Christodav's TL-1AR first build

[ILRGuitars]

Looking great Chris. It's all a learning process with a lot of enjoyment, doubt, frustration and satisfaction along the way. But she's coming along beautifully, she's going to look like a classic by the time your finished.

[Andy40]

Chris,
what DT colours are you using for the burst? I think it looks pretty good but the black stump could "blend" a bit better but you'll need a red, Black stump is too contrasty with CG and doesn't feather well, the red will help to feather the black.

Don't get me wrong it looks good.

Ok with the intensifying coats, don't worry about the gloss or uniform finish, each time you apply, you always get a bit of dust or lumpiness. I imagine it will take a week to cure (I would be very surprised if it took less time), then get some 1200 grit, or 2000 grit and wet sand in one direction to take off the dust particles, wipe excess off after light sanding all over then apply the next thin intensifier coat.

[christodav]

Chris,
what DT colours are you using for the burst? I think it looks pretty good but the black stump could "blend" a bit better but you'll need a red, Black stump is too contrasty with CG and doesn't feather well, the red will help to feather the black.

Don't get me wrong it looks good.

Ok with the intensifying coats, don't worry about the gloss or uniform finish, each time you apply, you always get a bit of dust or lumpiness. I imagine it will take a week to cure (I would be very surprised if it took less time), then get some 1200 grit, or 2000 grit and wet sand in one direction to take off the dust particles, wipe excess off after light sanding all over then apply the next thin intensifier coat.

Hey Andy,

On the last intensifying coat, I went heavy on the black to bring it in a bit. I got the same colours as you used with the red/outback mix. The red is there, but it's difficult to see what it really looks like in real life in those photos. I was having issues with covering the parts that didn't take well after the smooth sanding which were mainly in the black areas so I was concentrating on covering those areas. As a result, I have no doubt covered a portion of the transition colour when I did this. Rest assured, there will be more red in the next coat. Also to note, mine has heaps of CG on the body and the gold is much darker than what you have as far as I can tell. It wasn't intentional, it was just because I tried a few times to get it right and the yellow had a lot of coats.
Lastly, don't forget how little finish you actually get to see on a Tele.

We'll see what happens in the next round, but I am hoping for more red.
I just took these pics. That is kinda more like what I have. Also, I guess the flash kinda shows off the black and washes out the red in the intensifying coat and because the CG is very deep and dark it's difficult to see? It'll be interesting to see what it's like once it has been sanded.





BTW, Andy, your experiences really helped as I am fairly pleased with the finish. It's not so bad. I guess I went nice and thin with that last coat.

Chris

[Andy40]

Chris, you have done really well mate. especially for a first time DT user. I really like the deep colour of the CG. It suits the tele. Really its an artform and never the two will be the same. (Wazkelly did two different Explorers at the same time with two different CG batches and they aren't even the same). I also know that photos sometimes don't do it justice especially when you hold the DT in different light. Digging that pearloid pickguard and Babicz bridge

[FrankenWashie]

Still digging this, great work Chris!

[christodav]

Also, different timber would produce different colour tones. We'll see what happen with this "last" intensifying coat and see if I can improve. Don't forget, I still have the back and sides to work on! I still have a long way to go yet!
My next little job will be to find a piece of timber to fit in the neck pocket to make finishing easier. I can then use my vice or clamps so as to preserve my work whilst working on the other side.

Thanks again for the encouragement gentlemen!

Chris

[Simon Barden]

I find it difficult to get bursts showing up in a life-like fashion in photos as well. They always seem smoother in real life than on a digital photo. I blame the pixels.

You're doing great, Chris.

[wazkelly]

Looks like it has just been rescued from a fire.

[christodav]

Thanks Waz.

[Chuck]

I really dig the look Chris - it may not be a text book burst, but it's got a really unique aged feel to it. I wonder if we sometimes get caught up in recreating a commercial look and feel to our instruments rather than embracing the personal touches. We can always buy a cheap sunburst tele for roughly the same cost as a PB kit, but I'd take yours over that any day! I hope that makes sense!