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Here is a picture similar to what I received. The issue is that there is an area around the center seam that appears 'bleached out', and is kind of light greyish brown in color. What causes this 'bleaching' effect? When I 'wipe it down' with Naptha, it darkens to a brownish color. I'm wondering how it might look with a finish, and what options I have there. Opinions??
Thanks,

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

Greetings!

The variation in the wood down the back center is just a cut made closer to the center of the tree. This is where the sap flowed. I am not a wood expert, although I have way more than I need, however, this should finish fine but will stay a different color or shade. In a pine tree we call that "heart wood" which is loaded with "pitch" and we use it as a natural fire starter.

That is my guess, the experts can chime in and maybe better answer.

Mike

Crow, it should finish nicely, you can see from some of the other threads, like on the one for Macassar Ebony B&S the sapwood or change in color down the back is desired by many.

That doesn't look like sapwood to me. Sapwood has more contrast. Wet the wood, and you will see a close representation of what it will look like under finish.

Al

It looks as though the blade from the bandsaw that cut it was either dull or the tips of the teeth had something to do with this IMHO.

I don't know a lot about padauk but that looks more like some kind of rot or water/weather marking. If it's solid I'd still use it. You could hide it a little later with some tinted finish as well.

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To me thats not sap .. like the above photo, not creamy enough. Sap wood is on the outside of the tree, next to the bark, not the centre as noted. The final colour (at least for a while, it may oxidize to something else) will be whatever you get when you wet it. You could always stain it, but I hate to do that. If it were me, I would possibly bookmatch the back the other way - most of that would disappear outside the pattern.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks folks!
Interestingly, after I 'wet it down' with Naptha the 'bleached out' areas change, and become more of a light brown. Perhaps the solvent is releasing some of that reddish pigment, or some is bleeding over from adjacent areas. Maybe I will pore fill using sawdust & shellac.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.