Wez venables guitar build - Done and dusted!!

[Philly Q]

The distressed hardware looks brilliant with the spalted top - like the whole thing's been buried in a compost heap for a couple of months!

(That was meant as a compliment   )

[WezV]

thats pretty much what i was aiming for so thats ok!!

[WezV]

what do people reckon i should get done for the finish?

I dont want to do an oil finish because i dont feel it will be substantial enough to protect the spalt - even after all the epoxy i have used i would rather be safe than sorry!!!.

I was thinking high gloss would be good with the messed up wood and hardware - kind off a contrast against it.  I havn't tried a satin finish before but this might be the perfect opportunity.

i did think about a relic finish but i dont think it will work well with the complex patterns in the wood.  it will almost be too much going on

oh... the neck will be oil and waxed

[noodleplugerine]

I'm not sure how a high gloss finish would work with the spalt - Personally I think an oiled finish would LOOK best - But if you say it won't protect the spalt then it's obviously not a viable option.

[WezV]

thats why i am thinking satin lacquer might be the best way forward

[_tom_]

Yeah, go for satin. Gloss is never a good idea on natural finishes, I think it makes it look cheaper and cr@p most of the time, like on the lite ash strats/teles.

[Woogie]

satin definitely, would look classy!!

[WezV]

dont say that tom.  Almost all the guitars i make are natural finish with high gloss lacquer!!!  

i know what you mean about those fenders though!

I know organic guitars have done some spalted maple guitars with tru-oil buffed to a semi gloss finish but really i want the practical protection of lacquer with the nice touchable finish of oil.

I might spray gloss lacquer for the strength but knock the shine off it then buff it up with wax to try and achieve a semi-gloss.  The problem with just doing satin is that it will buff up to a shine overtime anyway

[noodleplugerine]

High gloss would work on curved tops - But I think on flat tops the black machine approach is what I would go with - Oil or satin =)

[WezV]

yeah but its now somewhere between a flat top and a carved/bevelled top - but that might not be that noticable untill i have finished it, however i do!!

[dave_mc]

Yeah, go for satin. Gloss is never a good idea on natural finishes, I think it makes it look cheaper and cr@p most of the time, like on the lite ash strats/teles.

seconded.

also that distressed hardware looks very cool on it.

this guitar is annoying me... i don't like spalted maple tops, nor distressed hardware. Usually.

 :lol:

[WezV]

glad its annoying you dave.. it may be that you never would have liked the finish product but watching the construction makes you feel closer to it

i would never normally do distressed hardware but since it was suggested  i went with it and i like the way this is turning out!!  its actually got me considering doing a proper relic - not something i generally go for

[WezV]

still a bit untidy but i have got the neck attached and started contouring the back and neck join




basically its a section routed lower ala  ibanez AANJ (all access neck join) and then the heel has also been sloped and rounded off - its what felt right at the time and it certainly makes the heel relatively discreet

Ferrules are not as tidy as a neck plate but they do allow more fun with the heel shaping!

also started on the gut cut but i might take that out a bit more

[noodleplugerine]

Looking gorgeous!

That routing is the same that's done on Charvel fusions and the like right?

[WezV]

god knows - not following any set plans here!