DTL-1 Ash body. First build

[Simon Barden]

Dingo Tone seems to have around a 50% success rate. When it works, it's fine, but by all accounts it seems very sensitive to temperature and humidity (or it maybe that different batches end up with different properties) and if they aren't in just the right window when applied, it can take ages to go hard. Sometimes it just stays tacky for ever.

If you still want to use it I'd definitely test it on some scrap wood first (use all the coats and let dry between each coat) before applying it to the guitar.

And yes, use the same finish on the maple board as on the back of the neck (regardless of what finish you chose to apply).

Your timbermate is pretty dark. The main grain pattern lines are also pretty close together, which is making it look even darker. For a good Springsteen butterscotch finish, you'd really need a different body, ideally swamp ash with a much wider-spaced grain pattern so there's a lot more basic wood and less grain. And maybe have used a lighter colour Timbermate. For more authenticity I'd use an amber tint nitro spray as well for the colour, not stain.

Why not give up on the Springsteen Esquire look for this one and concentrate on making the most of what you have? The next one can always be the Springsteen one.

[Johnny Bravo]

Thanks, Simon and Dozy - all great feedback.

I wish I'd asked earlier on this forum about recommendations for tackling the Springsteen idea - I was simply taking guidance from PBG when I bought the kit.

I agree that I probably have to massively temper my expectations now and will just chalk all the grain filling work up to experience. Lesson learned there...

Can I still achieve the Springsteen Esquire look like this if I decide just to go for a solid colour, then?

Otherwise, with what I'm working with and if I abandon the Springsteen idea, would I perhaps be better off going more along the lines of a burgundy or cherry? And, if I abandon the Dingotone, what finishes might I consider going after?

As for the neck, I saw a nice gentleman on the YouTubes who was using Boiled Linseed Oil. I have fond memories of my dearly departed dad trying to bring an old chair back to life using Linseed Oil, so there is a slight romanticised leaning towards that as a possible option (but I also understand that Tru Oil is all the rage). If I abandon the Springsteen, then I suppose I don't need to worry about the classic orangy-yellow neck, right?

Thanks, as ever and kind regards