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Hello,

I ran across this body blank and thought it was a little unusual for swamp ash. What are your thoughts on the grain lines and how it might turn out finished?

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Dean

Dean,
I think it would look kick-ass as a guitar body.
It will require some serious grain filling if you want a glassy look.
Dan

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

I was thinking about using some Timbermate natural and mix it with water into a slurry. Then rub/squeegee it in, level sand, repeat... ???

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Dean

Not sure if it would look better upside down? Personal preference really.

The thick grain lines in ash are a pain to fill as Dan said. Doing the slurry thing will put light ash colour in the dark grain I think. I used a cellulose brushable sanding sealer on a similar piece. After many coats and sanding inbetween the grain still sinks so I started only filling the grain for a few coats (see pic below). Cuts down on sanding time and after a while you will see your "problem" areas that need more filling anyway. Allow each coat to dry properly before sanding and you should be good. This type of sealer can be used for nitro laquer or truoil.
Look forward to seeing your build progress.

Yikes... I see what you all were talking about. The blank shipped out this afternoon so it should be here early next week I am guessing.
Been trying to find a decent polycarbonate layout template today too. Might go with a SG type body. Maybe modify it so it will have a standard 4 bolt Strat neck and no side bevels. I guess a cross between a SG and a Les Paul TV???

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Dean

The biggest problem with that style of guitar is the strength of the neck joint. Both the sg and the LP junior double cut (TV denotes the colour btw, which is the milky yellow over mahogany. You get juniors and specials in this finish if we're talking the original 50s stuff here) are guitars I have played, bought/sold extensively and seen many broken ones too. SG'itis I think they call it lol. Don't let that put you off.. It was just a thought.. And I'm bored lol, but be aware of the strength of that style joint on a shape like that.

I Love early LP juniors, single p90 and no frills but still just awesome. Would be interesting to hear one made from ash...

Well I am having a custom template made for a SG body with a standard 4 bolt fender strat neck pocket on it. Might use it on the swamp ash

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Dean