Train wreck F-20

[RBSinTo]

Looks like the train-wreck is almost cleared up and ready to be put back on the tracks.
Most interesting thread in this forum by a country mile.
RBSino

 

[GuildyAsHell]

First of several coats of mahogany stain.

 

[chazmo]

Amazing! Looking great, and I dig the tortoise shell binding, GaH!

 

[jricc]

New member here, but have been lurking and following this thread. I think it's really cool that you saved this cool, old Hoboken Guild. All the best with it!

 

[GuildyAsHell]

After 4 applications of a mahogany stain, it wasn’t as dark as I wanted, so Steve tried something he has never used on a guitar before, a dark walnut. This type of stain required quite a long curing time since Vermont has had very damp weather lately. Undried sections were wiped off, and you can see the end result is somewhat of a faux worn finish that was not planned or anticipated. Given the multiple age and abuse related scars on the neck, I’ve opted to run with this finish. I actually like it. Hopefully I like it in person too.

 

[davismanLV]

I really love the top photo!! The wood grain shows through and it's a lovely color. If you wanted it darker, you could've just used a tinted lacquer over top and it would have looked great. But if you're happy with the dark..... then there you go!

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

Love the idea of faux worn on this guitar! Can't wait to see it with the neck on!!

 

[grmps]

That is phenomenal.
I like that vintage look too.

 

[adorshki]

@GuildyAsHell, just wanna say thank you for all the updates and pics.

It occurred to me when reading the latest updates that you ought to qualify for some kind of "New Member Rookie of the Year" title, it's that good. What an entrance!

As Davisman mentioned, that top photo was pretty spectacular, it's reminiscent of the light stain on D15's from the late '80's, but the darker stain is more period correct, like the original finish. I suspect after it's done the grain'll show up better in the right light for pics.

PLEASE keep 'em coming.

 

[SFIV1967]

I suspect after it's done the grain'll show up better in the right light for pics.

I guess the last two pictures were only after applying the dark stain, so there should be wet sanding coming and clear topcoats afterwards, so the result after wetsanding and buffing will look more spectacular I guess.

Ralf

 

[adorshki]

I guess the last two pictures were only after applying the dark stain, so there should be wet sanding coming and clear topcoats afterwards, so the result after wetsanding and buffing will look more spectacular I guess.

Ralf

That's what I thought too.

 

[Westerly Wood]

it's gonna be awesome.

 

[davismanLV]

Generally, after stain, you don't sand or do anything. Just apply the finish, otherwise the dark and color you love so will just go away. Photos 2 and 3 show heavy, opaque stain sitting on top of the wood. If you sand, you'll lose that. The first photo is stained wood, which is translucent or transparent and shows the wood grain so lovely. They're both legit finishes, it just depends on what you want.

 

[SFIV1967]

Generally, after stain, you don't sand or do anything. Just apply the finish, otherwise the dark and color you love so will just go away.

Thanks for the correction! Makes perfect sense! You can't really wet sand stain on wood... So you would just apply the pore filler/stain and rub it in the pores until it is dry and do some simple polishing to achive a perfect surface before you apply the lacquer coats I'd think, or? And sanding between the lacquer coats till perfect.

Ralf

 

[adorshki]

Thanks for the correction! Makes perfect sense! You can't really wet sand stain on wood... So you would just apply the pore filler/stain and rub it in the pores until it is dry and do some simple polishing to achive a perfect surface before you apply the lacquer coats I'd think, or? And sanding between the lacquer coats till perfect.

Ralf

That whole process is still gonna bring out the grain visibility, much like simply putting alcohol on wood just to get an idea of how the grain will look when finished. Thought that's what you meant the first time, but "the short version".

 

[GuildyAsHell]

First coat of lacquer goes on tomorrow.

 

[chazmo]

What's the piece on the left, GaS? Is that a template?

Also, is it an optical illusion or is the soundhole bigger than the original?

Looks fabulous, by the way!

 

[GuildyAsHell]

What's the piece on the left, GaS? Is that a template?

Also, is it an optical illusion or is the soundhole bigger than the original?

Looks fabulous, by the way!

A Sitka top for color comparison. And yes I’m guessing the soundhole is bigger because the top would have gone on a 90’s D25 or D4. I don’t really have any problem with that. Maybe it’ll be louder?

EDIT: Now that I’ve compared the pictures I’m not sure about the soundhole size.

 

[SFIV1967]

I think the sound hole diameter is identical to the original top but the larger outer ring with the added smaller ring of the rosette makes it look bigger.



Ralf

 

[Westerly Wood]

I think the sound hole diameter is identical to the original top but the larger outer ring with the added smaller ring of the rosette makes it look bigger.



Ralf

it does look larger, and i really dig it!
i had a D35 that had an enlarged soundhole, not on purpose, as it was breaking away and i just stripped it out so i wouldnt look so damaged. it did not affect the structure or sound. while i could not tell a huge tonal difference, there was something different to the ear about the sound coming out of the larger hole. hard to put into words...but it was real.