Dyeing basswood

[Michaelga]

I purchased a blemished 5-string basswood bass body from Warmoth for $90. I love transparent finishes and I'm trying to get more experience dyeing a burst finish on a body. I've never worked with basswood before. I've read it can be splotchy. Does anyone have experience dyeing basswood? Are their any tips you can recommend?

Michael

 

[Hagwood]

I purchased a blemished 5-string basswood bass body from Warmoth for $90. I love transparent finishes and I'm trying to get more experience dyeing a burst finish on a body. I've never worked with basswood before. I've read it can be splotchy. Does anyone have experience dyeing basswood? Are their any tips you can recommend?

Michael

I'm not sure about Basswood, but I practiced with the keda dyes on lots of different scrap wood that I just had laying around, including pine and had no problems with any of them. From my experience if you put any grain filler or sealer on first it will look blotchy. If you have a Rockler or even Hobby Lobby close by they carry small pieces of basswood to practice on.

Also try different grits to sand to first, too fine and it does not absorb well. I found 320/400 to be the sweet spot for me.

https://www.hobbylobby.com/crafts-h...3655?queryId=dd14b8bf1d1aa4bc310d1eb2f66be446

 

[Spud]

I have keda dyed dang near every type of common guitar woods except basswood. Heck I even did my cedar deck after I burned it. It is pretty forgiving and straight forward really. You can sand it back iffin' you don't like it. I say go for it! I like to wipe the wood down with rubbing alcohol after sanding to remove any oils etc from the wood before I start.

 

[Michaelga]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will swing by Hobby Lobby tonight and pick up some basswood to practice on.