Well ... finally finished it!
The pickup plate has worked and covered the large rout.
I managed to leave the spalted cap mainly uncovered.
The high G was a bugger to tune up but its intonation is good. (Need PPE when tuning the high G though!)
And, more importantly, it sounds like a 12 string. All jangly.
Very happy overall with it.
Glad you finished it and it's all working.
I can't help but think that the ply surround rather detracts from the looks than exposing more of the top adds. I'd suggest either making another one but with a more appropriate spalted veneer on the top, or thinking about cutting down a standard pickguard to expose more of the top, along the lines of the Tuff Dog Tele (though you can always be more extreme if you want).
Thanks for the feedback Simon.
Bit difficult to try to match the spalting. I was contemplating doing another in black to see if it sat against the spalting better.
Great! You've also got the benefit of the kit 12-string bridge only being suitable for left-handed use. it's missing the tapped threads in some holes that allow it to be set up for right handed intonation with the thick/thin string fore/aft saddle positions swapped over.
Good work!
I also prefer the new scratch plate.
Making the world a better place; one guitar at a time...