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.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

The king of dying wood for me is Great Ape, on this forum. He did dyework on my Ibanez RRG7620 in my avatar.

Post in thread 'NGBD,New Guitar Body Day: Great Ape Content!(Non-Warmoth body) Stunning Artwork!'

Jul 26, 2018

It's actually quite balance compared to the RG body.
The Velocity or the Tele would be the closest Warmoth equivalent.

I wonder if the W would make a 7 string Velocity body to go with their Super 7 neck.

• TonyFlyingSquirrel

Thread 'New Velocity Project'

Dec 1, 2019

Beginning a new Velocity thingy...lightweight alder, two HMBKR, + trem...Ravens optional.

• Great Ape
• Replies: 57
• Forum: Builds in Progress

 

[Michaelga]

I have a slab of basswood I purchased from Hobby Lobby. I applied some different Angelus leather dyes on it and it looks good! I'm planning to try a caribbean burst on the Warmoth bass body I purchased. I'm visiting family next week, so I'll work on it in June.

 

[Michaelga]

Here is the basswood 5-string bass im going to attempt to dye in Caribbean burst. I’m going to try sanding out the blemish in the front as much as I can.

 

[NedRyerson]

Before you do that, is it an actual physical characteristic in the wood? The photo makes it looks like a physical dent with some shadowing in the ridges above & below the dark spot. I ask because if it's an actual physical aspect and you don't like it, trying to sand it out voids any warranty with WM. Obviously not a big thing if you accept its presence.

Me personally, if it's both a tactile & visual thing, I'd try to accentuate it rather than obscure it. But that's me, not you.

 

[Spud]

Here is the basswood 5-string bass im going to attempt to dye in Caribbean burst. I’m going to try sanding out the blemish in the front as much as I can.

I might fill it with something metallic that accents your finish plan.

 

[ragamuffin]

You can add me to the "that might not sand out" club...

If that spot bothers you I would contact customer service about it before you get sanding

 

[Spud]

Here is the basswood 5-string bass im going to attempt to dye in Caribbean burst. I’m going to try sanding out the blemish in the front as much as I can.

Maybe it’s the eye of the tiger!!!

 

[Michaelga]

It doesn’t really matter to me. I bought it knowing it’s blemished for $90. I will try a little sanding to see what happens. I’m totally fine with it being there if sanding doesn’t remove it.

 

[stratamania]

I would suggest it probably will not sand out. If that had been possible, would it have been sold for $90?

There is a good chance if you sand it further you will reveal more of the blemish that is currently below the surface. Consider a solid colour to finish.

 

[Hagwood]

I would say just use this body for a solid color, and try your burst on some nice flame or quilted maple later. That way you can just grain fill, etc before priming and painting.

 

[teleme01]

Beauty mark, accentuate

 

[Michaelga]

How would you accentuate? I have no interest in a solid color. I think it would look better with a Caribbean burst than any solid color that I can think of.

 

[teleme01]

I guess a better word would be to embrace instead of accent,

 

[Hagwood]

I'm not sure how dark you're doing the edges on the Caribbean Burst, but maybe a darker edge (even black) fading into your lighter color could help blend it in.

 

[teleme01]

My 1st kit guitar was a $cheap kit. The body was made of basswood, I freehand painted the back, the side is the only part dyed with keda, the top had a laminate, soooo, only the side pic is of any relevance. I recall the wood being very absorbant.

 

[Michaelga]

I've got 3 shades of blue, turquoise, blue and blue jean (looks close to Navy blue). I'm planning to start with the turquoise and use the blue on the edges. I'm planning to start on it this week. I've practised on a piece of basswood I bought. I found that using a cotton rag soaked with alcohol can work to fade the colors.

Michael