ES5V first build

[DarkMark]

Ok. Hadn’t actually considered it, but I’m sticking with the stained plan.

[FrankenWashie]

I knew someone would pick me up on that as soon as I posted it.... I will stain it.

I would almost have said, give it a white flat coat and a matching binding to the body and call it did. It would be a great counterpoint to the darker overall theme.

[Simon Barden]

Lighter would make a nice contrast. Maybe not that pale, but maybe an amber tint. Or make two, a dark and a light, and swap them occasionally. People will think you've got two similar guitars!

[DarkMark]

Maybe I could build two guitars and tell my wife I’m just swapping scratch plates.

[blinddrew]

Maybe I could build two guitars and tell my wife I’m just swapping scratch plates.

+1000!
With additional hidden text to accomodate for my pithyness

[blinddrew]

Scratch plate idea.

Lots of options really, pale wood, white-to-match-the-binding, aged cream*, amber-to-match-the-burst. I like the shaping as well, I've gone for a stubbier approach to keep the f-hole clear.

* not the bovine byproduct, yuck.

[DarkMark]

Wow, I’ve just seen how binding is attached. I’m going to give that a go on the plate. Acetone/Tarzan grip? I’m leaning towards acetone to avoid glue marks. Anyone with experience/advice is welcome to tell me what I’m getting myself into.

[blinddrew]

I reckon some people without experience could give you a good hint as well...

[DarkMark]

I’m glad there is someone else doing one of these builds (with a very different approach) at the same time as me blinddrew. I think you’re going to finish before me and I look forward to seeing the end result.
Really great to see everyone’s suggestions on how they envision the plate. It’s caused me to reappraise my plan and make changes. I’m having a lot of fun.

[blinddrew]

Doubt it, I've got shed-loads left to do and I'm running out of holiday...
Besides which, I'm deliberately running behind you so I can learn from your efforts!
At the moment I'm getting 1 coat of oil on per day, things don't dry so fast up here. The neck has a dozen coats and is due a sanding tomorrow (1200 grit I think), the body needs another couple of coats before it gets some thou grit. After that we're onto 50-50 coats and working up through the grades. Knobs, scratch plate and truss-rod cover need differing amounts of attention. Pots and cap should arrive in the next couple of days and wiring will be the next fun and games.