Hi, I am starting my build diary on the day I ordered my first PBG kit, a FS-1. I am from india, Chennai (Madras) to be more specific. I am an orthopaedic surgeon, obsessed about guitars that now after few years of learning, I have been smitten about building guitars. I did build a partscaster last year without any experience from a Finished GFS kit and a Chinese neck which came out better than I expected.

Now moving on to my next build after so much research. I dont have a Hollow body in my collection and so went ahead and chose a FS-1 despite advice from PBG site on not to buy a Hollowbody if completely new to building.

Guitar kits, tools are hard to get in india. Even for my previous build I had to source things from all over the world. I really have only experience working with bones and never on wood. This is going to be my first experience in glueing the neck, staining the guitar and finishing the guitar

I am slightly overwhelmed. I will for sure need more help than I think. I hope to learn a lot from this building experience. I have been lurking in this forum since evening looking at all the starcaster build diaries of others and every one seems to have done a fantastic job.

Keeping my fingers crossed to recieve a good kit and I am very excited to start my build.

I have a few questions.

Most of the stains that are available easily abroad are not available in India. The PBG too doesn't ship the dingo tones and truoils internationally. I am looking at pointers to get the colours in india. I did search the Internet. There are wood stains available in India in name of

1. MRF vapocure Wood stains
2. Asian paints wood tech wood stains
3. Berger wood stains

I am not sure if I can use one of these.

Can someone help me by looking at these in Internet and tell.me if I can use these to stain my FS-1 kit? Or if not what brand stains do you usually prefer? Alcohol based or water based?

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to interacting with you all

Drashkum