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Posting another picture because it shows a disaster I have been brooding about-the top got some oil on it,probably when I carelessly set it on a bench pad where I had worked on a gun.Might even have some silicone in it. HELP!

See if you can't get that little critter to lick it off! He looks like you
probably feel right now.

Short of that, in a very small area, see if a solvent like laquer thinner or
acetone on a soft cotton cloth will remove it (or most of it). French
polishing the surface after that might pull the rest of the oil up and even
out the color. These are my thoughts only. No history involved.
Craig

Toss it Mike and start a new one. Too much work to throw away on a roll of the dice. Tops are the cheapest part of the guitar. Check the OLF vendors or Ebay and you'll find plenty for under thirty bucks.

I can't tell what rosette that is but materials for that are readily available too. I use the Martin Guitar Custom Shoppe for their purfling lines in celluloid. The pic is dark and it's hard to tell what you have there.

If that top isn't braced then the effort to get back to that point is minimal. Toss it and don't think twice. Matter of fact, enjoy tossing it on your next bonfire and watching it burn up. At least you can have a little sadistic satisfaction that Mr. Murphy didn't get you down on your first attempt.

I have a set of honduran mahogany back and sides. They were a shelf in a friends yard shed. I removed it after he died and it was just so purty.... Soaked in oil. I should have enjoyed it as it burned. Resawing and sanding all to no avail, the oil continues to surface here and there. That would probably lead to gluing and for sure finishing problems down the road. Time for a weiner roast in Arkansas too.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Well, it's the abalone rosette I posted in the lam trimmer thread. I know I can do it again and it isn't braced. I don't think I'll burn it-will hang it on the wall as a reminder.You are right-I'm working on an order from Zoot and I'll just add a top set. The edges were a bit thin too- another one of those learning curve mistakes so it is for the best."Mice and men,"-think Robert Burns ever tried to build a lute? Best regards,

Bandsaw that rosette out, soak in appropriate thinner to soften glue and reclaim it. Might not work if it's laminate shell. But if real shell I bet you could get it out and reuse it. Toast the rest????? Don't let Murph get you down.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Mike...just route out the offending spot--instant offset-soundhole! Very avant garde!

All of that darker area on the top in the photo is the contamination.It is real abalone,but I think I'll just call Andy.I need some other stuff for some walnut jewelry boxes I'm making for Mom and my sister.

More bad news. I'll have to fight the fight. I found the same residue on the neck and tailblock gluing surfaces-all radiused and about to glue on back. I'll give it a go on them before grafting/replacing:glued on with Titebond. At least I have a second one going so I won't be totally depressed. I doubt that I will be careless about this kind of error again. A prayer/mantra from you might help-this request meant figuratively.Acetone to start?

Three words. epoxy. camping guitar.

Nice stable of dreads there in the background.

Good luck

Too new at this to give you any kind of good advice Mike but now i understand why you were so quick last night in wanting to help me, i feel your pain too. You can count on my support and prayers friend. I ope it turns out all right for you.