Build #4

[mullyman]

Hey, guys, long time, not see. Happy new year to all.

Ok, down to business. I'm gearing up for my 4th build, and anyone that knows me from around here won't be surprised that it's going to be an EVH Frankenstein. The biggest difference between mine and the original will be that mine will have an insanely figured flame maple neck/fingerboard with abalone dots. I don't really mind if the neck isn't portrayed accurately.

My question to you guys is this, for the body, do I go with Alder or Swamp Ash? Thoughts, opinions?
MULLY
why doesn't my sig show??

 

[jackthehack]

Since you're going a solid color, go alder and save the time/trouble of filling the swamp adh grain.

 

[Cagey]

Welcome back, Mullyman! Long time no see! Hope everything is going well for you.

If I was going to spend the money on an "insanely figured" Maple neck, I wouldn't put abalone inlays on it. Too ostentatious, and would take away from the figuring. Do side dots only and let the Maple speak for itself.

As for the body, I agree with Jackinthehack - use Alder.

 

[AutoBat]

Welcome back!
If you're the one finishing it, Alder. If you're hiring out and there's no price difference: whichever you'd like.
Flame is good.  What era headstock will you be using?

I haven't a clue as to where your signature ran off.

 

[mullyman]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I won't be doing the painting myself. It's interesting that the 3 replies to this went to Alder. I asked a few people over here, Japanese guys, and all of them were saying ash before I even got the question out of my mouth. Very interesting. Cultural difference? I've also done a little more research since I posted that message above and have found that the original Frankenstein is an ash body. I think in the spirit of EVH I'll go with ash.

Cagey, I'm totally in love with highly figured necks and abalone dots. I think they play off of each other so well. I'm not totally against no face dots though. I'll think about that.

MULLY

 

[Ddbltrbl]

Well, I'm in Japan and I vote for Alder, no question!! But, I probably don't count as a cultural data point.  :laughing7:
I don't mind abalone, but agree that no facedots would be best!  :guitarplayer2:

 

[alterbridgefan]

Since you're doing a solid color, I vote figured redwood for the body, and I think star inlays would look best on the neck.

 

[AutoBat]

Since you're doing a solid color, I vote figured redwood for the body, and I think star inlays would look best on the neck.

 

[Pelagaard]

Since you're doing a solid color, I vote figured redwood for the body, and I think star inlays would look best on the neck.

QFT

 

[Alfang]

Hey Mully, I did a frankenstrat paint job a few years back, you gotta paint it like the black and white one first, then re-mask and shoot the red. So you gotta get photos of the black and white guitar first

I studied a lot of photos to get as close as I could, and it paid off quite well, it looks really good.

And my 2 cents, it would look better with NO fret markers, besides, what ever you do on the neck can be easily changed, painting the body will be your hardest part.

Good luck, keep us up to date

 

[mullyman]

Hey Mully, I did a frankenstrat paint job a few years back, you gotta paint it like the black and white one first, then re-mask and shoot the red. So you gotta get photos of the black and white guitar first

I studied a lot of photos to get as close as I could, and it paid off quite well, it looks really good.

And my 2 cents, it would look better with NO fret markers, besides, what ever you do on the neck can be easily changed, painting the body will be your hardest part.

Good luck, keep us up to date

Thanks, man. Actually, I'm having it painted at www.meanstreetguitars.com. Mitchel does pretty good work.
MULLY