My son Jake and I are about half way through our first build project (more are planned - I need something to do when I get past wanting to work anymore). We are using a nice shunk of swamp ash for the body and flamed (or what I grew up calling 'tiger stripe') maple for the one piece neck. The pickup are Fender originals, the bridge (black) and nut (chrome) are Floyd Rose; black pickguard; black Gotoh tuners; chrome Tele knob plate and neck plate

We want to stain the body with a dark amber stain, then achieve a satin finish similar to what one finds on Gibson SG Special Worn Brown, or Gibson Les Paul Studio. Still not sure exactly how to achieve the satin finish.

For the neck, we have a nice piece of flamed, and will try to stain and cut to accentuate the flaming, before applying clear nitro cellulose finish, and rubbing to a nice low gloss stain, like the body.

Will post some pictures as we go.

The cost is v. high, as the tooling up has been an excuse to buy the tools I always wanted, including smart workbench, a Milwaukee circular saw (no room for a bench saw) top line Makita router, Festool finishing sander, lovely little 10" SIP bandsaw (very smooth and quiet). Have discovered Rutlands Tools - an expensive habit.

I have it all set up in the kitchen in front of the south facing glass double doors - I have a very understanding partner - so dust control must be good.

We are nearing the finishing part, so I am going to post a question in the finishing section.

Cheers

D'Arcy (yes, that is what my parents gave me for a given name.)