue to see what I am talking about - I think it is Robbo's and shows evidence of overpolished timber and lack of stain penetration. Sometimes the basswood is so shiny straight out of the box that not much more work needs to be done except on edges to knock off the machine marks from where the body has been cut from the original blank.

Thanks wazkelly - I read the thread and made a note of that... (he says gently sanding back down with 120 grit). Choosing colours on a first build is a stressful endevour...

First builds can be stressful but there are always plenty of folk ready and willing to help and offer advice on this forum. Things can be confusing as some guys say one thing and others say something totally different and it all comes down to personal experience and your gut feeling can play a part too. What I mean is, if something doesn't look or feel right, probably best to stop and ponder for a while or maybe even put up a post with your concerns rather than keep going and end up in a worse place.

Cheers, Waz

Yes one of the most difficult things doing this for the first time is taking it slow and carefully. Thank you for the sage advice Waz.
I am in the process of reinforcing certain parts of the body. The centre block under the saddle (saddle is not positioned directly over it - it just seemed reasonable that it should). Also considering reinforcing the neck pocket, appears a little flimsy to me. trying to create more contact at the neck, may (or may not) produce better resonance and support. Then will proceed with staining the back and sides. Well thats the plan.....

Every kit has it's challenges and good to hear you are carefully checking and thinking things through rather than ending up in an 'Oh $#!@' moment when quite often it could be too late.

Stained, neck, sides and back. 2 coats of tru oil so far.
2 coats of shellac to front. Waiting 24 hours at least before starting with tru oil.
There have a number of lessons learnt already. Mainly around going slow, and rechecking... (even though I think I am being meticulous) taped up the binding which took forever and still got lots of bleed from the spirit based stain. among a list of stain mistakes, scratches missed etc etc.
Planning to coat with oil twice a day with oil until the layers build up. Light wipe with 400 grit every couple of layers. Will see how I go as layers progress.
Also now beginning to work on making pick up surrounds, truss rod cover and control cover from pieces of walnut I managed to scrounge.
Onward and upward.Attachment 21039Attachment 21040Attachment 21041