String-through affects the tone more than sustain. Top-loading is supposed to give a slightly brighter more janglier tone, whereas standard rear-loading has a bit more in the mids. But you can change the tone far more by changing the saddle material.
Good to know as I am unsure when the ferrules will arrive so may have to stick with top loading if I finish before then.
Watching the video I don't mind the slight pop the Graphite sadles have to them, although I'm a bit typically where I did like the "Twang" the brass provided.

Avoid drilling these holes a larger diameter than the holes in the base plate, otherwise the strings will keep catching on the underside of the baseplate when restringing.
Im glad you mentioned as I was going to use a size pretty flush to the bridge plate holes as my other bits arnt long enough to go through. Will have to get one so I can line it up with the plate like you said, that's a really good idea

Looking at the amount of thread remaining on intonation screw of the B & E saddle, you may have been able to move the bridge ahead enough to avoid that clash with the routing. That said, I don't know where your scale length mark fell in relation to that saddle position, but better to have more adjustment than you need than not enough.
I think you are right on that one, I had it so the saddle was about half way and got it pretty bang on to scale length but could have moved it back and adjusted the saddle. Thought it would be better to keep it pretty even either way in case I did get it wrong haha
I've been needing a dremil for a while now so good excuse to get one right haha

Your reaction to your mistake of swearing, composing and compromising sounds alot like me when I make mistakes haha good to know I'm not alone. I was planning on using a jigsaw but do you guys find that over aggressive?

Speaking of mistakes, when I previously got too enthusiastic and coated & gave a light sand I eventually started to get wear marks and I lost some of the grain.. Has anyone experienced this and or have a solution?
I'm thinking a finer grit sandpaper maybe like 220 but don't want to make the surface too glossy as I want the stain to take
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When I run a damp rag over it its not as bad but still worried it will stain solid. I am going for the slight relic look but want to make it natural wear not obvious ive hit it with sandpaper
Sorry for the bombardment of questions I've had but you guys have been very helpful along my journey