Warmoth shaped back cavity cover made of wood, help please

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

Hi all, so I'm trying to make a back cavity cover from wood. I've tried a first attempt but I'm no luthier or woodwork expert. Does Anyone out there know where I can buy some decient wood, uk based preferably. 200mm x 100mm x 3mm. Indian rosewood would be nice as that's what my neck is made from
My first attempt is a little out of shape and that's not good enough
Or a little advice on how to better my "attempt", stains etc. any advice is appreciated

 

[line6man]

Indian Rosewood will be tough, because that species of wood is subject to wild variations. You need to find a cut of wood that is the same color as your neck.

When I made a wooden control cover for my homemade Strat, I just copied a plastic control cover onto MDF with a straight bit, and then used the MDF template to route the wood. It's very simple.

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

After first stain

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

After sanding back

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

After second stain

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

Stain now seems to have faded, maybe another coat?
On the guitar

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

Indian Rosewood will be tough, because that species of wood is subject to wild variations. You need to find a cut of wood that is the same color as your neck.

When I made a wooden control cover for my homemade Strat, I just copied a plastic control cover onto MDF with a straight bit, and then used the MDF template to route the wood. It's very simple.

Cool, I didn't want to stick the original onto the maple just incase I damaged the original, but I could make a mdf replacement and work around that? Is that what you mean?
It doesn't have to be a perfect match to the neck, I would consider wenge or Macassar ebony. Anything better than black plastic as long as I can pull it off ha ha.

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

Slight gap, mid bottom left and top right, not good enough. I think because I drilled the holes before I stained the wood warped? I don't know, the drill holes aren't lined up perfectly now? Anyway.... Someone else wants to give it a bash I'll buy it off them ha ha

 

[line6man]

Anyway.... Someone else wants to give it a bash I'll buy it off them ha ha

Well, if you want to send me some pre-thicknessed wood, and a control cover to duplicate, I'll give it a try.
I seem to have misplaced my countersinking drill bit, though.

 

[stubhead]

LMII sell some "headplates" to put on top of headstocks. They're a minimum of 3.5" X 7.5" X 0.110" (3mm). All the usual suspects, some much cheaper than others...
https://www.lmii.com/products/mostly-wood/headplates/wood-headplates

That sampler pack looks delish, but I can't drop $63 on wood just to fondle and sniff it, not this summer at least! :sad1: There may be some similar wood on Ebay, and there are at least two guys selling wood pickguards there who could surely be induced (moola) to cut you a cover.

 

[Cagey]

I have yet to see a wood cover that looks right. But, that's just me. I see the wood grain interrupted, and the first thing that comes to mind is "flaw". But, there have been several members here who've done it to the point where they're making pin money off the skill. I'm not sure if any are around any more, other than Doug (DangerousR6), and I'm not sure he's hiring out that skill. It's one of those things that are sort of a labor of love, because you can't charge as much as the time invested would require. Be worth a shout out to him, though. See what he says.

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

Hi cagey, well the wood was £5 from eBay, so I got what I paid for. I really enjoyed making it and finding out through YouTube more about the staining process! It's just a shame a worked on it a little to much In a couple of areas. I guess my real question is, would rosewood look better or should I stain again?

 

[Cagey]

It depends what you're trying to accomplish. If you want it to match up, you need to get a part made of Mahogany and get started with some tobacco stain, with maybe a drop of red in it. If you want it to stand out, then the sky's the limit and you can follow your heart.

 

[dmraco]

I have some spalt/flame maple you could have.  You you have to plan it down a bit to the correct thickness and stabilize with an epoxy.

Check out page 9 for one that I made.  It is the same wood from the top of the guitar
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=20285.120

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

It depends what you're trying to accomplish. If you want it to match up, you need to get a part made of Mahogany and get started with some tobacco stain, with maybe a drop of red in it. If you want it to stand out, then the sky's the limit and you can follow your heart.

I'm quite open to suggestions, you guys are the pros. I'd like something that matches that you have to take a second look at to realise "hang on there"
Or something really dark and subtle with the same reaction

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

I have some spalt/flame maple you could have.  You you have to plan it down a bit to the correct thickness and stabilize with an epoxy.

Check out page 9 for one that I made.  It is the same wood from the top of the guitar
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=20285.120

That is a very generous offer and I would be happy to take you up on that! Obviously I would be more than happy to pay for the wood and naturally the postage of course. The top on that Wolfgang looks amazing, and that backplate was exactly what I had in mind!
Might want to pick your brain about how you stained it? I just followed some YouTube vids

 

[Rhubarbpastrychef]

These are the paints I used, the darker one first