[COMPLETE] - Koa topped Strat with rosewood neck

What's Hot
PVO_DavePVO_Dave Frets: 2364
edited June 2017 in Making & Modding
Absolutley love the neck on my Tele, so had the itch for another. 

I troubled @GSPBASSES  with my idea, mahogany with koa topped Strat, P90 neck, humbucker in the bridge, same fixed schaller bridge as the Tele with a big 70's headstock. 

Arrived today!

https://i.imgur.com/W64AWAT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rCC1qq1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KEzR3Oe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/249H0fO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3rHlDXe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/p9uQqPp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RQp3TvE.jpg

Body and neck will both be oil finished (Eze), undecided on pickups as yet. 

Dave. 
0reaction image LOL 9reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
«13

Comments

  • KalimnaKalimna Frets: 1534
    Oh, that koa is pretty. Very nice indeed. Works beautifully with the rosewood neck - though to me it would look nicer with a contrasting headstock. But doesnt detract from those timbers.
    Going to be a stunner when finished :)

    Adam
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • RolandRoland Frets: 8590
    That wood is beautiful. I'm interested to hear what it sounds like when finished.
    Tree recycler, and guitarist with  https://www.undercoversband.com/.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • paulnb57paulnb57 Frets: 3044
    Ive just come!
    Stranger from another planet welcome to our hole - Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock 'n' roll

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Jez6345789Jez6345789 Frets: 1756
    Beautiful have a soft spot for Koa.
    are you going to stain/sandback to pop the Koa at all I have a Koa top to do at some point but wondering on the best way to get the grain patterns looking the best
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • WezVWezV Frets: 16541
    edited April 2017
    Beautiful have a soft spot for Koa.
    are you going to stain/sandback to pop the Koa at all I have a Koa top to do at some point but wondering on the best way to get the grain patterns looking the best
    Don't do anything like that.   Koa has a wonderful chatoyancy and colour all of its own, even when only slightly figured.

    it looks best in the real world, don't sacrifice that for a better photo.

    the most I would do to enhance it is a light amber tint


    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • KalimnaKalimna Frets: 1534
    Certainly over in the woodworking forums, it is often felt the best way to show off the chatoyancy of wood is to use an oil finish. Less likely to get a super-shiny finish (though not impossible), but the best for figure.
    Shellac would be another option.

    Adam
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • PVO_DavePVO_Dave Frets: 2364
    Kalimna said:
    Oh, that koa is pretty. Very nice indeed. Works beautifully with the rosewood neck - though to me it would look nicer with a contrasting headstock. But doesnt detract from those timbers.
    Going to be a stunner when finished :)

    Adam
    The addition of an abalone logo should help break it up, worked well on the Tele :)

    Roland said:
    That wood is beautiful. I'm interested to hear what it sounds like when finished.
    Thanks, I'll get a demo together when it's finished

    paulnb57 said:
    Ive just come!
    Thanks, I think :D 

    Jez6345789 said: Beautiful have a soft spot for Koa.
    are you going to stain/sandback to pop the Koa at all I have a Koa top to do at some point but wondering on the best way to get the grain patterns looking the best Just as Wez and Adam have said, it'll be an oil finish only, I'll only be sanding it to get it smooth ready for the finish, it'll make the grain come alive a lot more.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • kaypeejaykaypeejay Frets: 775
    Have a wow from me. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • axisusaxisus Frets: 28280
    The body is lovely, but the neck is sensational! I just want to eat it! 

    With that guitar I'd have to have a trem though
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • PVO_DavePVO_Dave Frets: 2364
  • kaypeejaykaypeejay Frets: 775
    Loving the grain on the front.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • PVO_DavePVO_Dave Frets: 2364
    After drying overnight, de-nibbed with 0000 wire wool and applied a second coat. 

    The Koa top is amazing in the light :)

    https://i.imgur.com/H5SUDXW.jpg

    https://i.imgur.com/89ZXMFc.jpg

    https://i.imgur.com/kxG4HeG.jpg


    0reaction image LOL 2reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • PVO_DavePVO_Dave Frets: 2364
    2nd coat under the light :D 

    https://i.imgur.com/AKoO6VRh.jpg

    3rd and final coat is now drying, ready for waxing :)
    0reaction image LOL 6reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • TTonyTTony Frets: 27342
    PVO_Dave said:
    2nd coat under the light 
    Looks quite OK that.



    or wow!!
    Having trouble posting images here?  This might help.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • paulnb57paulnb57 Frets: 3044
    That woodgrain under the oil is magnificent!
    Stranger from another planet welcome to our hole - Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock 'n' roll

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • normula1normula1 Frets: 639
    Very nice indeed
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • WezVWezV Frets: 16541
    PVO_Dave said:
    2nd coat under the light :D 

    https://i.imgur.com/AKoO6VRh.jpg

    3rd and final coat is now drying, ready for waxing :)
    No enhancement necessary.

    its all about the way that will react under light... something often missed by the Pinterest generation
    1reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Jez6345789Jez6345789 Frets: 1756
    Have to say the oil is bringing it up just fine and dandy but having never finished Koa I was only wondering on the rights and wrongs of do a colour and sand back effect not that you would want the grain popped any more than the oil is doing just wondered how the Pro's did it. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • PVO_DavePVO_Dave Frets: 2364
    Thanks all, amazed by the top. 

    Not expecting a massive boost in sheen sheen from the wax, but a little extra depth and some protection on the finish. 

    I'll do the same thing on the r/w neck when that's back from Rothko. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • PVO_DavePVO_Dave Frets: 2364
    Body now waxed, went over it twice with Briwax - Looks amazing in person. The reflections make it look a bit more glassy than it really is, it's more of a deep shiny wood finish, than a glossy finish.








    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
Sign In or Register to comment.