Rustic Esquire build

Here’s the victim donor for this assembly project.

Mighty Mite Telecaster body, 3 piece swamp ash, weighing a very back friendly 3lbs 13oz.  I am planning a semi-rustic finish for this guitar – I’m very much the archetypal “bedroom” hack, so a durable finish to handle life on the road isn’t necessary. To that end, I am using shellac.

I’ve used shellac on a few necks before, and like the feel and look. It can be applied by spray, padding or french polishing, is non toxic and can be easily repaired. As I have no spray gun and nowhere to spray, padding is the way to go.

It’s like french polishing for beginners but instead of pumice and good technique I am using the “wipe on and leave it” method.

Here’s the supplies along with the ever handy Bench Cookies bought from Rutlands.

Missing from the photo is the methylated spirits used to thin the shellac.

Next…grain filling.