Primal Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 I don't ever recall seeing a dyed guitar with an oil finish. Is this a bad idea? I have a flamed maple top that I will be using for my next guitar, but I don't have the equipment to do a laquer or nitro finish. I was wanting to dye it (i.e. dye, sand back, etc). If I do that, could I use a finish like Formy's Tung oil or Minwax Wipe-on Poly(even though its not really an oil finish)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnewman Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 (edited) From what I understand, with "aniline dyes" (no promises on anything else) like transfast, transtint, etc., you should be fine with ANY finish as they are actual dyes that soak into the wood and all the solvent evaporates leaving just the color in the wood itself. If you get a pigment-based stain (as opposed to a dye), you're getting little bitty particles of color in a binder that's usually lacquer or varnish based that don't soak into the wood, they just sit in crevices in the wood in a very thin coat of varnish or lacquer - and those are NOT necessarily compatible with other finish types. Edited June 24, 2005 by jnewman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
82DeanZ Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 (edited) I just finished a guitar that was dyed directly and finished with Miniwax tung oil. It was swamp ash and not flame maple, however. Here's what it looks like finished: Here's the thread that discusses how I did it along with some progress pictures. http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=16827 Edited June 24, 2005 by 82DeanZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted June 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 Awesome, thanks. I'll definately read that thread when I start my next project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted June 24, 2005 Report Share Posted June 24, 2005 I'm experimenting with Tru Oil (but no dyes), and it definitely adds a bit of an amber tint to everything. So practice on scraps and adjust your dye colors accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted June 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 I used Tru-Oil to finish my first guitar. Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed with it. Of course, I didn't follow the directions to the T, and now I'm wishing I had used the method of prepping the wood by using wet-dry sandpaper and Tru-Oil to sand and then fill the grain in the wood. My biggest gripe was that it took so long to cure. It does add a bit of amber to it though, which I liked. This discussion is pretty much moot now anyway seeing as how I have yet again changed my mind about my next project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
82DeanZ Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 (edited) My biggest gripe was that it took so long to cure. Edited June 25, 2005 by 82DeanZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_A_T_T Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 82DeanZ, that Tele looks nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
82DeanZ Posted June 25, 2005 Report Share Posted June 25, 2005 82DeanZ, that Tele looks nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Check out Ken Bebensee. He does a lot of stained oil finishes and they look great in my opinion. This one is great. And check out this awesome blue-green bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ooten2 Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Check out Ken Bebensee. He does a lot of stained oil finishes and they look great in my opinion. This one is great. And check out this awesome blue-green bass. ← Exactly!! I've had my eye on that site for quite awhile. I love the color on that Joelaine bass! I also like his tailpieces, like on this one. http://www.kbguitars.com/gallery/view.php?gid=5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 (edited) Oh yeah, that's one of my favorites! Ken's work is amazing. His tailpieces and bridges are very cool as well as the overall balance of his designs. And he is a super cool guy too. This one is my absolute favorite from Ken. Edited June 27, 2005 by Myka Guitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ooten2 Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 I don't think I've ever seen an oil finish, or any finish for that matter, that looks as nice as those KB's. They are really beautiful IMHO. If I had the time and money, I would like to take his apprenticeship program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Yea, I've seen those KB basses. Anyone have any clue how he goes it? I'm guessing he starts with a dark stain and does a stain/sand back type method and then uses the lighter colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 this neck I stained black and tung oiled it. It lightened the color to a purplish-dark grey color, not the dark black (almost ebony looking) like it was before the oil, but I wanted the feel of bare wood, and didn't want to leave it bare since it is rather thin. It works, the only problem is that it will lighten the color of the stain, and since you have to rubb the oil in to saturate the wood, there is no way around it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backwoodsguitars Posted July 3, 2005 Report Share Posted July 3, 2005 Does anyone know what he uses for the metal saddles in his wooden bridges? Does he make them himself or can they be purchased? Backwoods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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