Need ideas...planning my next project

[elmicko]

I was flipping though channels the other night and came across a concert and one of the guys was playing an old mahogany Les Paul Special. It got me to thinking about doing a darker wood satin finish tele. I'm looking for ideas on how to start. I don't want to do anything as dark as mahogany, but I like the finish Gibson used on these.



I'd like to do a tele with that visual feel, but not as dark colored. I found a google pic of a barncaster that I believe belongs to a member here.



I really like the vibe on this one and want to do something sorta in between the Gibson and the tele above. Thinking rosewood neck and a bit darker than natural finish on a standard tele. So I'm here looking for ideas on how to move towards this, need to keep it on a pretty tight budget. I'll have to buy the body and neck because I don't have the tools or skill to build those on my own.