Very Dark Walnut Burl Veneer

[kencasino]

I have some walnut veneer -bookmatched- for a drop top bass project. Can anyone recommend how to treat it. It is very dark and I want the features to show up on the final product. I will be applying it to an ash body which I will stain in a contrasting color.

[ihocky2]

First thing I would do is wipe it down with mineral spirits or naptha, while it's still moist you'll get an idea how it will loook with a finish on it. You might be able to get away with just applying your finish and being done with it. If that doesn't help much, I would try testing a scrap piece with some orange shellac. That should help to bring out the grain, and I personally like the way orange shellac really brings out the warmth of walnut. Then you can spray anything over shellac.