Ahrrrrgh!!!

So I haven't posted new pics in a few weeks, but I've made some progress.  Well sort of...I also kind of screwed it up a little.  You see, I started the finishing process and it hasn't exactly gone as planned.  I followed all the instructions/advice about applying the Danish Oil, but unfortunately the process did not yield the results I was hoping for.  I ended up applying 3 coats of the Medium Walnut tinted Danish Oil, and 3 coats of the natural/clear Danish Oil.  The trouble started with the Medium Walnut application.  I sealed up the wood first using the shellac coat, and then applied the oil by brushing it on, letting it sit for about 15 minutes (as I was instructed) and then wiping it off with a rag.  And that was the big mistake.  By brushing the oil on and letting it sit, it allowed the oil to soak into the wood and it ended up blotching a little bit on the end grains of some areas of the carving.  The result is a not-so-great look of dark blotchy areas.  But this is a learning experience and so I'm going to take this as just one of those lessons about wood working and not get too bent out of shape about it.  Yeah, it sucks, but hey it's my first time doing this so I was bound to make a big mistake.  What I should have done instead of brushing on the oil, was just wipe it on with the rag, and wipe it off immediately.  It would have given me the brownish-tint I was going for without soaking deep into the wood and blotching.  But at least I know for next time.  Here are some pics below so you can see the resultant finish.  I've mounted the neck and also applied the aluminum shielding in the electronics pockets which will help reduce electrical noise.

I've also been busy working on some other stuff that I don't have pics of yet.  I have the East Indian rosewood pickguard and rear cavity plate completed.  I applied about 15 coats of the clear Danish oil (using the wipe on method instead of brush on) and it turned out great.  I also created some pickup covers out of both walnut and rosewood.  I'm not sure which one I'll use yet, but I'll finish both and see which looks better.  Once it's all together I'll post pics.