I wish we all could own a real 54 Stratocaster, but.....

[Tonar8352]

who can afford one now. So the next best thing is to build one with Warmoth parts. I received this beautiful straight gained Swamp Ash body that will make a smoking "54" 2-tone sunburst. This is going to coupled with a real tasty lightly flamed 1 piece 59 Roundback, 1 11/16 nut, with 6150 stainless steel fret wire and it should get a bone nut in the end. The neck is going to get a lacquered fret board and a hand rubbed finish on the back so it will feel like a 63 year old played in piece of wood. I love this stuff!!!!!

 

[Cagey]

That Ash is pretty unusual. Almost looks like Zebrawood.

 

[fdesalvo]

Strong is the grain on this one. 

 

[Tonar8352]

Yes we jumped on this one because it is real close in grain pattern to this original "54" hard tail in Norm's video. Forward to about 1:35 for a close up of the grain pattern and it is petty close to this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOCxfVGzbQ4

 

[BigSteve22]

Wow, that is pretty close to the grain in the video. Consider me signed up to watch your progress!

:cool01:

 

[rgand]

Ah, another cool one to follow.

Strong is the grain on this one.

Just listen to the tone within.

 

[bbl4ck]

Ya know, I never get tired of watching you do these burst finishes! 
As the proud owner of three Tonar burst finishes, you think I would be happy...
Nope, I love watching em all.  The grain on that body is amazingly similar to the Norman's Rare 54'.
Can't wait to see her progress, so keep the pics a rolling.
Your gonna make somebody very, very happy :headbang1:

 

[nullref]

Oh yeah, I'm in.  Can't wait to see how it turns out...

 

[stratamania]

Looks pretty good already just as raw wood. Should look cool when its done...

 

[dmraco]

nice score

 

[mayfly]

Ya know, I never get tired of watching you do these burst finishes! 
As the proud owner of three Tonar burst finishes, you think I would be happy...
Nope, I love watching em all.  The grain on that body is amazingly similar to the Norman's Rare 54'.
Can't wait to see her progress, so keep the pics a rolling.
Your gonna make somebody very, very happy :headbang1:

I second this!  As the owner of several Tonar guitars, two of which being bursts, I am always awestruck when I take them out of the case.  In fact, I think I need to play that trans-continental tele tonight...

Even in compressed photos delivered over the internet the guitars are amazing.  Just wait till you see it in real life!

 

[Tonar8352]

First step to get this neck a little closer to the look of a 54 is round off the sharp edges on the head stock.

Here you can see the softer edge next to BlackDog's neck for the Black Crow.

The Black Crow neck on the left in all its flaming hand polished glory and the new neck waiting for the same treatment.

By the way there is some nice flame on the new neck waiting to be brought out. Here it is wet; not bad!

 

[dmraco]

Nice neck.  I always round all my neck edges.  Several reasons but it is mostly more pleaseing to the hand and eye.  I also find it easier when finish sanding/polishing.  Less likely to burn thru a rounded corner ccasion14:

 

[bbl4ck]

Nice neck.  I always round all my neck edges.  Several reasons but it is mostly more pleaseing to the hand and eye.  I also find it easier when finish sanding/polishing.  Less likely to burn thru a rounded corner ccasion14:

Yea, I agree the rounded edges make for a more visually pleasing neck, for my eyes anyway :icon_thumright:
I don't do my own finishing, but it makes good sense the rounded edges would be less likely to burn thru! 
I will definitely remember that if I decide to take on finishing...
:rock-on:

 

[Tonar8352]

I finally got the body level and the yellow on it today, tomorrow should be burst day.

 

[bagman67]

Gorgeous as usual, Greg.  I'm always glad to see an update on any of your projects.


I picked up some Behlen's Master Color pigments in yellow, red, black, and brown for a buck a can from a woodshop that went under here in San Jose, so once I get the shekels together for a spray rig, I plan to do my own tobacco and RBY bursts.  I realize you're using a different pigment product, but can you give some advice on arriving at a pigment-to-carrier ratio for the various layers?

 

[Tonar8352]

but can you give some advice on arriving at a pigment-to-carrier ratio for the various layers?

Well I hate to say this but I just throw color into the clear until it looks right to me.  :dontknow: I always use wood stir sticks and I can tell by how it looks on the stick if I have what I'm after. That is why I always make sure I have enough material left over in case I need to do a touch up.

 

[rgand]

That looks really good already. The burst will come out great. I'm not ready to try a burst. Heck, I'm not ready to do a full refinish yet.  :laughing7:

 

[bbl4ck]

I would play that proudly just the way it is now :guitaristgif:
The grain on that girl really sets it off!  Can't wait to see the burst.
Keep the pics a rollin"...

 

[Cagey]

I would play that proudly just the way it is now :guitaristgif:

Yeah, no kidding. Looks great! Pretty safe bet a real '54 never looked that good.