This will be my first build

It's on its way as I type this so I'll post some pics when it arrives

The current plan is:
Black Body (using dingotone Black Stump)
Black pickguard
clear neck
gold hardware

The basic idea being to get the gold hardware to really stand out from the black body

I haven't decided yet whether to do the headstock in clear or black to contrast the machine heads.

In reading around I've seen people mention using Timbermate to highlight the grain. Would this show up with a black stain? If so, what colour Timbermate should I look at? (Ash body that I haven't seen yet)

This is as much about learning for me as ending up with a great guitar

Maddog