Gecko Strat Hollowcaster
Here's top now glued to the body and cut down to almost the right size.
When I start the finish on this top, I will take a solution of BLACK, yes black (or dark brown), dye and cover the entire top of beautiful quilt, obscuring it completely. Then I lightly sand that back so that just the highlights remain dyed. Then the regular top base color, in this case yellow or butterscotch, is put down. In the case of the yellow, it will be another dye mixture. If I use the butterscotch, its a tinted lacquer. I will be testing on the wood scraps you see in the background to see which color/method looks best before I continue.
Notice the penciled in instructions to the builders to make sure they get it right. I had originally asked to cut an F-hole in the upper side but changed my mind before they glued up the top.
If you can read the writing, you can also see other instructions. I guess they're making sure I don't get any "A-holes" with this guitar either. I think that's an extra cost option and they don't want to overcharge and put an "A-hole" in and then have to take it out. :)
Click the image for a larger picture.