So after finishing the TLA-1 build I really wanted to try a semi-hollow ES build to practice for making a ES-1TL kit that is on order. Thought I would try a kit from Stewmac just to see if there were any differences.
So kit was ordered from Stewmac that was on sale and it arrived in 4 days (Friday night order, Tuesday afternoon delivery) from the US, during COVID lockdown! That part was impressive. It came well packaged in a foam inlay and no damage from the shipping.
I have also ordered some upgrades to tonerider AC2 pickups from Pitbull and black hardware from the cream and gold that came with the kit.
The plan is to pop the flame maple veneer with some black water based dye and then stain red fading to natural in the middle. Leave the back and sides natural mahogany with tru oil finish all over.