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I just ordered this body and can't decide what color...

Discussion in 'Stratocaster Discussion Forum' started by reddy2300, Nov 19, 2019.

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  1. Nov 19, 2019 #1
    reddy2300

    reddy2300 Tele-Meister

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    I bought a 2004 MiM Strat back in 2005. It's "GC only" special that came with TexMex pickups. It has a white pickguard and trem. I bought it in clear because I thought I'd sand the finish off and oil it and be done. Little did I know that it is actually a clear polyester coating that is nearly impossible to get off without screwing something up.

    So I bought this body to replace the poly coated one. (I have the trem blocked on the MiM so I decided to go hardtail on the replacement.) The grain is not really interesting enough to go "au natural" so I was thinking a very light trans white or butterscotch finish. (I was actually going to go trans white on the MiM body when I bought it.)

    Thoughts?

    The new body is swamp ash and weighs 3lb 11oz.
     

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  2. Nov 19, 2019 #2
    teletimetx

    teletimetx Doctor of Teleocity

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    Ordinarily, I'm not contrary just to be contrary, but IMHO, I think the grain on that body is totally deserving of a natural finish. Did you try swabbing a little patch with alchohol just to see what it looks like? I really do think that's as fine a candidate as any to go with a natural finish, but hey, different strokes and all.
     
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  3. Nov 19, 2019 #3
    CDox

    CDox TDPRI Member

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    You might be surprised how that grain will darken with a clear put on it. I also believe there is a wood grain enhancer. Worth a google search. Best of luck to you
     
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  4. Nov 19, 2019 #4
    Dismalhead

    Dismalhead Poster Extraordinaire

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    Yeah, I agree that that would look totally cool with a natural finish. I had an amber stained swamp ash body bass - it was absolutely beautiful.
     
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  5. Nov 19, 2019 #5
    Seasicksailor

    Seasicksailor Friend of Leo's

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    Unhelpfully, I wouldn't go for natural. I think I can see from the front that it's a three-piece body. I don't personally like the natural look when the separate pieces are quite evident. Don't get me wrong. The pieces are really well-matched but not perfectly.
    So, yes, my vote goes for something fairly transparent, but not full-on natural.
     
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  6. Nov 19, 2019 #6
    brookdalebill

    brookdalebill Tele Axpert Ad Free Member

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    Another vote for good ol’ “Hippie Natural”.
    The grain looks perfect for it!
     
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  7. Nov 19, 2019 #7
    The Angry Possum

    The Angry Possum Tele-Meister

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    This is a candlenut wood, an inexpensive body. So with that said on how mine came out with a cheap wood, Keep it natural. But def. Use a stain conditioner first. Then spray two coats of clear coat. It will look insane. The jury is in, and natural is the verdict.

    20191117_125354.jpg
     
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  8. Nov 19, 2019 #8
    WingedWords

    WingedWords Tele-Holic

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    White blonde would look good with that grain I reckon.

    157d22d6a83346aee2e51d7308678001.jpg
     
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  9. Nov 19, 2019 #9
    CDox

    CDox TDPRI Member

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    That looks killer
     
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  10. Nov 19, 2019 #10
    reddy2300

    reddy2300 Tele-Meister

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    This is exactly what I was thinking. Only maybe a little lighter on the "color" to show more of the grain.

    I never said the grain didn't look good. I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't like it. ;) It just looks a little bit "uninteresting". (I do like swirls and stuff in ash guitars.)

    Also, since it is multiple pieces, it would lean to needing a slight color so that the joints aren't as apparent.
     
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  11. Nov 19, 2019 #11
    Jerry J

    Jerry J Tele-Afflicted

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    white blonde like a MK strat would look good but also a late 50's SB with red in would look fabulous too!
     
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  12. Nov 20, 2019 #12
    StoogeSurfer

    StoogeSurfer Tele-Afflicted

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    If you're painting it that 'Mary Kaye White' yourself, proceed carefully - it's easy to apply too much paint and obscure the grain (how would I know?) One careful coat might be all you need, and you might test the paint on another similar such piece first.
     
  13. Nov 20, 2019 #13
    reddy2300

    reddy2300 Tele-Meister

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    I plan to use ReRanch aerosol products. I want to err on the side of "less is more" so that I can see the grain. Since I wont need much, I can use part of the can of MKW for practice. And then, 4-5 light coats of clear for some shine without "too much" product. Thank you for the heads-up.

    As soon as I receive the body, I can share more pics. (Tracking through USPS, now.)
     
  14. Nov 20, 2019 #14
    Piggy Stu

    Piggy Stu Friend of Leo's

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    Not a sunburst fan but I vote sunburst
     
  15. Nov 20, 2019 #15
    ladave

    ladave Tele-Holic

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    Definitely Mary Kaye or white blonde for me...are they the same?

    But is it Rosewood or Maple fretboard?
     
  16. Nov 20, 2019 #16
    telepraise

    telepraise Tele-Holic

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    I've seen some really nice finished bodies on Warmoth with grain like that and vintage sunburst. Fill the grain dark first if you want more dramatic.
     
  17. Nov 20, 2019 #17
    AndyPanda

    AndyPanda Tele-Meister

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    I'd put some Tung Oil on it and just enjoy the wood!
     
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  18. Nov 20, 2019 #18
    Biffasmum

    Biffasmum TDPRI Member

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    Gut feel, given the uniform grain, is go for a gradient in parallel with grain direction. You don’t see that very often...
     
  19. Nov 20, 2019 #19
    theprofessor

    theprofessor Friend of Leo's

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    Another vote for Mary Kaye white. Or, if you're going for more opaque, go with one of your favorite opaque colors. Mine are Fiesta Red and Daphne Blue.
     
  20. Nov 20, 2019 #20
    adjason

    adjason Friend of Leo's

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    I'd go natural and then change it years down the road if you don't like it
     
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