Couldn't resist seeing it would look with the pickguard and bridge.
Next planned step, after letting it rest a good long while, will be to add AquaCoat grain filler.
Once the pore filler is in place, I'll make a decision about pre-drilling at least for the bridge and the neck.
Would welcome advice. I know that the board is a bit split on pre-drilling. I have always drilled after the finish is on, but there were a couple of close calls on the last build that have me thinking about pre-drilling. Still debating with myself on that. Paulownia is pretty soft, and it's easy to mark inadvertently. Finish might actually make it easier to handle without damaging when I get to that phase.
At the moment I am thinking I will pore-fill first, then decide about pre-drilling at least the holes for the bridge. Would welcome the wisdom of folks who have worked with pine or paulownia or kiri or any other soft wood.
Also, for those who pre drill... Do you pre drill and mount the neck too? On all my builds so far, I have had the neck bolted in place before drilling for the bridge. It's been one of the reasons for not drilling until the finish is on. Do folks who pre-drill actually mount the neck first?