My First Build: Which Red Is The Best Red?

[GregLane]

Hi JL
I have only just caught up with your build diary so I may a bit late to talk "red".
My signature at the bottom shows my two builds that are different reds. My minds eye does not see guitars in any other colour than red so the next on will be too.

I have used real colortone imported from the USA. Put it on at 15 to 1. I think the stuff in Aus has been diluted to at least 30 to one. Although that is also a recommendation from StewMac.

My LP is Red with a touch of Red Mahogany to take out a bit of Cherry. I wiped on and off two coats to give the grain a bit of a head start. I thought Black would be too dark for what I wanted for the LP. All mixed with metho.

The ST I wanted really dark so used red mahogany on black timbermate grain fill. Really happy with the result.

The guitars were finished with Tru-Oil. A long but productive process. The tru-oil is very forgiving.

All the gory details are described in the build diaries.

Good Luck. It will be worth the effort.

[JohnathanL]

Hi JL
I have only just caught up with your build diary so I may a bit late to talk "red".
My signature at the bottom shows my two builds that are different reds. My minds eye does not see guitars in any other colour than red so the next on will be too.

I have used real colortone imported from the USA. Put it on at 15 to 1. I think the stuff in Aus has been diluted to at least 30 to one. Although that is also a recommendation from StewMac.

My LP is Red with a touch of Red Mahogany to take out a bit of Cherry. I wiped on and off two coats to give the grain a bit of a head start. I thought Black would be too dark for what I wanted for the LP. All mixed with metho.

The ST I wanted really dark so used red mahogany on black timbermate grain fill. Really happy with the result.

The guitars were finished with Tru-Oil. A long but productive process. The tru-oil is very forgiving.

All the gory details are described in the build diaries.

Good Luck. It will be worth the effort.

Hey mate, thank you so much for the input! I've literally just finished with the angelus leather dye and I must say I'm quite impressed by it. I used the applicator but that was way too botchy so I ended up using a rag to blend. I'll probably be sanding back a little int he dark spots tomorrow and hit it again with the cloth. Much better blend.

I will however, be using truoil for the finish. any hot tips on those?