• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Staining wood for guitar finish

I'm trying to decide between cherry red or amber for a stain on my strat project.

My problem is this: I really want to make the grain stand out. There's some really good flame in spots and I'm worried the stain isn't going to do it the justice it deserves. The body is ash, really heavy! Yeah!


I found this on the topic - not sure on it's credibility. Also it refers to a maple lam. top and mine is solidbody.
http://projectguitar.com/tut/3d.htm

I read that staining it ebony, black, or dark brown, then sanding it down before staining with the intended color is what does this.
...Just wondering if anyone had experience or advice on this???

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • jim m
  • jim m
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  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: Staining wood for guitar finish

I deal with wood finishing quite a bit in my day job. If you have a solid ash body you probably have a grain pattern not flame. Flame is more a characteristic of maple. I would venture a guess that most guitar finishes are done with a dye stain. There are also chemicals that will bring out the flame in maple.

The finish described is a do it yourself type finish process. Something you can go it to your local Sherwin Williams and buy your materials. Certainly sounds like that process would show up the grain. It also could be achieved by tinting wood filler. Actually a book could be written on the many finishing techniques that are possible.

The best stains for bringing out those intense colors you are talking about are aniline (sp)? dye stains which are alcohol thinned materials.

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  • From: Sandy Eggo
  • Registered: 2007-04-29
  • Posts: 1,369

Re: Staining wood for guitar finish

Pics?

"Music is the only thing that you can share with a million million people and you don't lose, you gain. It helps you to get energy and to live long, because when your soul is very happy then you don't want to die." - Ali Akbar Khan
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Staining wood for guitar finish

I'll post pics as soon as I'm ready to start a finish. 


THANKS!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,855

Re: Staining wood for guitar finish

Tru-Oil

  • From: Edgewater, FL
  • Registered: 2007-12-08
  • Posts: 5,046

Re: Staining wood for guitar finish

Nic, I use a sanding sealer first.  You may not want to stain it after that.

You want a pic?

goodluck
bigjeff

Rock On & Keep the FAITH
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  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Staining wood for guitar finish

bigjeffjones wrote:

Nic, I use a sanding sealer first.  You may not want to stain it after that.

You want a pic?

goodluck
bigjeff

yeah,

I heard sanding sealer is before the finish and after stain.


I'm trying to decide between cherry red and amber for a stain...

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool