Interesting looking builds there @clinton - both the range of styles and finishes.

I need to know more about the single cut, hollowbody, that also looks to have quite a thin body?

@tv1010101 They are both 1 1/4 inch thick semi hollow center block. Finishing up the red one today.

 I used Keda dye for the green. Still new at all this for I always used oil stain prior. Wished I dyed it black first and sanded for the grain to pop more but got intimidated. Now I know.

 The red one is permanent alcohol ink stain. Quite nice how that turns out. Definitely gonna be a solid  color choice staining. 

The green one also has a piezo tune o matic bridge pick up along with a P90 neck pick up. Alder with purpleheart fretboard. Interesting tone in the middle position. Sounds like a super beefed up Acoustic guitar.

I’m really interested in the Tune-O-Matic (or any other product from Wallace and Grommet Ltd). Is it just wired in as a separate pick up or is it always paired with another? How acoustic does/can it actually sound?

@clinton I especially like the green monster! Very cool! It really suits the style of the guitar.

Tried it with guitars and quite gratifying having different mindsets going in the creative process of the journey.

@clinton Nice guitar builds. It is interesting taking on two builds at once, I did it recently too. I concentrated on on closer to the end as I nearly made a big mistake with one of them. They are both Barncasters but one is left handed (the first left handed one I’ve built), it got quite confusing from time to time. I will definitely do multiple builds again but I would like it better if they were both right handed. 

@clinton Great builds. I particularly like the green hollowbody. Very nice indeed.

@darrenking Hi, a friend of mine gave me this Tune O Matic Bridge Pick up as a gift. I’ve had it for quite some time. The bridge has piezo installed underneath each of the saddles and out goes a ground and hot wire and installed like a regular pick up. I used 250k pots but wished I opted for 500k for more range. A hole needs to be drilled underneath the bridge saddle to channel through the wiring harness. A bit tricky but not too bad. Interesting sound and you can feel each string having its own pickup and kinda sounds like the dynamics of an airy acoustic tone.

@johnnierox-boo Hi yes, I like it. Keeps the momentum going and actually gets me focused on being 2 steps ahead as I alternate tasks. Haste had always been my downfall and it just keeps me more preoccupied and actually taking almost the same amount of time.

@david-johnson09 Thanks, turned out allright. Just finished the red one. I am pleased. Learned so much on what to do next time around. Particularly color dye staining.

I’m really interested in the Tune-O-Matic

@darrenking

I've got one in my box-of-bits at the moment.  It's in need of some TLC before I install it as - according to the person who donated it to me - it's not working reliably!  I'm guessing that it's just a wiring/connection issue somewhere as the concept is pretty simple and there aren't a lot of components!

I'd say get hold of one (not so easy in the UK as their distribution isn't great) if you can, and try it out on a build ...

The green one also has a piezo tune o matic bridge pick up along with a P90 neck pick up. Alder with purpleheart fretboard. Interesting tone in the middle position. Sounds like a super beefed up Acoustic guitar.

Thanks for all the extra details on "the green one" @clinton.  I thought it looked like an interesting concept!

You might have just given me some inspiration for my next build/s.

A hollowbody with some not-f-shaped-f-holes.  Perhaps get my piezo loaded bridge sorted out and working and use that.

?

Particularly color dye staining.

I've had some "fun" with staining too @clinton.

Of all the products that I've tried, I've found the Crimson stains to be the most reliable.  They're pretty easy to apply and to finish, and the results are - I think - pretty good.

I prefer staining and oiling rather than painting.  It always seems mad that some people choose beautiful pieces of wood, spend hours carving it, hours more sanding it ... and then suffocate it under layers of opaque paint!

I'd rather be able to see, and feel, the grain of the wood when I'm playing the instrument.

Plus, I've got no paint spraying kit or experience!!

@tv1010101 Yes, it is interesting. I recommend to do a 5 way switch or a kill switch to get maximum tonal selection having the piezo just as an added bonus for it might come in handy for live performances, honestly I feel it is more of a novelty having it more than anything, figured I'd try it out. I am upgrading mine to 5 way selector with a Wilkinson humbucker on the bridge as well. Just ordered and waiting for the parts.

@tv1010101 I hear you on that. I cannot muster myself to paint a slab of curly maple. Will try the Crimson Product. Already planning my next build.

Wilkinson P90s M Series

@clinton Go Jimi 🤘😎🤘🎸 Sounds great, I love those pickups. I’ve got a few too, I’ll be using them in future build coming soon later this year.