HH strat build - opinions wanted!

[Kaputnik]

I'm almost finished with this one, but I'm having some aesthetics "issues".

The rosewood fingerboard has a pretty strong red hue, and along with the cream dots just doesn't look right with the blackburst.

So, I was thinking about getting another neck and saving this one for another project.

Here's the first one that got me interested (showcase = cheap = good):
http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseNeck.aspx?Body=1&Path=Spotlight&fWood=5&i=WN1402#.U_o4IWMqLTc

I'm definitely going for ebony on maple with a gloss black headstock, but I can't decide on inlays and headstock shape. Block inlays (especially including 1st fret inlay) seems a bit much for such a dark guitar, so I was kinda leaning towards trapezoid (not showcase so a bit more expensive). Also not sure how good the Warmoth headstock will look on a Strat shape body...

I might also end up with black uncovered humbuckers (with chrome rings) if I don't end up liking the sound of the 90s

Of course, keeping the neck I have and living with the slightly off aesthetics is also an option

Any suggestions to help me make up my mind?


Edit: will try and get some better pictures, but in the meantime here's a better lit image of the body:

 

[swarfrat]

How about a reverse x-bird in those wood choices.

 

[Cagey]

I think if it was mine to do, I'd want something light to contrast that dark body. I'm not a fan of Maple fretboards because they require a finish, but you could do Afra or Canary and get pretty much the same tonal characteristics without having to deal with a finish. Or, if Maple is the only way to make you happy, do the baked/cooked/roasted/smoked version so you still have maple, but it doesn't require a finish. Plus, it's slightly darker so it would blend in better. Some big, fat stainless frets, and you'd be in hog heaven.

 

[ORCRiST]

I think if it was mine to do, I'd want something light to contrast that dark body. I'm not a fan of Maple fretboards because they require a finish, but you could do Afra or Canary and get pretty much the same tonal characteristics without having to deal with a finish. Or, if Maple is the only way to make you happy, do the baked/cooked/roasted/smoked version so you still have maple, but it doesn't require a finish. Plus, it's slightly darker so it would blend in better. Some big, fat stainless frets, and you'd be in hog heaven.

Who gives a ratt's behind if it has a finish?  (Yes, yes; you prefaced with "I think if it was mine to do"...)  Sure, you may not prefer a finish on your neck, but I'm pretty sure musicians have been using finished necks since Christ was a child with no ill effects...  I myself love my satin nitro and the glossy finish it produces over time.  Aesthetics Uber Alles unless it makes an instrument downright unplayable for the user.  You raw neck johnny-come-lately's crack me up...  :laughing3:

P.S. Kaputnik, the Warmoth headstock (aka the Warhead) looks badass on a strat body. (In my not-so-humble opinion, ofc)

:icon_thumright:

-ORC

 

[Cagey]

I don't mind a finish on the neck; I have a number of guitars with finished necks. I'm just not enamoured with finishes on the fretboard. To me, they feel funny, and as they wear over time they look terrible. I'd love a Maple fretboard if I could have one without a finish, and in modern times it appears I can if I buy into the "roasted" stuff.

I do prefer raw necks, but having a finish isn't a deal-breaker unless it has a Maple 'board. That's just me, though. You're right - tons of players have done well with them and possibly prefer them. Look at SRV, Hendrix or Clapton. What can I say? There's no accounting for taste. That's up to the individual player.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Perhaps a Canadian scented Roast Maple is in order.

 

[Great Ape]

I'm always reluctant to respond to these kinds of threads--I don't understand why anyone would ask for ''advice'' regarding aesthetic decisions, since for the most part you're gonna get someone else's aesthetic choice as a response. My response is no different: I think the guitar looks GREAT in the first photo...were I to make any change at all it would be to an ebony fingerboard. And that's MY 2 1/2 cents worth of personal taste... :icon_biggrin: 

 

[Danu]

Hi guys, new here. I've been researching various options for a vaguely similar project to this ... so why don't you just dye the board?

 

[Cagey]

Welcome to the forum!

You can dye Maple, but it still needs a hard finish. Even though it's a closed-cell wood, it reacts to humidity changes and can warp or twist if it's not sealed against that. Warmoth won't even honor their warranty if it's not hard-finished.

It doesn't always happen, but it happens often enough that you don't dare chance it.

 

[Danu]

Thanks for the welcome

Maple? I meant dye the rosewood.
If his rosewood colour is not quite right such that hes thinking of swiching the whole neck out for one with an ebony board, maybe he could get away with dyeing the one he's got for the same net effect. But cheaper.

 

[Kaputnik]

Thanks for the input everyone!

As far as woods are concerned I'm perfectly happy with a satin finish maple neck, so I'll be going with whatever's the cheapest option here. I don't really care what the back of the neck looks like.

I like the feel of finished maple but I really think this guitar needs a dark fretboard.
Like people have mentioned, it's just aesthetics.

My response is no different: I think the guitar looks GREAT in the first photo...were I to make any change at all it would be to an ebony fingerboard. And that's MY 2 1/2 cents worth of personal taste... :icon_biggrin: 

Maple? I meant dye the rosewood.
If his rosewood colour is not quite right such that hes thinking of swiching the whole neck out for one with an ebony board, maybe he could get away with dyeing the one he's got for the same net effect. But cheaper.

I've actually looked into dying the rosewood, seems like leather dye is the best option here?
I like the look of the reverse maple headstock too.. I just seem to have a bad case of "grass is greener" syndrome  :icon_tongue:

I think what's gonna happen is either
- keeping this neck and dying the fretboard
or
- getting another neck with Warmoth head, ebony fb with trapezoids and picking up a loaded squier body for this neck as a side project. I have a few pickups that could use a new home anyway...

 

[Jumble Jumble]

Personally I would go for an ebony fingerboard with no inlay at all.