Official Luthiers Forum!

For #2, I just started a thin line tele-ish build. Sure going alot quicker than the acoustic build. I'm not there yet, but I'm thinking alot about finish. I just watched a cool video of a guy doing a sunburst with hand rubbed analine dyes. I'd like to do this on this new project, but a question first. I could french polish, which is how I did #1, But I kinda liked the Tru-oil process better. Anybody ever use it over analine dyes? I'm thinking water based? I'd live to spray, but I build in my condo, so no room for a spray booth.

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Rob

I feel that using the expression "dark side" is unecessary. I wish OLF ran separate forums for electrics, violins, ukes, etc. Not sure why luthiery (here) has come to mean any guitar that is not a hardbody electric, or a dred (thats another apparent dark horse). Its all a beautiful business.

Yes, you can have TOO many forums. Perhaps Lance could put it to a vote or poll.

And as for your respectable question, I am sorry to say I have no answer, but I would like to see it!

Mike

By dark side, I only mean one of those electric guitars with wires and such. No intention to offend anyone, but most everyone here seems pretty focused on the acoustic side of things, so I thought they might get a laugh out of it. But I would like to see a separate page for the fine art of building electric guitars. I've seen some beautiful ones on here so I know I'm not the only one. Now that I've cast my vote, anybody use tru-oil over dyes?

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Rob

Some of us have been trying to get an electric section here for quite some time but to no avail.

If you're serious about getting good info as well as participating on a great electric forum, go here
http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

This is what happens when one neglects to insert smileys at appropriate points.

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Dan
http://www.acme-archtops.com

R Dub,

I use analine dyes with each of my electrics...I spray finish over it, so I do not have any direct advice on rubbing Tru Oil or french polish: But - what you would have to be careful of is the mixing of the carriers: meaning, whether you use alcohol or water to disperse the dyes will need to influence how you rub your finish based on its carrier/solvent. You may end up rubbing a finish with carrier that lifts and 'redistributes less evenly than desired' the original dye coats...

Hope this helps...

And concerning the previous comments: I suppose at some point when Stradavarious was making his first guitar, he was visiting the 'dark side': Luthiers are stringed instrument makers - including well, all stringed instruments that are plucked or strummed or bowed . There is a great deal to be learned across all lines - the most basic of which is artistic inspiration. Community encourages this. If seperate forums promoted disunity, I'd be against them...if they were merely another facet of the primary forum - like Michigan Guild of Luthiers - well that would be OK by me...for whatever that is worth..

Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Hey R Dub,

I finished this guitar following the instructions from the video that you mentioned.



I sprayed lacquer though. The problem with rubbing on a finish like tru-oil is like they said above...the colors are going to want to float around. You should definitely do some test pieces before you go at your project. The guy in that video sealed his mandolin with a coat of shellac...maybe you could put on a thin coat of shellac and then oil over that?

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Jeremy Vonk

I've used analine dyes to hand-stain a sunburst, and then used Tru-Oil, but did use some brushed coats of shellac in between. I think the results came out pretty well...

Yeah, I suppose I should have put a smiley on that heading, huh? I thought some might find it amusing, but I'll refrain from attempts at similat humor in the future.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm aware of the finish lifting the dye based on the solvents used. Water based dyes work well with french polish over them, I'm pretty sure alcohol based dyes would be a problem. I hadn't considered putting a wash coat of shellac down then Tru-oil over that. Once I get some scrap of the top wood I'll do an experiment with that. The UPS guy should be hear on Monday

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Rob