First Build - New to the forum

[Scuffcakes]

Hello all.  I've been reading stuff here for a little while and decided to register and share my first build.  I'll be moving along pretty slowly.  My plan is to take my time with each part while saving up money to get the next thing needed.

I'm starting off with a mahogany Explorer body from the showcase.  The first pic is right outta the box.  I stained it with some hardware store stain, grain filled, sanded and stained again for the second pic.  Third is after several coats of rattle-can satin polyurethane with sanding in-between. I'll follow that up with gloss polyurethane and lots of polishing.

I found a neck and a Floyd rose in some junk I had laying around that I may use or possible see about something new.  Funds will probably dictate how that goes.

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

Looking good! And welcome!  ccasion14:

 

[Scuffcakes]

Threw a little rattle-can gloss polyurethane on it.  Also took a good look at the neck I have to work with here.  I think it may have come off a Carvin guitar because the FR I have has Carvin stamped into it.  I'll have to fill those giant screw holes with dowels and re-drill.  Also looks like the heel will take a little work to get it to fit into the pocket.  I honestly don't know what scale the neck is but I figure the worst thing that happens is it won't work. :icon_scratch:

 

[Scuffcakes]

I feel good about the look of the body.  I was going for a rustic, "barn wood" feel and think I've captured it decently.  The neck measures 12.75" nut to 12th fret so I figure I'm good there.  It doesn't quite fit the neck pocket so there will be some work to do there.

For pickups I think I'll be going with GFS Crunchy Pats.  I play mostly rock & metal and have heard very little bad about GFS.  Any experiences with this particular pickup anybody can share?