Strat au naturale (ST-1L) - First build, WIP

[ozbird]

A couple of "before" body shots.

Four random pieces - but a darker, harder piece in the critical centre section.

Basswood is considered a "boring, bland" timber, but the grain and (mild) figure looks pretty good!
Enough to justify a simple, clear finish e.g. Tru-Oil (maybe with a splash of coloured dye underneath.)
The holes for the earth wires and output jack are oversized and rough, but meh.

[ihasmario]

Pretty nice looking body. Love the thread name lol

[ozbird]

(deleted)

[ozbird]

Quote from ihasmario on June 9, 2014, 20:33[/b]
Pretty nice looking body. Love the thread name lol

The more I look at it, the less convinced I am about colouring the body.

It natural basswood colour isn't far off "Vintage Blonde", and Phil's wax finish looks great too!


The two "natural finish" options I'm considering are either white shellac, or Tru-Oil (which I'll use on the maple neck anyway.)

My brother used shellac on his JBA-4 "Jenny" bass; it looks great, but I don't like the colour (orange.)
U-Beaut's white shellac sounds ideal: "a bit harder [than other shellacs], shines a bit brighter, is completely free from wax and will not change the natural, wet colour of wood."

Tru-Oil looks good too - but it might darken the colour too much?

[ozbird]

I haven't had much time to work on sanding, but going back to coarse grits and sanding gently by hand seems to be working. Sand smarter, not harder... That said, there are some annoying tool marks that haven't shifted yet.

It turns out that the "glue marks" on the back are actually filler. Annoying, but no biggy.

[ozbird]

A quick update.

I've decided to go with a Tru-Oil finish for the body and neck ("Tru-Dat"?); I'm very happy with the results so far. (Who says basswood is "bland"?)

[west0288]

Looking really good, mate.

That figure in the basswood is surprisingly really, really nice. But the clincher is definitely that maple neck. Glorious figuring there.

Quick question though, but are you planning to shape your headstock? I think it would really make the guitar look all class with a sweet shape up there.

But, I digress. Looking good man.

[ozbird]

That figure in the basswood is surprisingly really, really nice. But the clincher is definitely that maple neck. Glorious figuring there.

Thanks! The photos don't do it justice. I knew it had potential after wiping it down with methylated spirits (tip!), but was still pleasantly surprised. The body is a bit of a mixed bag with the four random(?) pieces of wood, but even the "boring" bits have some interesting patterns and textures.

N.B. The body isn't finished, yet. It's had about four coats of Tru-Oil so far, rubbed back a couple of times with steel wool. It needs a few more coats for a smooth finish.


The maple neck is nice, too. It has a broad tiger stripe effect across the grain all the way down to the base, and interesting topographic map grain patterns underneath.

Word of the day, Chatoyancy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatoyancy

Quick question though, but are you planning to shape your headstock? I think it would really make the guitar look all class with a sweet shape up there.

To be honest Brodie, I'm a bit terrified of messing it up - so have put it off as long as possible...
Have coping saw, will cope - right? :?

I've pencilled in a basic shape, with several millimetres of margin. Cut, file, sand etc.

[ozbird]

I'm a bit terrified of messing it up - so have put it off as long as possible...

Don't get me started on drilling the neck etc.

[gavinturner]

Looking great Ozbird. Who would have thought Tru-oil on natural basswood would look so great? Fantastic job.

cheers,
Gav.