Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello everyone. It's been a long time since I've visited here. Back on board with a new project for a fretless 5 string bass.

The question: Has anyone here done a finish like this? At first I had the impression that this was done with a reverse-kind of grain contrast staining, filling pores with z-poxy or something like it and sanding just enough that the stain only dyes the broader grain sections. Looking at the close ups however, it seems that the pores are dyed and that a small area is sanded bare just outside of the pores. How would you achieve a finish like this?

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http://www.tinyhouseandland.com

If I were trying to do that I'd probably spray a couple of sealer coats first, then I'd spray a toner or dye stain over the top and sand back. You'll want a wood with a nice contrast between hard and soft grain, it looks like it might be ash. I've done a finish several times that involves laying down a base color, sealing it well and rubbing a contrasting glaze over it to get down into the pores, but this doesn't look like that. I'd experiment with different abrasives, maybe try scotch-brite to sand back the color off what's likely the harder grain. Somewhere to start at least!

I agree it looks like Ash, and the species of lumber is likely important to get the look. Woods like Oak and Ash have wide and open late grains which will be critical (IMO) to achieve the look. To me it looks like a rub through finish of some sort and I agree most likely done with a glaze.My first attempt would be sand out as usual, sanding sealer, sand at 320, apply black glaze as a heavy coat and allow to almost dry completely, rag it off with a clean cotton cloth wrapped around a wood block, spray finish coats. If the glaze has dried too much a small bit of naptha on the rag will help. Also notice there is no pore fill here so the surface will not be perfectly smooth but if you finish in a satin like the one you posted it wont be that noticable.

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Brian

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

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks guys. I assumed it was something like ash which is what I will be using. Those ideas sound like they might do the trick. I'll be sure to test on scrap.

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http://www.tinyhouseandland.com

That looks like a burn finish. I watched an uncle do finish like that in his cabinet shop (many years ago), with a small propane torch. Then a light sanding, and clear. I suppose it could also be a black water base dye, and sanded back out. Pretty though.

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Whatever you do DON'T confuse me as an EXPERT, or MASTER, just a self learned trial and error guy. I had to build a dozen guitar before I found out what a "Luthier" even was (????)