Roly's ES12G

[Roly]

Well i did say I was starting after Christmas - but I didn't say which one...LOL.

Looking back, I said hello in December 16 and finally I have started. I have thought lots about changing and upgrading hardware but have decided to build it with the supplied gear and if it is worthy after completion, I will spend some cash on better pickups and other upgrades then.

I tidied up our back room last weekend and looked in the box and decided it was time to start. I had previously sanded the body and so gave it another run over and had a close look at everything to re-acquaint myself with the kit.

My previous experiments didn't really produce the colour results I had in mind. I have since watched a lot of finish applications on YouTube so figured I would give it a go.

I started with a diluted black stain to highlight the grain. Once dry, I sanded well. I then applied a coat of Vintage Amber Colortone, sanded and re-applied. Did this three times. Then I gave the whole top a couple of coats of lemon yellow, sanding in between each time. Then I applied the Cherry Red to the outer edges, blending as I went with the Lemon Yellow to remove the defined edge. More sanding in between coats and re-applying till I was happy with how it looked. Hopefully I will be happy once the clear goes on...time will tell.

I have checked scale lengths on the neck and also center line alignment. I was happy with these and so now the neck and body are one. I will do the frets and neck setup once finished and assembled.

I started staining the back and neck tonight and will post a couple picks when I am happy with the colour. Here are a couple pics of the progress so far. Neck to body fit was pretty good. I transitioned it with a very small amount of filler. It will be Cherry Red at the join so lack of grain because of the filler should not be obvious.

[JohnH]

Colour is looking good!

[wazkelly]

Interesting how the grain texture looks more vertical directly below bridge and tail stop positions through to end pin location.

[FrankenWashie]

Thats some nice grain and some wonderful colour coming through Roly.

[Roly]

A couple of pics from the first lot of stain applications last night. It dries pretty quickly so I got a couple of layers on. I will sand it and continue tonight. I am unsure whether or not to add black to the outside edges yet.

[DarkMark]

Looking good.

[ILRGuitars]

I reckon adding the black would set off the black on the neck and headstock nicely. Just don't add too much.
A thin line would be all you need. Here's the back of mine:


From: Non Pitbull ES330 Tribute.

[Roly]

Looks good ILRGuitars but I think I am not going with the black.

This is getting pretty close I think. Tried to catch the last of the natural light.

[Roly]

I am considering some MOP inlays for the neck and headstock. While applying the stain the nut dislodged. Is MOP suitable for a nut or should I stick with bone?
Cheers

[ILRGuitars]

Bone for tone!