I've had my best results with trans tints. I have however only used them with nitro unless doing a burst direct to the wood. Trans tint in alcohol type. Wood essence is a good Canuck supplier and it comes in all flavours if you ever feel bold and daring.

I see you're in the hood Conor. Do you know about our little dog and pony show? It's a lot of fun.

Yeah, I've bought most of my current finishing supplies from wood essence. They seem pretty good.

I haven't heard of the islands luthiers guild, and when I tried to find it online the website wouldn't load. Is the show on the poster by Parksville? It was hard to read the font, does that say Errington?

What I use for solid colors. https://www.mixol.com/t-tinting/22.html

Adding dye for a solid color will likely just compromise film strength unnecessarily.

I think that guild is mostly defunct. I was never really involved. The show is a good one and yes, in the little hamlet of Errington. There's a great bunch of regulars that get tables at this show. From hobbyists and up, and up. At $20 it's pretty good value and it's a very good place to market yourself, if you're looking to. Generally a great show the night of and Marc Atkinson is no exception. It's a fun day. Let me know if you're interested.

What I use for solid colors. https://www.mixol.com/t-tinting/22.html

Adding dye for a solid color will likely just compromise film strength unnecessarily.

Thanks for the tip on dye Brian.

The mixol pigments are what I have been using as well. I mixed about 30 drops into 8oz (237 ml). of lacquer, too much too little?

The ratios from the website I ordered from say 20ml of pigment will tint 375ml of lacquer to 8% tinting strength (maximum rec. strength is 10%). I'm not sure what tinting strength means, does this mean I should not exceed 8-10% of lacquer with pigment? I'm also not sure what the best way of measuring the 63% of 20ml I need when the pigment comes out in single drops from my tiny bottle.

One thing you might consider is just buy one spray can of black lacquer from StewMac. Cheap, easy and it works.

ps - in his book on guitar finishing, Erlewine has a three page section on staining and finishing the black headplates on Gibson style guitars.

Thanks Brian! Are these compatible with nitro?

The mixol pigments are what I have been using as well. I mixed about 30 drops into 8oz (237 ml). of lacquer, too much too little?

The ratios from the website I ordered from say 20ml of pigment will tint 375ml of lacquer to 8% tinting strength (maximum rec. strength is 10%). I'm not sure what tinting strength means, does this mean I should not exceed 8-10% of lacquer with pigment? I'm also not sure what the best way of measuring the 63% of 20ml I need when the pigment comes out in single drops from my tiny bottle.