Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Filippo,

I happen to be one who likes the garrish look of fresh sawn Padauk.
I'd love to find a way to keep it from darkening, which will be nearly impossible.
Your finish will darken the wood, and tone down the toe-curl reaction.
You should try a scrap of fresh sanded wood and apply a coat or two to that small piece to get an idea of how the guitar will change under finish.
And yes, it will continue to darken even with the finish. It will go slower, but it will happen.
Probably Larry will log in and remind us that it isn't oxidation, but photo degradation that you're concerned about. And that will happen even with the finish intact.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Filippo - I'm working on a Padauk guitar now. Side bending is put off until all the seasonal stuff is done, but I can tell you from bending the back headstock veneer - bending is tough. It does eventually give, but you have to let it get good and hot. I can't give you a number - I was bending by hand on an Ibex, and it took quite a while for the wood to give with the bender set on max.

My cut wood is a little redder than yours. I had one piece set aside for a bridge that gave me the same reaction when I cleaned it up - bland! In general, though, I like the wood - let's see how the first guitar built with it sounds before final judgement, though.

_________________
Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

All the padauk gutiars I made darkened up nicely !!! I like the look, but its not for everyone.

As for bending, its one of the toughest - definitely thin it a touch more - 80-85 thou at most.

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Filippo my friend I found this thread in the archives and though that you might find it interesting: http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=6026&p=71412&hilit=Paprika#p71412

Interestingly I found it by using the keyword "paprika"

Yes, it will certainly darken over time.

My work here is done

If you are just looking to quickly even out the color I have had success just sitting it in a window for a couple of days. A Lumber supplier recomended this for a different kind of wood and so I have tried it on occassion and it some times works great other times it doesn't do much. Hey the sun is free and you can try on some scraps and see how it works for you.

I forgot I love the look of Amber shellac over paduk it just seems rich. I did a multipiece back of paduk and flame maple under Amber shellac and loved it.

Hey Larry!
It sounds like I must have quoted you correctly...
But that doesn't mean you are no longer needed!!

Just the opposite.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com