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I'm contemplating a variation of a sunburst on my mahogany neck. The EIR sides and back of this guitar are VERY dark and I would like the neck to also be very dark at the body joint and at the headstock but get some lighter tones through the middle of the neck.

My first thought was a very deep stain that I coud sand off through the middle sections but I don't know if a stain will go dark enough or leave an even enough color tone. Also wondered if a type of paint or dye might be a better choice. Don't really want any yellow as in a true sun or amberburst just a light wood tone contrasted against the darker tones.

I hope the question is clear enough.

Any finish suggestions or experiences?

Thanks in advance

Larry

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Larry I have had good luck tinting Target Coatings WB shellac for this purpose. I use there concentrated dyes to tint and a double action air brush to apply. The air brush allows great contol to acheive what your trying to accomplish. I follow up with a few clear coats and on to finish. You have to be careful not to sand thru because it's a bear to get it back to where you had it.

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1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Thanks for the reply Bob but I have a very low tech set-up and no access to an air brush. Is it possible, in your opinion, to sand off just the right amount of a dark stain or paint to achieve a similar effect? I'm shooting in the dark here hoping someone might have tried this and am continually hampered with a defict of tools and finish techniques and in many cases materials like Target finishes and special dyes or tints.

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Sounds like an interesting project. I never tried to sand to a sunburst affect but.... how about smoothing a scrape piece of wood and doing an experimenting first? Love to know how it comes out. Maybe a pic or two?

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

[QUOTE=LarryH] Is it possible, in your opinion, to sand off just the right
amount of a dark stain or paint to achieve a similar effect?[/QUOTE]

I have done some headstock repair where a little sunbursting was mandatory
to hide the finish damage. Regular hardware store Mintwax stain mixed with
thick laquer, a lot of patience, steel wool and naphta for cleaning and
blending in was all I used (I had no airbrush). Like Bob says, when the
sunbursting is right apply the finish over it and do not sand through at any
cost.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Larry I suppose you could but I would try experimenting on scrap first. I think it's pretty tough to sand something that penetrates into the wood and predict the results. Maybe one of our sunburst gurus will jump in with some advice. I'm sure there are other ways to accomplish this.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

[QUOTE=Bobc] Larry I suppose you could but I would try experimenting on scrap first. I think it's pretty tough to sand something that penetrates into the wood and predict the results. Maybe one of our sunburst gurus will jump in with some advice. I'm sure there are other ways to accomplish this.[/QUOTE]

Yeah that's exactly my concern and the product used would be crucial I would think. Paint being a little easier to control as it may not penetrate as much but could look really lame, kinda like paint. And stain with a nicer warmer look but impossible to control as you suggest and the biggest downside is continually sanding on the neck to achieve the desired reults. Could end up with a crazy neck shape.

Also just realized that the fingerboard will have to be attached and all finished sanding complete before attempting as any sanding around the fingerboard after the fact will change the effect.

I'll probably try something cause i can't get the idea out of my head. Don't know what quite yet.LarryH38760.5334953704

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Larry here's another idea. Check out ReRanch guittars supplies. Sunburst in a can.
http://home.flash.net/~guitars/

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Larry, I know this isn't what you asked and is probably useless to you, but I'll just throw it out in case it's an option you hadn't thought of... make an EIR neck to match the back and sides.

My suggestion reveals my biases: 1)I don't like sunbursts, 2)I love necks that match bodies.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I don't think you can get the look you want by sanding through. Get the color stain that is compatible with your finish and mix it with your clear. Use a Preval disposable spray gun and spray the heel and peghead until you get the color you want, feather into the natural mahogany. These are available from Stew Mac or from most paint stores for around 4 bucks each. Shoot or brush clear over this and the natural mahogany should be the right color for the rest of it. What type finish are you using? We could tell you where to get stains if we knew that.

http://www.burkettguitars.com/sapl00/sapl00nk1.jpg
http://www.burkettguitars.com/ajheelcap.jpg

Another option is to thin the stain and rub it into the bare wood on the heel and peghead until you match the rosewood body. Then spray or brush the clear over it.

The ReRanch aerosol cans that Bob suggested should work. I've never used them so I can't be sure if they would be compatible with the finish you are using.

James Burkett38760.6718865741

Thanks James those pics are really nice. I went with 3 colors of stain and feathered them in as best I could. I think it is going to look OK. I'm trying to upload some prelimnary pics.LarryH38760.7071412037

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I tried Olympic oil based stians in Mahogany, Dark Ebony and Mocha Brown. Haven't sanded yet, just wiped and blended. Looks pretty cool. I'll put some finish on and check in again.

Larry



LarryH38760.7163425926

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Larry, your choice of footwear frightens me, y'know.

If you're just finishing, yeah. If you're doing ANYTHING else, wear proper footwear. Seriously, don't ask me how I know this....

Larry,
The neck looks fine. I think it will look great when you put the clear on it.