For stains, I think swamp ash grain pops a little more and you can get it as a layer of it over alder. (the guitar above does look good though!)

If really going over the top, some black binding would look smashing too

Swamp ash is def more interesting to look at than alder, and you can get that roasted too, wouldn't need to do a lam top (saves money).

I originally wanted to do a basic blond tele, but that roasted alder body was on sale so I grabbed it. Noticeably darker than regular alder, so blond was a no-go, but it worked out fine cause the roasted alder goes well with the roasted maple neck.

MoreSpaceEcho wrote: Sun May 11, 2025 11:37 am

cakes wrote: Sun May 11, 2025 9:56 am I'm thinking transparent brown (classic walnut look)

If you like that look and want to save some money, get an unfinished roasted alder body and just put a few coats of tru-oil on it, looks like this:

Nice. I was wondering about that.

I did Olympic White on my Warmoth Tele Custom build. I wanted something light when not playing my Bean or ECG, so I went with a Warmoth light weight Ash body, roasted maple neck with dark rosewood fretboard, Fralin Wide Range Humbucker and a Blues Special Tele bridge pickup, Nitro Lacquer finish, Starr electronics, and about 6 coats clear satin lacquer.

That looks killer! Blues Special in the bridge on mine too, love it.

MoreSpaceEcho wrote: Sun May 11, 2025 6:10 pm That looks killer! Blues Special in the bridge on mine too, love it.

Thanks!

Yeah that BS in the bridge rules, I was slightly skeptical, but it sounded exactly how I wanted it to. Fralin is my go to for pickups now.

Larry Cragg sells these bad bitch standard Tele pickups he designed if yall ever want. Frakin makes them but you have to reach out to him to buy. Moderate output, perfectly suitable for rock n roll.

Owen wrote: Sun May 11, 2025 3:38 pm

I did Olympic White on my Warmoth Tele Custom build. I wanted something light when not playing my Bean or ECG, so I went with a Warmoth light weight Ash body, roasted maple neck with dark rosewood fretboard, Fralin Wide Range Humbucker and a Blues Special Tele bridge pickup, Nitro Lacquer finish, Starr electronics, and about 6 coats clear satin lacquer.

Whoa. That's a gorgeous guitar. Y'know, if you've ever considered swapping the pick guard for a tortoise-shell look, I have one lying around that I ordered mistakenly I could just send. (Intending to buy the Tele Deluxe pickguard, I'd ordered a Custom. So it's just sitting here unused.)

Maurice wrote: Mon May 12, 2025 10:14 am Whoa. That's a gorgeous guitar. Y'know, if you've ever considered swapping the pick guard for a tortoise-shell look, I have one lying around that I ordered mistakenly I could just send. (Intending to buy the Tele Deluxe pickguard, I'd ordered a Custom. So it's just sitting here unused.)

Thanks! I really dig it. You know me, you know I dig some tort.

Owen wrote: Mon May 12, 2025 1:07 pm

Maurice wrote: Mon May 12, 2025 10:14 am Whoa. That's a gorgeous guitar. Y'know, if you've ever considered swapping the pick guard for a tortoise-shell look, I have one lying around that I ordered mistakenly I could just send. (Intending to buy the Tele Deluxe pickguard, I'd ordered a Custom. So it's just sitting here unused.)

Thanks! I really dig it. You know me, you know I dig some tort.

That's beautiful. What's the colour/finish?