TLA-1F (First Build)

[jsergeant]

Thanks Drummerdude, that would be very greatly appreciated. I think I'd describe what I'm after to be an "unnatural finish" For a test run I'd be happy to see if the blue stands out at all, anywhere along this gradient really but I guess somewhere slightly right of middle https://goo.gl/images/cejzdL

If I had a piece of scrap I'd try out a range of options. My concern would be with the blue stain on the filler effecting the non-grain areas.

EDIT: keep in mind I have no idea what I'm doing. It could be that what I'm imagining isn't possible or will just look completely horrible

[Drummerdude]

No problem. It is very easy to do since you would be sanding back the filler only the blue would remain in the grain. I will try and try it tomorrow evening. I am leaving for a vacation on Thursday so I will try to do it before I go. I actually have to mix up some blue stain for my bass so I will add to some natural timbermate and give it a go.

[jsergeant]

No problem. It is very easy to do since you would be sanding back the filler only the blue would remain in the grain. I will try and try it tomorrow evening. I am leaving for a vacation on Thursday so I will try to do it before I go. I actually have to mix up some blue stain for my bass so I will add to some natural timbermate and give it a go.

Awesome thanks again. And no worries at all if you don't have time.

[Ricardo]

Just another idea to muddy the waters, if you want something to fill the hole in the neck pickup cavity and haven't ordered pickups yet, a standard size P90 fits beautifully in there. I put one in my TL-1 with just a little sanding and the sound is much more full than the standard tele neck pup. Bonus is the sound when you switch both pups together, still jangly but with more presence.
looks good without pickguard too.

[wokkaboy]

which photo is your TL-1 Ricardo ? they all look excellent. Might have to try that suggestion

[wazkelly]

Good idea Ricardo.

On my Blue Tele I bought a Strat mirror finish tremolo cover plate and was going to cut it down to size to hide most of the large neck PUP rout as it looked a lot like chrome. You can also buy brushed aluminium ones too but they chip very easily. Ended up taking the easy path and ran with the stock white one ply which looks ok. Thankfully the Swampy build doesn't have the P90 neck PUP rout and will be using one of those slim chrome mounting rings.

[Drummerdude]

Here you go Sergeant,
Here is what it would look like to grain fill with blue timbermate and sand back to only leave grain accented.
You can see the mixed color, applied and rubbed in grain, scrape off excess, and then sanded back.
Hope it helps

[jsergeant]

Legend. Thanks Drummerdude I love it, I think it'd make for an interesting looking guitar. My wife is scrunching up her face at it. Out of curiosity, what type of stain did you use?

[Drummerdude]

I used transfast water soluble dyes. You just mix them with warm water and you can make the color as light or dark as you like. I hope it helps..

[jsergeant]

Awesome very much appreciated. And yes very helpful. Thanks.