Quote Originally Posted by jonwhitear View Post
Oz, I've recently built a DTL-1 as well, and it just happens to be blue. I also went with the Grovers and Wilkinson bridge, but got the Hot Classic Toneriders. This is my "go to" guitar at the moment - all the spank of a "Carry On" film, and more twang than my home-brew. I'm looking forward to following your build.

One thing to bear in mind is that they're fairly heavy - mine weighs in at about 4Kg. That doesn't bother me, as most of the time it's on my knee, but if yours is going to be played live a lot, you might want to think about weight relief.

I was really happy with the flame in the neck on mine. I used a very light/dilute Feast Watson Golden Teak stain, and finished with Tru Oil, which together brought the flame out very nicely. I wouldn't have thought Timbermate would have much effect on maple, as there's not much in the way of pores to fill. Why don't you want to use Tru Oil on yours?

The body, on the other hand, will be a great candidate for some Timbermate. The ash is really porous. I think I applied two or three coats of Ebony on mine, left to dry for a couple of days and then sanded back between coats, and still didn't end up with a completely level finish. I think it would take a lot of TO to level the finish out if you don't fill it first.

Are you doing a string through?
Too heavy for the end user....now for me or will be for sale.

Not string through...top mount compensated bridge.

I like the cedar timbermate and how it sits in the grain...on the neck I use a slightly thinner mix...the body gets a custard mix twice...sanded at 240 and then again and sanded at 320. Not too much moisture....and I fill holes with paper that I pull out soon as the slurry is on.

I am thinking maybe a little darker golden teak than yours....or even some Color tone vintage amber....but definitely under Tru oil.

Back of the neck will be satin...for ease of playing. Maybe I will do the whole neck in satin and then just buff up the headstock to a gloss.