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Has anyone ever had to deal with something like this?
It showed up while carving the neck. The wood seems as solid as the surrounding wood, it's just badly discolored. I'm hoping someone has some tips on a way to make better at least.
Thanks

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

it should sand out. looks like tooling burn but can't tell without touchie feelie. Once you sand and stain it will hide
john hall
blues creek guitars

It does look like a burn, but I'm not that fast with my rasp.
It's actually a discoloration of the wood.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

   it is hard to tell 100% without seeing it. I think it will stain out when you get that far. Of course you can send it back to your supplier and ask for another
john

I have one on the neck I'm working now. The scariest part was that there was no sign until i started shaping, then there was a core like a knot or some rot. I kept going to my rough-out shape and it was gone. There was varying discoloration until it was out of my cut area. I got lucky and it happened to be in my waste. I couldn't have predicted it before I cut.

I tell you this to demonstrate that it may sand out, if it is the same type of problem I encountered. In my neck it was very localized.

The choices for you are . . how much can I mess with my neck contour . . Can I (or the customer) live with it (it's a feature!) . . will I start over if it doesn't .

Best luck,
--Mark Joy

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Mark Joy

mjoy Guitars

Hi Jim,
I purchased a neck from Martin Co. a few months ago. It was a second because it had the same discoloration as your picture. I stained the neck with Minwax Gel Stain (walmart).
It worked beautifully!! No sign of discolor and still left the color somewhat translucent. You might try it. The Gel stain was only $4 for a small can which will do a large guitar and then some.
I used the color...Walnut. Beautiful.
Hope this helps.
Walter

It does look like a burn or perhaps the way end grain changes color when you cut it with a real sharp chisel. You are actually looking right down into the grain. Do you know what I mean? Kinda weird. Keep us posted.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

This is the exact scenario that Mark describes. I've actually considered leaving it as a "feature" as it is part of the natural wood. I haven't really considered staining the neck as I have never done that and didn't think of it, but it's certainly an option.
I have been considering trying to bleach it out, just to lighten it some. Any one have experience with bleaching?
Thanks

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Jim,
The Minwax Gel Stain comes in a variety of colors...from very light to Brazilian Rosewood. It's very easy to use. You put some on a terry cloth and wipe it on and then use another clean terry cloth to wipe off the excess.
You have complete control over the intensity of the color you desire...it's easy to use.
I use the Minwax Urethane can spray to finally seal everything with several lifgt coats.
You can't go wrong.
Walter
PS: After I got the color intensity I wanted I let it dry for 2 days, then I used ooo steel wool to smooth it out and remove any excess stain. Then I spray the urethane.
Good Luck!!
WalterWalterK38527.6030439815

I use the same stain Walter uses, except I use the Golden Oak color. I do it the same way, wipe it on then using a clean rag, wipe it off. Then I seal it with shelac after letting it dry a couple of days and cleaning it up with steel wool.

I finish mine with McFadden's satin lacquer (3 coats) and a quick polish on the buffer.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Right On Dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Walter

Wanted to give an update for anyone who may need to deal with this in the future.
I masked off the koa binding and bleached the neck. This lightend up the neck quite a lot and removed the discoloration. I used a 2 part bleach as this type removes the natural color of the wood. The amount it removes seems to be related to the wood species.
Then I took everyones advice and stained the neck using the gel stains. I used mahongany stain and wiped as much of it off as I could, even went to a naptha soaked rag.
It came out very good although just a touch darker than I would normally like (remenber I don't normally stain my necks). Basically it looks like an aged neck.
Anyway thanks for tips and maybe this will help someone elese.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com