Tfarny has a great point about the wipe on finished. It is ash, so it will take quite some time to seal the wood as well. I am finishing up an ash bass body with urethane and a spray gun. It took 4 coats of sealer, after grain filling. I might have been a little excessive about being "sure" but it took in a lot of sealer. The point I would emphasize more is to get spray on finish. This way you can control the thickness of the layers of finish much better. Then you should use lots of thin coats. It will look like drizzle has hit the body, and then a moment or two later the whole thing looks like one continuous sheen, and stop. Since it has quite a few uneven surfaces wait until it is dry and then do the other side. Then wait at least a day for it to properly set up, more might be better, before doing the next layer. Spray cans commonly require more time than spray rigs because of the amount of solvent/propellant used in the cans to keep the finish dissolved/spray worthy. This means you have to wait longer for the solvents to leave. Use you nose, it will tell you real quick when the finish is solvent free. The more thin coats, the better off the job will end up, so patience will be very useful here.
It is a beautiful piece you have there. Keep us updated.
Patrick
