Update! Always wanted an ash strat....Here we go again, now I got a neck!

[KaiserSoze]

Ordered a maple/pau ferro neck.  Staying kind of basic.  Trying a light amber finish.  I'm thinking black pickguard and hardware but reserve the right to change my mind forty three more times.  Also considering a Dimarzio Area set or maybe a set from Roadhouse although the thought of noiseless appeals to me.

Anyway, yay for me..

 

[bagman67]

Looking good.  I love me some ash, although grain-fill can be a chore.


I have some amber General FInishes dye I'd be happy to share, if you want to go that route.  Elsewise, what do you think you'll color it with?  Amber shellac under a clearcoat of some kind? 

 

[KaiserSoze]

To be honest I havent gotten that far.  I picked up some scrap ash and have some Wudtone stuff that I want to test out.  I may not do any grain fill at all.  I like that look.  Plus, I'm impatient and like simple.  We'll see

 

[Corey P.]

I dig the funky grain patterns near the control route - I've been contemplating an Ash Strat m'self - congrats on taking the plunge!

 

[KaiserSoze]

In progress......Also, talked to Ken and ordered some Roadhouse Sixty Fives.  Anxious to try them and get this assembled and done.
Body is 3lb 5oz so I should be a good weight when I'm done.  Waiting on the neck and pickups.  Should be finished with this one by Halloween.  I'm undecided on the Wudtone as I'm not finished with the entire process yet but I can say that it is an easy finish to use and does look good.  I'm tempted to get another body and try one of their more colorful finishes. 

 

[KaiserSoze]

Been a bit experimental with this finish.  This is the Wudtone amber.  I did 5 light coats of the colored base coat with steel wool between coats.  1 to 2 days drying time between each.  Three coats of the final "Vintage tint clear coat" and will let it cure for a bit while I wait for the neck to arrive. 
I'm impatient waiting so I took some steel wool to a few areas to relic it a touch, just to see what it looks like.  I also got bored waiting and shielded the crap out of it.  There are opposing opinions about the effectiveness of shielding but I figure it can't hurt anything and if it helps, its a bonus.  Plus, it occupied me for an hour and gave the body some time to absorb some classic rock vibes I had playing on Pandora.
So when my neck arrives and Ken's pickups get here I'll be doing final assembly.

 

[KaiserSoze]

Neck arrival....And Ken's pickups arrived as well.  Neck is pre-finish.  I'll do an oil finish on the maple but plan on leaving the pau ferro fretboard alone.

For a standard order neck, I was really pleased to see what I swear is quarter-sawn maple and also a really nice piece of pau ferro.  Thanks Warmoth.  I love it.

 

[Cagey]

You're right - they did set you up nice. That's a beautiful piece of Pau Ferro. That's gonna be a gorgeous guitar.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

That's a nice stick! 

 

[sixstringsamurai]

Very sharp indeed!
I hope the PF fret board I order looks like that...

 

[KaiserSoze]

Done and done. Very pleased. Stats later. Beer now

 

[KaiserSoze]

Everything went together well. Only problem is a very high 18th fret, which basically affects the whole neck and buzzy all over and dead frets at 15-18, so gotta work on that

 

[TroubledTreble]

Sweet! I had an ash strat with a clear finish just like that one. I loved that guitar. I like yours better with that neck.

Looks like the postal service is making good time these days. Glad the pups got to you quickly.

 

[KaiserSoze]

Thanks Ken. I've put in some hours getting the setup right and getting to know the pickups with my amp. My initial impression is that they are really balanced and clear. I'm a fan of underwound now. They are very versatile and so articulate that I'll need to be a better player to really take advantage of them. They really do sound as stratty and clean as I could want. Very nice set and I don't feel they lack anything. All positions sound really good  More later when I do a full report on the guitar.  Thanks for a great set !