Ash's first build LP1-M

Been playing around with this LP1-M kit for the last 6 weeks or so. Thankfully, I've been able to find the answers to any queries I've had in this forum so far in regards to test assembly, checking the neck measurements & fret level etc.
Originally I was going to have a light green flame top with a dark green body, neck and head-stock. But have decided to go for a more natural look on the back and neck. Just darkened the wood a bit with instant coffee and Tru-oiled over the top.
I was going to use ink for the green top, but couldn't get the colour I wanted so ended up using Color-tone dye from Stew Mac. Which was probably a good thing, cause the dye took 3 weeks to arrive, which meant 3 weeks spent sanding waiting for the dye.
Over the dye I've applied 10 coats of TO with a light buff after every few light coats, now waiting for everything to cure for several weeks so I can do the assembly
I'm not quite happy with the headstock, I applied several coats of black & green ink, then oiled over the top, so it looks black straight on but dark green from an angle
I put ona Gibson diamond decal but it lifted a bit on one corner when I oiled over the top of it, then wouldn't stick down properly again, so I pulled it off, sanded the headstock smooth again and have hand painted the design on and oiling over the top of that. So far it seems to be coming up alright

wow sweet looking build Ash you nailed the green top !

Cheers Wokka

Looking great Ash! Is it the color or the shape you don't like with the headstock?

Looks great! Love the green.

Nah, it was the decal I had on there. When I took it off the finish got messed up, so had to start again

Thanks John, happy with the way the coffee stained the back as well. Looks real good with the greenAttachment 20190

Looking Good.

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Originally Posted by Ash105

Been playing around with this LP1-M kit for the last 6 weeks or so. Thankfully, I've been able to find the answers to any queries I've had in this forum so far in regards to test assembly, checking the neck measurements & fret level etc.
Originally I was going to have a light green flame top with a dark green body, neck and head-stock. But have decided to go for a more natural look on the back and neck. Just darkened the wood a bit with instant coffee and Tru-oiled over the top.
I was going to use ink for the green top, but couldn't get the colour I wanted so ended up using Color-tone dye from Stew Mac. Which was probably a good thing, cause the dye took 3 weeks to arrive, which meant 3 weeks spent sanding waiting for the dye.
Over the dye I've applied 10 coats of TO with a light buff after every few light coats, now waiting for everything to cure for several weeks so I can do the assembly
I'm not quite happy with the headstock, I applied several coats of black & green ink, then oiled over the top, so it looks black straight on but dark green from an angle
I put ona Gibson diamond decal but it lifted a bit on one corner when I oiled over the top of it, then wouldn't stick down properly again, so I pulled it off, sanded the headstock smooth again and have hand painted the design on and oiling over the top of that. So far it seems to be coming up alright

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Nice job! Love Almost gold hue to the side in that bottom shot. Instant coffee wash eh, it's come up before in discussion but I think this is the first time I've seen it done. A good effect and a great result so far. What did you buff with between coats wet and dry or steel wool?

Thanks FrankenWashie, thought I'd give the coffee wash a go after reading on a post here. Buffed with steel wool after each 3rd coat, then 2000 wet'n'dry with white spirits. The wet'n'dry made the top like glass

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Originally Posted by Ash105

Thanks FrankenWashie, thought I'd give the coffee wash a go after reading on a post here. Buffed with steel wool after each 3rd coat, then 2000 wet'n'dry with white spirits. The wet'n'dry made the top like glass

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Nice. It about the best use for instant coffee i've heard. ITs all come up sweet as, what pickups are you throwing in?

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Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

Nice. It about the best use for instant coffee i've heard. ITs all come up sweet as, what pickups are you throwing in?

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its also good as the turn down knob on your missus when you spend to much on guitar parts lol

nice work going on there Ash its rolling a long nicely

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Originally Posted by phrozin

its also good as the turn down knob on your missus when you spend to much on guitar parts lol

nice work going on there Ash its rolling a long nicely

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😂🤣😜 love your work Phrozin!

That natural colour of the oiled mahogany looks great too. I can see all that sanding prep goodness. nice job

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Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

Nice. It about the best use for instant coffee i've heard. ITs all come up sweet as, what pickups are you throwing in?

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Tonerider Alnico 2's, I've got them in a Goldtop and like them tone/sound they have

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Originally Posted by phrozin

its also good as the turn down knob on your missus when you spend to much on guitar parts lol

nice work going on there Ash its rolling a long nicely

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Especially when we both have other hobbies as well, which cost more :eek:
The only other thing I have to get for this is some Grover tuners, which won't be until the oil has cured, otherwise it's too tempting to start assembling lol

Got a bit bored today, the 4ish week wait for the TO finish to cure seems to take forever. So did a mockupAttachment 20382Attachment 20383Attachment 20384Attachment 20385

The green looks awesome man! I'm doing a red/orange one now, but green is on the cards for the next one. I need more practice. Love the back too. I didn't do anything to mine - just TO over the top. Love the wood too much to put anything on it!

Very nice that green!

Gold hardware would complete the look.

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Originally Posted by wazkelly

Gold hardware would complete the look.

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Thinking the same thing, I've still got to get the tuners, so probably will get gold hardware at the same time

Wow!
That's the green stain I had in mind for my LP, but I screwed it up... You nailed it! Great job!