Second build and love it!

[KaiserSoze]

I started with a showcase impulse buy when they had the sale..remember that?

Two-piece mahogany strat body.
I experimented with some body scuplturing just for fun.  Gotta love a Dremel
Many coats of Tung oil finished her off.  No pore filling and I love the look
Completed weight is about 9 lbs

Pickups are SD '59 in the neck and a DiMarzio AT-1 in the bridge.
Electronics are from RS guitarworks and I coil split the bridge pickup.
Wilkinson trem and Sperzel locking tuners.
Strung with 10s

Neck is a new road for me.  I did a 24 3/4 scale with 6130 frets and I'll never go back.  I had an "okay this is it" moment when I played it.
Maple neck with ebony, standard thin.  Smooth as glass.

I know sound is subjective but it is snappy and warm and responsive.  This piece of mahogany has some great acoustic qualities and it sounds nice unplugged.  The pickups both have great personality and I can hit a wide range of tones.  I can't say enough about the RS guitarworks components and the AT-1 pickup is an ass kicker and responds to the volume control very well.  I was concerned about a '59 with the AT-1 but they are fine together and I can use either one and never get muddy or too trebly. 

All told, its well rounded and warm.  I think I lucked out on the wood and pickup combinations, moreso than my first build, which was okay but not inspiring.  I can't put this one down.  Thank you again Warmoth and I'm already planning my next...tele with P90s maybe? 

 

[Disco Scottie]

Digging the sculpt look. Did you do any on the backside?

 

[Jusatele]

the scupting does look good
as stated, give us some reverse pics

 

[KaiserSoze]

Requested back shot.  Also front shot with new P90, which I'm really enjoying.  If you note the first pics of the guitar above, the color looks different depending on the light.  Still love the body and the grain.

I needed to finish the raw maple neck so I experimented with some Minwax Ebony stain and Tru-oil.  I like the effect, kind of a weathered look.  I realize it no longer goes with the body but thats the perfect excuse to start a new project, right?

 

[KaiserSoze]

And neck...  Some strategic sanding for more of a worn look.  Kind of cool.

 

[Mor Paul]

I'm liking that look actually. It's making me think things...

 

[sduck]

Wow!  :guitarplayer2: That is a really nice looking guitar. Great work! :hello2:

 

[KaiserSoze]

Thanks. For the neck, the actual process was simply cleaning the neck well and applying the minwax ebony stain which I chose simply because I had it around.  I left it for about five minutes and wiped off. No taping since the ebony board is so dense. Dry overnight and applied second coat and left for ten minutes before wiping. The maple didn't take in much stain. I just went with the effect and did some light sanding on the edges for accents. Let dry two days and applied two light coats of Tru oil    I think I'll call it the Driftwood Finish

 

[Updown]

Nice work  :icon_thumright:
Go for SS Frets next time round ... just a tip !!

I love my Dremel too, Oh the thoughts you have given me now .......  :doh:

 

[Steve_Karl]

Nice work. Looks great.

 

[Ddbltrbl]

Love all the color in that Mahogany! Nice work. :guitarplayer2:

 

[crash]

What dremel bits did you use?  I would like to try something similar to a tele body I have laying around.

 

[KaiserSoze]

Dremel bit. Don't know the name but it's a cone shape about 3/4 inch long. I just free-handed the sculpting as sort of an experiment. Mahogany is and easy wood for carving but I'm not sure about other types of wood.
I do like the stain results and may try some colors. Some neat possibilities there

 

[crash]

Was the bit made from sandpaper or a stone material.  I have a piece of zebrawood o want to carve.

 

[bagman67]

That there's a handsome axe.  May it bring you many years of tooth-loosening thunder.

 

[KaiserSoze]

Lol.. Thanks Bagman.  As to the drill bit..  it was a stone material but I just used it because I had it.  Test the wood first and sand with the grain, it seems to go better that way.  I did a lot of hand-sanding as well with different grades of paper, just experimenting.  Just try stuff out, its not like you could ruin much, it is just wood after all. 

 

[JCizzle]

Gorgeous guitar. I'm new here and browsing your work for inspiration. :guitarplayer2:

 

[oldmanriver]

God, that neck is awesome! Great work.