Teleburster TL-1A aka G-special

[WeirdBits]

24hrs later, glue/sawdust and whiteout layer carefully sanded back to reveal… filled inlay!




The fill match isn't perfect, but it's pretty close. The real test will be once I put some Wudtone on it. As you can see in the pics, that super glue welling up that I was worried about has prevented the filler from going into a couple of small areas which makes it look like there are some gaps around the inlay, but actually all solid… it's just a little bit of clear super glue in a couple of spots. Oh well, not terrible for a first attempt.

[WeirdBits]

In keeping with the 'test it here in case I want to do it on a later build', I decided to try my hand at blackening the truss rod adjustment slot/hole. I didn't want to use paint, and I wasn't sure I could get it black enough with Wudtone's BMW… so I decided to roll the dice and try using some fingerboard black (aka Fiebing's Leather Dye). First, a thorough sanding and some corrective reshaping of a slightly misshapen adjustment slot was required.



Then, careful taping up and preparation with the necessary tools… yep, a couple of cotton Q-tips was what I would be using. Definitely wear gloves, clothes you're not fond of and proceed with caution... this dye really does stain. I only used less than 1 drop for this job.



I was packin' it as I started applying the dye, as I did not want to make a mess of it. Trying to get nice crisp lines without wobbles, wiggles and bleeding lines was freaking me out. I was really concerned that there could be some bleed-through with the dye, particularly at the top of the hole closest to the nut. Sure enough, despite trying to avoid that area, there was some faint bleed through at the top of the hole, and as it bled up from inside the hole it can't be removed by sanding. But, it's only very faint so I think I can live with it.

[WeirdBits]

Time to stick my neck out…

I decided to go with the Aged Vintage Yellow Wudtone, as I thought that would be a better match for the BMW/Goldenrod burst on the body than a more yellow neck. I sanded to 240 on the back of the neck and headstock, 320 on the front of the headstock (with the inlay polished up carefully with some higher grades), and the fretboard and dots sanded to progressively to 400 and then 600 and 800 on the dots.

I've only done one coat of the AVY so far, and unless the colour fades dramatically over the next few days or when I steel wool it, I think I will stop at just that one coat (I guess I'll have to see what it looks like against the body too). To my eye, the colour looks pretty damn good already and I'm not sure I want it any darker. The fretboard got a light coat too, and looks good as well. The fretboard won't be clear coated, and will instead just get a dose of Dr. Ducks. Pics:





The inlay looks completely different at various angles, from really black to Abalone pinks and greens. The filler hasn't taken quite as much colour as I wanted, but it's not far off, so I'm happy enough with it.

[WeirdBits]

More pics:






And now we're up to date.

[GlennGP]

Lots of firsts, being done pretty well. Good on you Scott, looking good!

[Andyport]

Well done Scott, looking superb.
That inlay has come up a treat.
l love all that fiddly detail stuff!!

[Tim]

Nice work Scott. Looks amazing

[gavinturner]

Scott your inlay looks superb! Great job.

Cheers,
Gavin.

[lawry]

That has come up a treat Scot. I'm particularly envious of the inlay you have done on the headstock. So much cooler than a decal. But there's no way I would even think about attempting that.

[stan]

terrific work Scott, love the inlay