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I'm planning to start on a kit guitar. The body and neck will be mahogany. I'd like to try and keep the finish simple and as close to bare wood as possible. I'd like to get some recommendations on what to use.

I like the look of what this guy does: http://www.zacharyguitars.com/050410pics.htm If anyone can suggest what was used for the finish here, that would be very helpful.

i am quite picky and particular in my tastes and i don't often approve of many things...but this guitar is pretty awesome. thanks for the link
the most minimal finishes would be a simple oil rub, or maybe a wax. shellac and nitrocellulose laquer would be next. the guitar featured almost looks as if it was simply sanded, then oiled. it probably wouldn't stand up well to heavy stage use or touring, but....how many of us actually do that anyway?

You can get that effect using shellac or oil varnish, which can be minimalist type finishes.

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A man hears what he wants to hear, and disreguards the rest. Paul Simon

You can do that type of finish using a high quality tung oil. It is pretty much the simplest finish to do. You wipe it on, wait 10 minutes, then wipe the excess off, wait 8 hours, wipe on another coat, wait 10 mins, wipe it off. You don't have to worry about dust being an issue either. By the look of the finish on that guitar, you could probably do that in 3-4 coats. I sell Sutherland Welles tung oil products if you are interested, it is the BEST.

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Guitar Maker and Purveyor of the World's Finest Tonewoods
http://www.aaronhixguitars.com/
http://stores.ebay.com/A-Hix-Tonewood-a ... r-Supplies

Looks like a satin wipe on poly without any pore fill.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks for the replies. I'm just getting started with limited resources. I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible. I feel that it is possible to achieve a good results without spray booths. I don't mind sandpaper, I have good supply of that and elbow grease.

Ideally I'd like have a finish I can wipe on and wipe off. Something that doesn't obscure or completely remove the feel of the wood, while it protects the wood.

Thanks for the reply Brian, can you point me to an example of the product you are describing?

Tru Oil is probably the simplest and most forgiving finish you can use for this purpose. Build it slowly, with very thin coats. Remember that the oil down in the wood pores needs time to dry and harden, so be patient about building up your coats. As Tru Oil builds after many coats, it starts to become glossy. In fact, it can be buffed to a high gloss. But it can also be knocked down to a beautiful soft luster with some 0000 steel wool (or other means) and a vigorous rub with a flannel rag. These are not the toughest finishes available, but the beauty of so many of these wipe on oil varnishes is that they are almost infinitely repairable. As always, the best practice is to experiment on some scraps for a while before tackling your guitar.

I would avoid wipe on poly, it gives wood a plastic look and feel, plus over time it will yellow and delaminate, and you still have to avoid dust. If you want to keep the rich feel of the wood, go for Polymerized Tung Oil, again, it is the best. Check out www.sutherlandwelles.com then if you are interested contact me and I'll set you up. If you contact them, they will send you to me anyway

_________________
Guitar Maker and Purveyor of the World's Finest Tonewoods
http://www.aaronhixguitars.com/
http://stores.ebay.com/A-Hix-Tonewood-a ... r-Supplies