First couple coats of Tru-Oil on my Spalted Guitar... what do you think?

[baimun]

I didn't realize when I ordered it that I got tinted Tru-Oil instead of clear, but I really like the look.

http://baimun.home.comcast.net/~baimun/spaltprogress8.jpg

http://baimun.home.comcast.net/~baimun/spaltprogress9.jpg

I only have a couple coats on so far. The way I do it is to build up 5 or 6 coats, then sand it down, do 5 or 6 more... sand. By the end, I'll probably end up applying 25 or 30 coats of oil, but only 10 or 12 will end up on the top... and it should be close to glass, but more breathable.

[fender753]

Looks great!

[RonBGR]

That guitar is gorgeous!

Very nice!

Ron

[Jon Silberman]

Smashin'! Post more pics as you proceed, please!

[empty71]

Sweet looking guitar :) Definitely more progress pics please :)

[TooManyHobbies]

Lemme save you a ton of time, and recommend micromesh. The sampler pack from stewmac should be enough to do the guitar.

[baimun]

Thanks.... it's been a long time coming. I bought the body blank over two years ago, but after careful measuring, I realized that a 22 fret neck wasn't going to put the bridge in the right place and the area where the neck attaches was so small that the neck would be off-center.

http://baimun.home.comcast.net/~baimun/spalt5.jpg

Six months ago, I had Luthier Ron Luczak cut the alder off the back of the guitar and re-mount the top on a larger piece of mahogany.

http://baimun.home.comcast.net/~baimun/spaltprogress1.jpg

Now with the combination of Ernie Ball 24 fret neck, Duncan Mini Humbuckers and Mighty Mite through body bridge, the guitar will combine some of my favorite style elements and functional features from the Ernie Ball Axis and a Jackson Surfcaster.

http://www.tonyandnikki.co.uk/media/images/surfcaster.jpg

http://baimun.home.comcast.net/~baimun/spaltprogress5.jpg

[marsos52]

wow that looks awesome

how did you get the neck

thanks
marc

[imonabuss]

Really really nice. I'll bet you can't wait to get it finished!

[JBG]

very nice!

[Quarter]

Thats going to finish out sweet, I'm a big fan of Tru Oil and use it on the steels I build.

Something that may help is I like to do my wet sanding with mineral spirits. I have a little spray bottle and just lightly spritz it and use some paper towels to wipe things down as I sand and the slurry builds.

Here is a walnut / birdseye 8 string I did that way.

.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/TD8/td8-lastcoat4.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/TD8/td8-22.jpg

[george4908]

>>By the end, I'll probably end up applying 25 or 30 coats of oil, but only 10 or 12 will end up on the top

If you like the way it looks now -- and it looks pretty good to me -- you might want to get some non-tinted oil for the subsequent coats, otherwise each coat will darken it more. I like a little vintage tint on maple necks, but on one guitar I used a few too many coats and it came out more orange than I'd have liked. Moral: quit when you're ahead.

[paintguy]

Looks great!:AOK

Look forward to seeing it after a few more sessions.

Awesome piece of wood.

[Bad Juju]

Very cool looking! I think the tint really makes it stand out. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Reminds me of a US Masters Sportster, but yours with 5 way I think will be sweet. Great job.

[jtg116]

I've been looking for a couple of years for the right color for my spalted projects and you've shown it! I use Tru oil, and never heard they have tinted. I think it'll be great for the flamed mahogany and koa tops I'm going to finish too. Thanks!

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/userpics/10127/normal_Spalted_Tele_2.jpg

[Quarter]

I didn't realize when I ordered it that I got tinted Tru-Oil instead of clear, but I really like the look.

I use Tru oil, and never heard they have tinted.I missed the tinted part in the OP and I too have not seen it sold in a tinted color.
Stock Tru Oil naturally has an amber / maple syrup tint to it, I wonder if this is what the OP might be referring to.
A quick check on the Birchwood Casey site only lists regular Tru Oil.
http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/wood_index.asp?categoryID=5&subcat=11

[baimun]

I bought mine through a gun stock refinishing place, so it may be darker than normal. I'm out of town right now, but when I get home, I'll post the Tru-Oil part number and see if it's the normal stuff.

The liquid looks reddish, not maple syrup-ey when it pours out.

[OldSchool]

I guess if you dig very intresting beautifully figured wood its allright............ Did you consider making it a Gold Top? http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon10.gif Seriously though.......thats Top Shelf bro! :dude