Want to stain this project (if I do it) with a dark stain, similar to the Faded brown Gibson used in some SG's.
Ideas???
Ideas???
Best Dark Stain For Possible SG Build:
- Thread starter Inspector #20
- Start date
OP
Like this without rhe black edge fade:
syscokid
Ambassador of War & Peace
Pick a color...
www.stewmac.com
ColorTone Liquid Stains - StewMac
ColorTone Liquid Stains mix into most finishes and deliver hues that highlight wood grain on guitars, amps, and more. Backed by our Lifetime Promise.
OP
Ok! Yes, it's bare mahogany. That's great news!
SG John
Ambassador of Cool Guitars and Amps.
This is what I used for the Thunderbird and the backside and neck of the Billy Bo that I built.
General Finishes Dye Stain, Vintage Cherry, Pint
General Finishes Dye Stain, Vintage Cherry, Pint
OP
Great! That's good to know. Of course, I don't need another guitar!!!!
OP
So black to bring out grain.....
Then sand smooth
Then, I'm guessing a mix of brown, yellow and orange ge to capture this hue????
OP
I'm thinking mahogany brown mixed with orange...
StrumerJoe
Well-Known Member
Let the grain filler dry thoroughly before sanding, - a mix of brown and orange may get you there. Practice on scrap until you get the desired color - and write down how much of each ingredient you use so you can repeat the color, or get very close, in the future.
I like aniline dyes. Preferably powdered because it is easier to measure and replicate colors than liquid, but the liquids are fine too. It is water and alcohol soluble, and can also be used to tint lacquers and shellacs.
I prefer to stain the wood myself. It really brings out the figure in maples rather than coating with a tinted topcoat. I also prefer to stain unfigured woods before a clear coat too. It makes for easier finish repairs if needed. I'd rather do a drop fill on a crystal clear coat that try to match a tinted top coat.
Aniline Dye Water/Alcohol & Walnut Crystal Price List
Buy Alcohol/WaterAniline Dye, and Walnut Crystals Wood Dyes. Transparent dye materials for raw or stripped wood & tintig finishes.
www.shellac.net
There is nothing wrong with the stains from Stew Mac either.
OP
Thanks for this. I think my final top coat will be Tru Oil.
StrumerJoe
Well-Known Member
Here is some good info on Tru oil vs. Danish oil. Both are good for differing reasons that boil down to preference of the user.
What You Need To Know About Danish Oil vs Tru Oil
Does Tru oil hold up as an alternative to Danish oil? Well, keep reading to learn more on the in’s and out’s of these two popular wood finishes…
www.thewoodworkplace.com
OP
Awesome, Thanks!!!!
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Robert, I have built luxurious Cherry raised panel wall treatments and full height floor to ceiling entertainment center/shelving units using cherry plywood and solid cherry wood. The Stains I used were your basic over the counter Minwax type Red Mahogany and of course your Poly Clear you like.
My faded SG is a Walnut brown which is different than the pic you posted.
OP
Getting this color from the Gretsch will be a challenge!!!!
I'm thinking dark brown grain filler rather than black, then mixing a mahogany stain with varying amounts of orange and yellow.....
syscokid
Ambassador of War & Peace
Both guitars are mahogany and finished in Tru-Oil. Guitar on left is a 2002 Special Faded that was originally Worn Cherry. Stripped down, no grain filler, dyed Miniwax some-type-of green, ...Tru-Oiled. The guitar on right, from a PGK kit, ebony grain filler, dyed Heritage Cherry (Stewmac water based stain). ...Tru-Oiled. Both guitars were sanded ultra-fine before getting oiled. As far as feeling your guitar wood is concerned... NOTHING beats the feeling of a guitar properly finished in Tru-Oil.
StrumerJoe
Well-Known Member
syscokid
Ambassador of War & Peace
He's a cute li'l f-er, and means no harm. If you feed him a constant diet of Black Sabbath, UFO, and early David Bowie, he's really happy...
Session 5
Ambassador of Strings & Wings
OP
So, I've been watching videos and everyone says sand with 220# to prep for grain filler and nearly everyone is using a water based filler.
I see some problems here.
First, 220# will change the shape of the guitar and alter the corner profiles. I don't want to do that.
Secondly, I would only use a solvent based grain filler because I don't want to add moisture to the wood.
My thoughts on this project are to "go against the grain" (pun) and start by sanding the guitar and neck very, very, very smooth and preserve the size of the guitar and the shape/edge profiles.
This is how we used to refinish gun stocks and it worked very, very well.
I think that by getting everything super slick and smooth, I can apply some dark walnut oil based Oxford brand grain filler from Solo Guitars and avoid adding moisture which always causes swelling to some degree.
After resanding, I thought I would get some small cans of wood stain from home depot, perhaps dark walnut and some amber and perhaps orange, and see how closely I can duplicate this color found on the China Gretsch.
After that, I would simply finish with Tru Oil.
Headstock face will get painted satin black.
Thinking outloud of course, since I don't even have the body and neck yet....LOL
I see some problems here.
First, 220# will change the shape of the guitar and alter the corner profiles. I don't want to do that.
Secondly, I would only use a solvent based grain filler because I don't want to add moisture to the wood.
My thoughts on this project are to "go against the grain" (pun) and start by sanding the guitar and neck very, very, very smooth and preserve the size of the guitar and the shape/edge profiles.
This is how we used to refinish gun stocks and it worked very, very well.
I think that by getting everything super slick and smooth, I can apply some dark walnut oil based Oxford brand grain filler from Solo Guitars and avoid adding moisture which always causes swelling to some degree.
After resanding, I thought I would get some small cans of wood stain from home depot, perhaps dark walnut and some amber and perhaps orange, and see how closely I can duplicate this color found on the China Gretsch.
After that, I would simply finish with Tru Oil.
Headstock face will get painted satin black.
Thinking outloud of course, since I don't even have the body and neck yet....LOL