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You know actually when I think about it. In California it very well may be a terrible idea to do this sort of thing outside. I have not been in CA in a couple years but I used to go every year for many years and as anyone knows who lives there the place turns very dry and crispy in the summer and you get the feeling that it's about to explode and catch on fire which sadly it does every year. I don't have such problems in Virginia.

a scientist when ever I hear about one of these schemes I'm almost always skeptical at first but then immediately need to test them to prove for myself if it's true or not. I know the gun powder thing is not about tone but baking most certainly is and my first response is Yeaaah Right! But of course I plan on trying it for myself

I may try the gun powder. I have been try too figure out how to char a piece of spruce without too much structural damage since I made a charred garden wall for a garden show garden my wife made a couple of years back. I find the results stunning. For the fence we used a roofing torch down torch. I lightly dusted off the loose char and sprayed with lacquer. This is an old way to protect wood form insects.

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http://www.Harvestmoonguitars.com

That looks great!

I think scorched finishes can be spectacular in woodworking. I was also blown away by the lines and details in Michi's guitar -- I was not familiar with his work, so seeing this was a treat.

With that said, the combination of the rustic look of the scorched top and the delicate and polished look of the rest of the guitar did not go well together, IMHO.

This video did give me some ideas, though. There's a really interesting finishing technique that I've never seen used on guitars, but I think it might be very interesting . . . .

That's very nice Parchem.

Looks cool John! I used a candle with a wick that produced black smoke and used the soot to make a char. This allowed it to be controlled without burning the wood. May not be the greatest solution but it worked really well for me.

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久保
美智え

I am constantly amazed at Michi's work and that guitar is no exception. Every guitar of his I've seen has been incredibly unique, striking, and just flawless in design and execution. IMO he is easily at the top of the heap when it comes to inspirational builders today.

Totally agree James. Michigan gave a talk at the northwoods that the vid is from about his design process and it was totally unique and inspirational. This guitar is part of his overall body of work that flows from inspiration to execution. It is not meant to be a production technique, but an evolution of an idea. This is why michi, IMHO, is one of the few true original artists currently making instruments today.
(Not meant to exclude other builders as inferior, just to praise one in particular)

"Michi is using a Japanese traditional method which is obviously a cultural spin on what we might call antiquing a finish. Very interesting, very cool, and VERY worthy of respect -

Michi never said he was using a traditional Japanese technique, in fact he said the traditional method wouldn't work on a guitar top, so he decided to use gunpowder instead.

Black paint covers up errors on a top better than epoxy. Maybe Hesh could make a tutorial.

I prefer to char my tops like this...

You want to use pyrodex if you use this technique. Black powder leaves too much sulphuric acid in the wood. I suppose you could use black powder if you sprayed water and baking soda on it when you were done but it works just as well with pyrodex. Pyrodex is slightly less explosive when unconfined. This method is great if you bugger your top or need to hide a defect. Strongly consider using safe practices. I have worked with gunpowder for 45 years in theater work. First rule don't take any more gunpowder in the theatre than needed. And never use anymore than you are willing to have go off in your face. So for this type of work I would find a fire safe place like a outdoor concrete slab. Pour as much gunpowder as I was planning to use in a plastic cup and bring that to the flashing area. Don't bring the whole can, nothing good can come of having that much gunpowder in and area you plan to set off. Most of the flash is going upward so don't be above it when you set it off. I didn't cover my top as Misi does. You don't need to flash the whole thing at once. You can flash an area decide it's not enough and flash again. The reason you only have a small amount in a plastic cup is what if you still had an ember that you couldn't see and you began pouring out pyro from the can to add a little more and the full can goes off in your hand you may lose that hand. Again never have anymore gunpowder in hand than you are willing to have go off in your face.

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Michael F Smith
Goat Rock Ukulele
http://goatrockukulele.com

john, that siding looks amazing! well done.

for me michi is the most exciting luthier out there that i'm aware of.

a few years ago i came across this article and it just blew my mind. i haven't had the chance to try anything yet but it is constantly on my mind
http://www.dwell.com/profiles/article/terunobu-fujimori

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http://www.wideskyguitars.com
https://www.instagram.com/wide_sky_guitars/

I never worked with pyrodex but I read that it does not burn fast unconfined at all, much like smokeless powder. People have tried using them in low confinement situations such as rocketry ejection charge, and the powder was blown all over the place before any gases could be produced to do any actual work. Blackpowder has a fairly consistent pressure curve and can burn fairly fast unconfined but things like smokless powder or possibly pyrodex requires extreme confinement such as the barrel of a gun to work properly.

I mentioned California because California has some of the strictest laws in the US regarding fireworks. Basically all fireworks except "safe and sane" are illegal and the penalties can be rather severe. Setting off gunpowder there in an unapproved manner (not in a gun) may be illegal there. I realize there are a few states where fireworks are totally illegal but California is known for their strict gun and firework laws.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Thanks Hesh

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I'd like to try that. Do you have any measurements on initial "Q" vs post pyrolysis "Q"? What happens to the A0 mode?

I presume those are red spruce. Would it work on Sitka?

Sorry, I burn by feel...
Don't use Sitka, and if you look again, you will see I do backs too. Maple adapts well to the process...

@Haans
All I can say is it must have been a pretty cold winter.

It is a cool picture but a bit sad in a way. I can only imagine how many hours of work is going up in flames.

Bob

As my guitar gently weeps...

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Well, this is how I roll. I find it down right disrespectful when one OLFer calls another out on this forum. Please use PMs for that if u feel the need. The tension on this forum is getting too high. I saw nothing wrong with the OP.

Well, you know Bob, I got sick of looking at them in the shop. So, to me, it was better out of sight, out of mind...
AND the marshmellows were delicious!

Please, let's calm down folks...

Believe me, I am calm. I accidentally read this thread without logging in first which is how I accidentally saw the thrashing given to Tai. When I log in, I don't see that stuff.

there are a few instruments I wasn't entirely proud of... like #3 is in about 4 pieces because it just looked ugly, the ukes are left alone waiting for the bandsaw because it wants to have problems (like back braces seems to want to come loose by itself). I might have a real bonfire soon if my immigration visa to the US gets approved, can only take so much with me.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com