toddler68 Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 I read Scott Rosenberger's very thorough description of how to apply a flame top to a body. I am wondering if I can do this with veneer across 2 dimensions (compound curve). I have this old Mockingbird I thought I'd sacrafice as my first mod and I tried to approximate the general curve of my Ibanez S. After getting the general topography of the body, the wood (laminated basswood or alder) didn't seem very appealing grain wise. So, I thought it might be cool to throw a nice flame veneer on top. I have seen production S models with a cool transparent blue finish (only on a 7-string version) over flame maple. I read that the top is only about 1/16th inch veneer and wondered how the factory does it. Any clue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanKirk Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Yikes! You double posted this topic If you use the search function you'll find a whole thread dedicated to this very subject. The general concensus, if I remember, was...no. But double check the thread to make sure. Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughthammer Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.ph...151&hl=compound this is the topic, vankirk spoke of... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJohn Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 My $0.02-I've had some good luck with soaking veneer in de-ionized water and using heat to form it to a surface.But.It has to be done VERY slowly and you do run the risk of it splitting when it dries.Instead of trying to do full coverage in one shot,try it in several. I mean rough form it,then hold the veneer in place with damp cloths backing it and leave until the cloths are dry.Then use steam to fine tune the shape.I've seen some pretty wild veneer jobs in modern industrial cabinet making,although that does involve treated wood and speacialized machinery. I'll give it a shot starting tonight using some pine vener that I have laying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 As I remember in another articule you can use rice wine (has certain property's) to help make the curves......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 Here's the thread Brian mentioned: http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=6839 for your convenience . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddler68 Posted April 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 Yeah, sorry about the double post. I got an error sending the first time so I tried again. Thanks all for the links and tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddler68 Posted April 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 From the sounds of things, this complicated veneering thing doesn't appear to be something a newbie like me should be attempting. Although the sake soaking technique intrigues me. Maybe I'll just paint it the original black color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivin Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 What about veneering a very subtle compound curve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJohn Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 Okey-dokey,water is deionized,double filtered and mixed,(6-1{water/vinegar}),with rice wine vinegar.The veneer,(1/16")is soaking for the next 24 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbkim Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 Okey-dokey,water is deionized,double filtered and mixed,(6-1{water/vinegar}),with rice wine vinegar.The veneer,(1/16")is soaking for the next 24 hours. Sounds delicious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJohn Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 Okey-dokey,water is deionized,double filtered and mixed,(6-1{water/vinegar}),with rice wine vinegar.The veneer,(1/16")is soaking for the next 24 hours. Sounds delicious! lol Okay-have added some black food colouring to the liquid and am going to let it soak for a day or two.So far the veneer is extremely pliable in all directions. Brian-thanks for the rice vinegar tip,the wood has taken on about a 20% greater flexiabilty than just water. I was thinking of using it to do an inlay on the back of a neck-but I wondr if that will answer anything.-thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
projectgongshow Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 So like when are the perogies done?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJohn Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 So like when are the perogies done?? lol I'll have mine with fried pepper's and sour cream please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank falbo Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 I didn't read the other posts, so forgive me if this has been mentioned, but if it's a subtle enough curve like an S series, couldn't you use a few sandbags and some extra weight on top? That should give a similar effect as a vacuum press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddler68 Posted April 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2004 Yeah I tried test bending some beech veneer (dry even) over the Mockingbird and it's a subtle enough curve that I think just a little steam will do the trick. The compound curve is even more pronounced than the S. I'm sure if anyone has a Sabre they'd like to veneer, it would be a breeze. I'd still like to try the rice wine for good measure, push the envelope a little on something more radical. I'll post pics of my veneer job when my never-ending basement remodel is done and I have a shop again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragasguitars Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 (edited) 11 Edited March 19, 2005 by Ragasguitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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