alder strat project - natural finish or copper finish?

[appar111]

I just got my warmoth alder hardtail strat body yesterday (a 2-piece center-seam, 4 lbs 2 oz hardtail) and I was dead set to try a copper finish on this project, using Rustoleum Auto Primer and Rustoleum Copper Acrylic Lacquer.

The thing is, I put my first couple coats of Deft Lacquer Sanding Sealer on it (it currently has the 2nd coat on it waiting for final sand down) and it looks so darned good w/ just a natural finish! Alot better than I was expecting, to be honest. I can very easily imagine what Deft Semi-Gloss nitro would look like on this guitar. Here's a shot of the back:



Should I still try the copper finish, or should I throw down a few coats of semi-gloss nitro after I'm done w/ the sanding sealer stage?

A natural finish would mean I could go alot of different directions w/ pickguard and neck/fretboard wood choices and still have it look cool. It's a front loaded H-S-H configuration, so I could get pretty much whatever pickguard setup I want (SSS, HSS, HSH, etc.)

If I did copper, I'd be more tied into a parchment or white pickguard scheme and probably a maple fretboard for a cohesive look.

So..... natural or copper?

[telechucker]

My vote goes for Natural - I've never been a fan of copper. No offence to guys that do. Regards.

[andrewb]

im gonna say natural too
i like the patern going on in the belly cut

[Gaber_771]

i've been wanting to build matching coppercasters with blackguards and rw fingerboards. therefore, i say copper...

[Beatbx]

One vote for copper here. I'm entertaining the idea for a copper tele myself.

[wavesound]

Hi All
Thing is the grain does look good on the back, whats it like on the front?
If it's really nice I'd say natural, then get another body for the Copper, you know you want to!

Cheers
Bob

[Old Cane]

Copper, copper, copper, copper, copper, copper, copper, copper, copper, copper, copper.

That's just me. I really don't like a plain woodgrain finish. Did I say I like copper? I think other great options for your not-run-of-the-mill colors for a strat are coral , burgandy mist and sherwood metallics.

[appar111]

Originally Posted by wavesound

Hi All
Thing is the grain does look good on the back, whats it like on the front?
If it's really nice I'd say natural, then get another body for the Copper, you know you want to!

Cheers
Bob

Here are some shots of the front:





I'm also toying around w/ the idea of flat black Duplicolor automobile paint. All black hardware, black pickups, and a nice light colored maple neck & fretboard.

So, natural, copper or flat black auto paint?

[Shadowrunner]

natural

[JKjr]

I really like copper. Lots. Lots and lots. But that sure is a nice lookin' chunk of alder. I'd say go natural, but the color match on the front isn't the best. Why not a translucent finish? Maybe a white blond? That would mask the color mismatch but still show off that beautiful wood. Gives you a few choices as far as pickguards go as well.

[rhh7]

natural

[boris bubbanov]

I had my 3 piece USACG hardtail Strat body tinted natural.

I got tired of it, and it is now painted arctic white. Jes' waiting for the nitro to dry. But, I have 4 1 piece alder T bodies, so I certainly have a lot of purty alder to look at even now.

[airwarrior]

I vote sunburst!

[MulliganChebichev]

Flat black is my vote, then natrual, then copper

[appar111]

Well, I've decided to make this my true "hard rock" guitar, either with 3 black rail style single coils (Dimarzio Chopper, Fast Track, etc.) or some Lace Sensor reds, or a dual humbucker setup (black Dimarzio Evolutions, etc.)

And there's only one color that would fit that look--- flat black.

Last time I tried flat black, I used Krylon "Rust Tough" enamel, which didn't quite look or feel right. So this time I got Duplicolor "Universal Flat Black" acrylic lacquer which should look much nicer.

I'll post pics once I have it painted!