Joined, Sanded body

This is the clear Telecaster template we are using.  This shape is traced on the body.  Sounds simple, but at this point you really want to see the position of the shape against the wood.  You want to note the lines and patterns in the wood to begin to imagine how the guitar will look.  This is where the personalization of the piece starts.  The best analogy I can use is like going to the Grand Canyon.  When you see pictures or hear of descriptions, you hear yea, its big or very beautiful.  But actually being at the rim of the Grand Canyon can you only appreciate the magnatude of what you are looking at.  Same true for a simple piece of Swamp Ash.  Yes it is just wood, but I see much more.