Ultrasuede - Les Paul Influenced Strat

[partialdoctor]

Guys, meet my new axe, which I've dubbed Ultrasuede. This is my first non-showcase body and neck.The goal of this project was to get some heavier tones out of a strat. I don't care much for the Les Paul or PRS feel in my hands, but I like some of the tones, so this idea was born.  The body is mahogany with a Zebrawood top.  I got the body yesterday and got a little bit done. I raised the grain and sanded back twice and got a first coat of Crystalac grain filler on it. Planning on doing 2-3 coats of that, then a red dye (Transtint) to the top, then Tru-Oil to the whole thing. I think its going to be sick. I LOVE that its a hardtail.

Specs:
Body: Hardtail Mahogany / Zebrawood, Chambered, Dual F holes, Ivoroid Binding
Neck: Rosewood, Kingwood Fretboard, No inlays (will have custom inlay on headstock), 6100 SS frets, Schaller Locking
Pickups: Lollar Imperials
Bridge: Fender Hardtail

This post will be updated in the next few days as I finish it.  :hello2:

 

[elfro89]

That body has so much class. Any ideas for the neck?

 

[reluctant-builder]

That thing is begging for a right-hand reverse neck. CBS stock.

 

[partialdoctor]

Neck is ordered already. Rosewood with Kingwood fretboard (very parallel lined Kingwood). 6100 frets. Standard thin profile strat neck.

 

[reluctant-builder]

Tis your build!

Can't wait to see how it comes along.

 

[elfro89]

Neck is ordered already. Rosewood with Kingwood fretboard (very parallel lined Kingwood). 6100 frets. Standard thin profile strat neck.

That is such a perfect choice. I might steal this idea and get my own...  :toothy10:

 

[rapfohl09]

Man that body is beautiful, cant wait to see it finished!

 

[kboman]

I'm really starting to dig zebrawood again... yum!

 

[Corey P.]

Looks like it's going to turn into a great guitar, looking forward to watching the progress!

 

[DangerousR6]

Oh my....it looks Ultr-suedey....I'm diggin' that fo sho...The darker neck will make that thing pop... :kewlpics:

 

[ptirman]

Fantastic! I'm a Zebrawood lover and this thing will sing I'm sure.... :blob7:

 

[partialdoctor]

Coming along. Did two coats of filler. Stained the top red and scraped the binding. The latter was a major pain in the ass! I botched the control hole a bit (ok a lot) drilling it out to 1/2" for a three way switch, but I'm going to leave it as a battle scar. Most of it will be covered by the switch. The color is just like I want it and looks amazing with a little naptha to simulate the top coats. I need to do a little bit of touch up final sanding on the back and then I'll start Tru-oil. I'm planning on spraying the 1st coat so as to not smear the red onto the binding again. Will keep you posted...

 

[Cagey]

Looks good. I'm curious what happened with the switch hole, though, if you don't mind saying.

 

[mgaut051]

Wow!

 

[partialdoctor]

Looks good. I'm curious what happened with the switch hole, though, if you don't mind saying.

The edges of the zebrawood splintered when I was drilling the hole. I have no idea what I'm doing, so I'm sure it was my error.

 

[m4rk0]

that stain is perfect for the top... which stain did you use??

 

[partialdoctor]

I used transtint bright red, mixed with a little reddish brown. Water as a solvent.  I think I had a little of the filler still on the surface and it was mildly blotchy with the 1st coat, so I sanded back fairly aggressively (which looked awesome BTW and I almost kept it that way), then did a second coat. I did test this whole think on scrap zebrawood I purchased prior to doing it on the body so I expected it and it went on just like the test board.

The weather has put a nix on my plans for today. I sand outside (live in townhome) and its been raining all day.  :sad: Was planning on getting 1st coat of tru-oil on today, but looks like a no go.

 

[Cagey]

I see. Zebra is some brittle stuff. If you used a twist drill, I could see that tearing up pretty easily. I'm surprised Warmoth offers it as a face wood - resawing that stuff has got to be a nightmare of ruined pieces.

When I was building Mayfly's amp heads, I used Zebrawood faces because I couldn't find a piece of curly maple that made me happy. It looked really nice and unique, then one day I dropped one. Snapped into three pieces, like clay pot or something. Pissed me off, as I already had a lot of labor into it. Plus, the stuff ain't cheap.

But, once it's all machined and finished and in place, it's really hard and highly attractive.

 

[partialdoctor]

Its really starting to come alive now. Put on 4 coats of Tru-Oil, then lightly micromeshed with 4000, 6000, 12000, then a couple more coats. The red is really popping and the striped look 3D and change with the light... the pictures don't do it justice!

 

[dNA]

That color looks GREAT. i think the only finishes i've seen on zebrawood have been natural and green. so this is a refreshing change of pace. really nice.

is tru-oil that glossy is that just how it looks wet?