Chambered Black Korina hardtail Strat - more progress

[stefan]

As this is no longer 'out of the box', have continued this http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=15629.0 here Better photos too.

Before:

 

[stefan]

After a light sand and first coat of oil:

 

[Patriot54]

That korina is awesome, especially the split between dark and light on the back. But I was distracted by the "sand papper" in the background.

 

[stefan]

Haha, I saw that in the photo too, we didn't label the container it's not ours! Honest!

 

[Patriot54]

Doesn't matter if you use sand paper or sand papper, that Strat is gonna look sweet.  :laughing7:

I also saw your Telestrat in the other thread - that's a cool guitar too. I'm also planning on building my version of a Telestrat after I finish my 5 current projects.

 

[stefan]

Hey thanks. The telestrat is really heavy but sounds and plays great.

The chambered Korina is featherweight in comparison!  Seems a little softer than I was expecting for a dense wood; the Telestrat is made out of hardwood and is very solid.

 

[stefan]

Rubbed back after 1st coat of oil, mazing how much the grain stands out even now

(phone cam pic again but you get the idea)

 

[graceshredder]

:kewlpics:  Wow!  That wood is staggeringly beautiful!  Some more info on the hardware, pick-ups, etc . . . please.  And the neck? Oh, and go easy on the sand papper usage as that stuff is brewtal on would.

 

[NonsenseTele]

Looking really good!

 

[SustainerPlayer]

Hello!  :icon_thumright:

 

[rapfohl09]

All of this Korina is going to kill me. I want one so bad. This is going to be an awesome looking guitar!

 

[stefan]

Wow, thank guys!

As requested, specs of the body are:

• 1 piece Black Korina body with unique choice top
• 720 mod
• Comfort contour
• Drilled for narrow-spaced strat

I'm oiling it with a tung-based indoor furniture-finishing oil, still had some left from 12 years ago when I made my last one I'm applying the oil with a rag and rubbing back with steel wool, read this on the net and it seems to be working so far.

Hardware will all be black, wood-mounted humbuckers. It's getting a Hipshot fixed bridge (on its way, thanks Cagey). Single volume (I never use tone, that's what volume and pickup selector is for), LP-style pickup selector and probably some mini-toggles for series/parallel.

Haven't bought pickups yet. My current axe has a Seymour Duncan SH-5/11/14 with Alnico IV magnet swap in the bridge and a blue Lace in the neck. I might do the same thing with a lace dually in the neck (blue/burgandy?) so I can be scientific about comparing the two guitars, but still get some new tones. Alternatively the SD P90/rail pickup looks interesting.

Neck... I want a Bloodwood one, there was one late last year in the showcase for a while that I should have bought; when I finally decided to get it it was gone

 

[stefan]

Well, an update.

I'm not sure if the tung-based oil I have been using is naturally yellowy (looks like olive oil), or darkened with age (i've had it for a long time), or was just previously thinned too much and taken more coats than it should have... but it looks more like those 'before'  wet pics now than that lovely one of it hanging up after being rubbed down. Perhaps Korina is just a lot more porous than the hardwood I had used this on previously.

On another note, I did it. Went ahead and bought this

Pau Ferro/Ebony, Standard thin, 1 11/16". Added 6115 SS frets and Graphtech XL nut

 

[TroubledTreble]

That is a spectacular body! So so nice. I love that neck too!

It's amazing how the korina pops when oiled. From starting out as a fairly grayish light brown to a rich deep brown after finishing. So glad to see this get the oil treatment!

 

[stefan]

Look what arrived today, these crappy phone pics don't do it justice, the neck is amazing, so incredibly smooth!!!

The body is finally coming together too. I had some issues with the oiling - either I had thinned it last time I used it on hardwood so it was being absorbed too much, or putting too much on and it wasn't curing correctly, but rubbing it back between coasts (even just polishing!) seemed to take it back too much and it was taking forever. Everything I read said to rub it back between coats but I found that wiping the excess off after oiling and NOT rubbing back at all once dry started to work. Just needs a little more on the back and it's done.

I have nearly everything, just waiting on pickups in the post

Trying to decide on switching, not sure If I'm keen on the LP style toggle I bought so I might used mini-toggles instead.

 

[m4rk0]

That is going to be perfect!!! Love it!

 

[NonsenseTele]

+1!!!

 

[stefan]

I think the oiling is done now, just have to wait for it to cure properly. Most parts are here now too.

I've decided to use mini toggles for pickup selection and series/single/parallel on each pickup. Bought some from Japan, before buying I had concerns that they might be too finicky for pickup selection but the action is really nice and very positive

 

[stefan]

I took some photos of possible different switch locations, anyone want to help me decide? I'm leaning towards #2, #4 or #5.

 

[lafromla1]

I'm liking #2 as well....