Re: How are the Mighty Mite Tele bodies?
I wouldn't worry about tudor's experience. It sounds like a rare occurrence. First of all the veneer top is Maple. It's not photoflame. But veneer won't have as much 3-D to it as an 1/8" top, becuase the wood simply isn't there to reflect the light. Plus, trans black (and the other trans colors from MM) are done by dying the clear coat. It's sprayed on over the wood. The best way to get figured Maple to jump out is to stain it directly. Tinting the clear masks the figure. Trans Black is the darkest, and therefore most "hiding" of all their finishes. I would take the sunburst every time. The figure will look better. Perhaps more important to me, the non-burst colors reveal the veneer line all the way around the guitar. You can see it even in the photos.
You shouldn't need to route the bridge pickup cavity. MM wouldn't make a mistake like that, because these bodies are exactly the same as current production guitars. It's possible that his pickup baseplate was a little larger, or positioned differently, but MM bodies are about as standard as they come.
As for the Ash, it's real Ash. When you chisel Ash it's so porous it can crunch together and come off in little chips, but really that cavity should have been routed, not chiseled. It is extremely common for veneer to really be made up of two thin layers. First is the figured top, then another layer equally as thin running cross grained with the Maple. That could also be what he saw under there, but it's completely normal. You don't need that with an 1/8" top like Warmoth uses.
Finally, JC's Guitars is local to me, and he's a good friend. You will always enjoy dealing with him. He's good friends with people at Mighty Mite (also local) and he generally gets good product from them. He also isn't afraid to return product if it's not of good quality. I would trust him every step of the way. I don't want to make extra work for JC, but I believe if you asked for a lightweight body he'd probably pick one out for you. Those are mostly lightweight anyway, but every once in awhile I've seen some heavy clunkers in the bunch.
I used to work for & run Mighty Mite sales (before JC's was even in business) and it was different then. They only sold Soft Maple bodies, no veneers, no Ash, etc. It was right at the end of my era that they started doing Ash bodies and eventually veneer tops. So I'm familiar with the product if you have other questions.
Also I'd take the sunburst body with a clear acrylic guard.
