Goncalo Alves as a Lam Top

[dmraco]

Anyone ever use Goncalo Alves for a lam top?  what would be the best finish options??  Tru-oil??  I was thinking of doing on a mahogany body.  I want a real natural feel and look, no dyes, stain or paint.

thoughts???

 

[m4rk0]

I like the ones that are currently in the showcase!

I think it takes Tung Oil really well - but if I remember well, it turns the goncalo red! I think that happened to a goncalo neck that CB Finished with Tung Oil.

Gloss is nice too:

 

[dmraco]

i want a less glossy finish.  I would think the oils in Goncalo Alves prevent a hard finish like poly or nitro.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Less glossy can always be accomplished by knocking back a gloss finish with fine steel wool, or synthetic pads, or rottenstone on a felt pad.

If you wanted a film finish like nitro or poly you could seal the wood first with bullseye seal coat.

GA doesn't really need a finish though.  I have a GA fretboard on a warmoth neck and it is so dense and smooth it positively refuses to get grungy. 

Unfortunately that mahogany back is going to need a protective finish.  In which case an oil based varnish (like Tru-oil) is not a bad idea.

Also, do be aware that GA tends to darken a bit when exposed to UV/sunlight.

 

[dmraco]

if it were up to me I would leave it completely unfinished and age.  But to Keiser's point, I have to put something on the Mahogany.  Tru-oil, linseed oil?  Some sort of protection. 

I am not worried about filling the grain.  I want this to look worn...not relic, but just a natural wood state.