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Gilded guitar?
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=16104		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Gilded guitar?
I have this set of Indian rosewood which has a beautiful glassy tap tone but has this awful discoloration right in the center:

Image

It looks even worse under a wipe of shellac. In the past I have thought about gilding a guitar in silver or copper leaf and applying a chemical patination to explore different textures and colors than wood allows. This seems a great opportunity to try it and use a great sounding but aesthetically unacceptable wood. Has anyone heard of someone doing this? Can you think of a reason why I shouldn't?
Author:  David Collins [ Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
I can't really see the discoloration in the photo, but If you don't like it I would just paint or shade it. I don't know about gilding though. Harpsichord trim and picture frames do alright, but on a guitar back I would be concerned with how gracefully it would weather and wear. Back and sides of a guitar may be a high traffic area for gold leaf.

I guess if you try it though I can check back in thirty years and find out. ;)
Author:  Jamie_M [ Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
What about staining so you still get the wood grain? That way you could have the back, sides, and headstock veneer all matching.
Just a thought since know nothing about gilding.
Author:  Jim Watts [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
Their is a builder, Tom Cerletti who has done gilded/patina'd finishes on his instruments and they are absolutely beautiful. I don't believe Tom is currently building (but don't really know either) so it may be hard to find a picture of one, but if you can find one it'd be worth a look.
Here's a cello maker who's on the wild side for cellos anyway and uses gold leaf on some of her instruments. Anne also likes to paint on the inside of her instruments. Have a look:
http://www.annecoleviolinmaker.com/cellos.php
I've personally seen the gold leaves and it's really nice.
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
Thanks Jim; I found an archtop that David Marks gilded:

http://www.djmarks.com/portfolio/cerlettiguitar.asp

I bet close up that is one spectacular instrument.
Author:  Jim Watts [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
Glad you found one.
On Anne Coles web site it's the Aspen cello that has aspens leaves falling down the back done in gold leaf. I should have been more specific, you can click on the back image and get a good view of it. Very nice.
Author:  Alexandru Marian [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
You mean the yellowish spots, they seem to be common on IRW. How about doing a bit of FP over it see how it looks. I think under finish it could look much better.
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
Jim_W wrote:
Glad you found one.
On Anne Coles web site it's the Aspen cello that has aspens leaves falling down the back done in gold leaf. I should have been more specific, you can click on the back image and get a good view of it. Very nice.


Very tastefully done. I love her scroll carvings.
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
AlexM wrote:
You mean the yellowish spots, they seem to be common on IRW. How about doing a bit of FP over it see how it looks. I think under finish it could look much better.


Under a wipe of shellac they look pretty awful.
Author:  Laurent Brondel [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
What's wrong with putting the center "outside"? Should fall around the waist.
Author:  Alexandru Marian [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
Oh well, sorry it didn't work. But read this thread. In the end they sent me a different set without yellow patches so I have no follow up

viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=15509&hilit=
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
laurent wrote:
What's wrong with putting the center "outside"? Should fall around the waist.


Pitch pockets on the outside
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
Ringo,

I use an oil-based pore filler that I tint with oil-based stain. It doesn't take anything away from the wood grain, in fact it enhances it. It also greatly evens out the colors. This would probably greatly reduce the problem. Sanding will also help.
Author:  JBreault [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
I used minwax brand Brazilian Rosewood gel stain on my last guitar. It was a set of opportunity grade EIR from Allied. The stain worked beautifully and really made the wood pop. I say go with stain...although a gilded guitar would be interesting.
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
I like the staining idea, and would certainly try that before either gilding, or in frustration throwing it away.
In fact, you could try wiping it down with acetone, which will pick up the oils in the wood surrounding that spot, and move them all over the piece. That will be tricky if you use a light colored seam inlay, but do-able without one. Or, could you trim out that section, and perhaps fit in a center piece for a three piece back?

More grist for your mill...

Steve
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gilded guitar?
Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm really more interested in potential reasons why I shouldn't gild than ways to cover up the stain. I think I am going to go for it; if it turns out badly I can always scrape the gilding off and start fresh...
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