First Build: TL-1 - Let the fun begin

[juanitasanch]

This is looking great. The experimentation is half the fun.

Bench is cool as well. Certainly makes life easier having a decent work area.

EDIT: Call me crazy..but that blue colour of the tape looks really nice against the brown. If you were super keen you could two tone it......

Thanks Sonic..
I think the blue looks good too! thinking of a binding but not being familiar with doing binding thinking do I the whole side in blue? what are your thoughts?

[Fretworn]

This is guitar is going to look wild.

[Simon Barden]

really nice veneer you've used there. And I like the walnut stain.

Did you get the Birchwood Casey sanding sealer/filler to use before the Tru-Oil goes on? I'd recommend it, using two coats and then sanding that before applying the Tru-Oil. It really helps stop the first coats of Tru-Oil sink in to the wood.

But I'd finish the rest of the body with stain or any other finish you plan to apply before putting any Tru-Oil on, so you can apply it over the whole body at once.

[juanitasanch]

really nice veneer you've used there. And I like the walnut stain.

Did you get the Birchwood Casey sanding sealer/filler to use before the Tru-Oil goes on? I'd recommend it, using two coats and then sanding that before applying the Tru-Oil. It really helps stop the first coats of Tru-Oil sink in to the wood.

But I'd finish the rest of the body with stain or any other finish you plan to apply before putting any Tru-Oil on, so you can apply it over the whole body at once.

Hi Simon..thanks for the tips...I didn't realise there was a birchwood casey sanding sealer. This is a test guitar body so not too fazed if a bit rough. Really appreciating all the hints shared.

[Simon Barden]

There is. You'd only need a small 3oz bottle. Even with one coat of the BC sanding sealer on my ES-1, the Tru-Oil still sunk in quite a lot, so I'd advise 2 coats. It saves having to add a lot of Tru-Oil coats just to get the finish level.

[phrozin]

interesting build you dont need a grain filler with basswood or maple its a tight grain you will only be giving yourself work you dont need and if your going over it with a lacquer it will swell the timber mate and give you issues down the track just spray it strait up give a couple more coats than normal, give it a wet&dry sand with 600 after 6 coats which will flatten every thing for you then another 3 coats as you'll need to wet sand it with 1200/1500/2000 what ever floats your boat i use 1500 or 2000 before the polishing stage, leave it for a good week if your using spray gun and 2 weeks if your using rattle can, to do basswood sucks as a nice grainy wood if your trying to bring out the grain I haven't really found a good reliable way to do it yet and i have been trying lol

you could give it a coat of binder if you feel you need it i don't use it on basswood

so far great work you look like you got you're head around it 👌

[nitroburner1000]

Hi Juanitasanch, just wanted to say how impressed i am with your professionalism, veneering is not an easy thing to do but youve cracked it, great job, the guitar looks great.

Hi everyone..Well I have been patiently working through different finishes with the Basswood trying different grain filler, sealers, stains and oils in the end...I found the result not what I had hoped for. Main issue seems grain filler not great as the grain is tight, the stains didn't apply as I hoped.

I do like the blue and dremel..so haven't dismissed that concept yet

However today's adventure was veneer...Tasmanian Blackwood.I purchases some samples from the local wood merchant (always fun) and fitted to the body of the guitar that I"m practicing on.

I tried a range of fillers and stains on swatches from acrylic paint mixes with fine plaster board filler to timer mate.
I really liked the oak timber mate, a subtle contrast without making the wood grain look 'dirty/muddy'.

Here are the results from today...oh and a big thanks to my friend who actually cut the 'aluminium pick guard' (very cool)

I'm also seeking any feedback on use of binding as a feature for the guitar body...I'm thinking a wild contrast possibly 'toffee apple red' or maybe even the sky blue..

veneer adhered and trimming to shape


All finished



Grain filling with timber mate (oak) diluted with water, massaged by hand, then scrapped with an hotel key card..lol


Testing with grain fillers and colours


Sanding down to 240grit


Ready to stain


Lint free cloth, long even strokes of Walnut (waterbased) - got a true oil kit from a gun store (that was an experience)


Two coats of Walnut no oil yet. Did a test on hardware (got to like the aluminium pick guard (too have final polish) Pretty Happy with my effort and what I've learnt today



If you are wondering on the other swatch that is Maple, so open to thoughts on each. Like the workbench...I made it

[juanitasanch]

Hi Simon..I've ordered some sanding sealer...have I read correctly you apply this after the stain, then sand before the Tru Oil? I did google and couldn't see it clearly detailed. I usually seal before stain but hoping you can help out here..thanks

There is. You'd only need a small 3oz bottle. Even with one coat of the BC sanding sealer on my ES-1, the Tru-Oil still sunk in quite a lot, so I'd advise 2 coats. It saves having to add a lot of Tru-Oil coats just to get the finish level.

[juanitasanch]

Hi phrozin
thanks for info share, I'm going an oil finish and trying lots of different swatch effects...got to say have found the basswood a bit temperamental to work with but hey...always up for a challenge. Thanks for the encouraging words too

interesting build you dont need a grain filler with basswood or maple its a tight grain you will only be giving yourself work you dont need and if your going over it with a lacquer it will swell the timber mate and give you issues down the track just spray it strait up give a couple more coats than normal, give it a wet&dry sand with 600 after 6 coats which will flatten every thing for you then another 3 coats as you'll need to wet sand it with 1200/1500/2000 what ever floats your boat i use 1500 or 2000 before the polishing stage, leave it for a good week if your using spray gun and 2 weeks if your using rattle can, to do basswood sucks as a nice grainy wood if your trying to bring out the grain I haven't really found a good reliable way to do it yet and i have been trying lol

you could give it a coat of binder if you feel you need it i don't use it on basswood

so far great work you look like you got you're head around it 👌

[Andyxlh]

I Love that shiny pickguard with the chrome hardware, gonna look good!