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This is my first attempt at a burst - I am pretty excited for how this thing will eventually turn out...

A few things: Super 33 works phenomenally for taping off natural maple bindings - because you can conform to curves and tape the whole guitar off in one pass - however, both catalyzed polyurethane and nitro will begin to attack the tape, so shortly after you spray (at the onset of flashing) you need to gently remove the tape.

Hope you enjoy,
Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Hey Stephen,

That looks killer! I really like the amber hue you've managed to get. What did you use for colour?, alcohol dyes?

Cal

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Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

Yep - right on.

Transtint and alcohol. I hand rubbed an amber mix first, then put a reddish brown over top. After that, I sanded out the whole color, leaving it only in the curls...Then I applied amber again, followed by reddish brown...Following John How - I used steel wool to roughly lighten the center, then mixed progressively more and more dye into some cat poly working from the center of the guitar outwards. It is a bit dark, but it will lighten up when I level it before finishing.

Thanks
Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

That's looking very good so far Stephen. Be sure and post some
more pics when your done. I am thinking about doing my first sunburst on my
next acoustic so I'll be interested to see how yours turns out.
Thanks

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I like the colors but the lower bout seems to have some blotchiness or uneven coloration. Is it so or is it the angle of reflection? If it is so, I would consider sanding back and re-doing until it is even. That's just too pretty a piece of curly maple to not be perfect in the finish.

These bursts are a heck of a lot harder to pull off than it looks...that's why I sent my recent effort out to Joe White.

Perhaps those who have more experience than I can chime in.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

JJ,

There is a very small sag in the lower left bout that I will be sanding out - at this point, I plan on blending the burst more with some high grit paper and steel wool - prior to applying the finish.

In looking more closely at the pictures, I can see what you are saying, but I think it is a combined product of the sag, the very uneven curl distribution, and the picture, because in person it does not appear to be blotchy...The maple is a one piece top that does not have consistent figure throughout...It also has a straight division line between sapwood and heartwood running up the right side. Some areas of the curl sucked in the dyed finish and don't reflect the light and look splotchy...But now that you have pointed that out - be sure to know that I will be asking everyone in my office if that see that same splotchyness and I will address it accordingly...Thank you

When I move on to final finishing, I will post some head on fotos

Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Very nice Steven! Now clean off that work bench!

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jw ( o)===:::

Very cool. Great color.

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Great looking Steve, I don't know if you'd call that a burst as much as shading or highlighting! Whatever it is I think it looks great!!

Bursts alway remind me of cheap plywood guitars painted to look like they're real! This is not what I consider a burst! It looks really tasteful!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Looking good Steve! The bindings came out great too!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Stephen....a guitar? What have you been drinking lately?

Looks great!

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Brad
Avon, OH

Brad, I have been drinking the sweet nectar of using other people's money to build a couple of guitars and invaluable experience while I am still in this "they are not expecting that much from me" phase...

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

A great place to be!

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Brad
Avon, OH

You know Steve my friend there was a time in the past on this forum when showing or even contemplating a burst would be met with a public stoning (not in the Doritos sense........ ) and some pretty strong opposing views. It's great to see that our horizons have broadened somewhat.......... My head is still dented from the burst that I showed here..........

I think that your burst AND guitar looks killer my friend!!!!!

Where's a rock!!!!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)