Ash Mosrite: Black it is!

I finally got a new pickguard in the mail today from my mate Craig (pablopepper) on the Buildyourownguitar forum. This time it's a black guard to replace the garish white one that I had previously ordered from him. And (queue the fanfare) - I think we finally have a winner!!

A new black custom pickguard and it's all coming together.

Although the subtle burst that I've ended up with on this guitar is not what I originally envisioned for it, I am really coming around to the distinctly vintage feel to this one. With the black guard and the cream soapbar P90s she's just oozing retro cool. I'm thinking now that a black gloss headstock will match the pickguard very nicely indeed, paired with a Fender yellow neck for more uber Vintagey goodness.

The body now has many, many coats of acrylic lacquer applied. All that is left to get her looking swish is to smooth the surface down with some 600 grit, slap on a couple more layers of lacquer, and then polish the christ out of it. I tell you, I'm really looking forward to playing this one. Those Entwistle X90s are going to sound soooo good!!

Black Ash Telecaster: Red Tortoiseshell or Red Pearloid?

Well, it's been a few days without progress on any and all guitars. Bloody work is getting in the way of my building obsession. If I didn't need it to pay for guitar kits, maybe I'd chuck the whole IT thing in. Oh well - suck it up dude!

On the plus side, my alternate pickguard arrived from Pitbull today and I now have a choice to make. Tortoiseshell or Pearloid? They both look very similar, although the pearloid is a little darker in real life than it looks in the photo.

Well, what do you guys think? Ok, so there isn't much difference, but for my money it's the tortoiseshell (on the left).

Now if only I could find some time to finish off this body with a cut and polish, I could get the cavities shielded and this baby assembled. Soon. Hopefully.

Postscript 17/10/2014: Well it looks like overwhelming support for the tortoiseshell! I have gone ahead and ordered soume bourne 250K pots, an orange-drop cap and some Tonerider Hot Classics (pickups) for this baby. I can't wait to get her all wired up and to hear that rock twang!

Black Ash Telecaster: Headstock Decal and Pickguard

A little more progress this week on the Black Ash Tele. The neck is now finished - I've applied 8 thin coats of Tru-Oil on there, with a little wet-sanding (800 and 1500 grits) between the last couple of coats. Man, it's feeling nice and smooth and fast! I've also applied my headstock decal and it's looking pretty cool. I really like the black text on the amber finish.

I received a red tortoiseshell pickguard in the mail yesterday and did a quick mockup to see what it looks like. It needs some work around the neck to fit it properly, but that's no sweat. I'm waiting on a red pearloid pickgurd as an alternate to the tortoiseshell, and once that arrives I'll have to choose between the two of them. Once the choice is made I'll get out the file and improve the fit around the neck.

As it is, I think the red tortoiseshell is looking pretty damn nice! It's going to be tough to beat. I love the colour balance between the black, the red and the amber neck.

I'm getting pretty excited now - I can't wait to get this baby finished and to plug her in! It's shaping up to be either a Mental Wilko Johnston model or an Introverted Shoegazer - whatever floats your boat baby!