Gav's STA-1

[gavinturner]

@tony - thanks for the kind words . @stan - thanks for the vote for off-white plastics!
We will see how the aged cream looks when it arrives I guess (fingers crossed).

A question to the group. I was planning to spray acrylic clear coats on this bad boy instead of using naughty oil. Another option would be DT clear coats. I want to use something that is going to get deep in there and pop the grain as much as possible. TO is really good at that, but I can't use it for this guitar as it turns the blue dye green.

What is the concensus out there? What is the best grain popping clear finish out there?
I would really appreciate your thoughts!

cheers,
Gav.

[bargeloobs]

Is that the one with the ebony timbermate, it looks absolutely stunning. One can only imagine what's gonna happen once the clear goes on, awesome!

[dingobass]

You might have to go for the ac... acr.... You know, the stuff that will extend your tenure in the NR...
DT, being slightly yellow due to the oils may turn the blue greenish as well, unfortunately

[stan]

I dont believe what I just read, DB suggested the use of a black list product.....

Hmmm, should Gav buy it from B#$%^&*s as well...?

[Brendan]

Stan, careful, otherwise you could be done for contempt of court, with DB as judge, jury and gaoler.

[stan]

... probably executioner too, I'll stay quiet now...

[keloooe]

You might have to go for the ac... acr.... You know, the stuff that will extend your tenure in the NR...
DT, being slightly yellow due to the oils may turn the blue greenish as well, unfortunately

DB how could you?!

[gavinturner]

@bargey - yep this is the ebony timbermate. looks dull now that everthing is dry, but hopefully will deepen with clear.
@db - thanks for the note on using the unmentionable. I have never used this on a dyed finish so i don't know how it affects the griain. sounds like my only option with the blue though!
@stan & @brendan - you guys kill me!

cheers,
Gav.

[Rob L]

Gav, I don't think clear acry. will affect the grain. Just my opinion but this beautiful blue is screaming for a glassy gloss finish with that great grain showing through.
I'm not a fan of pearloid but I think a white or even a black pearloid pickguard would look fantastic.
Have you thought about maybe sanding the headstock back to natural and clear coating it?

Forgive me for the natural headstock. Me personally I like all my necks and headstocks to be natural wood. No stains, dyes, paint, acry. nothing especially the neck.

[gavinturner]

hey no worries @rob, thanks for the feedback!

I've built 3 teles with natural necks and headstocks and I really like the look. For the strat I was trying to go a little different - more like a vintage strat look. In hindsight it probably would have been a good idea to keep at least the neck natural as it's a big contrast now with the body colour. Well, it's done now and there's no going back - the TO is soaked in and it's here to stay. The more I think about changing the headstock colour the more reticent I get. Maybe on the next strat!

cheers,
Gav.