High Build Primer to Grain Fill Mahogany?

[AGWAN]

When I do my iceman I am settled on either a dark red stain on mahogany, Or some solid colors.

If I paint it solid colors I'd like to save as much money and time as possible while still getting a decent finish.

would High Build Primer with plenty of sanding smooth the grain enough?

Or do I just bite the bullet and get grain filler?

 

[Cagey]

Generally speaking, filler is faster, less expensive and less work. That's why they invented it. But, it depends on the wood. Some woods have a coarser grain than others, so the benefit is immediate. Mahogany, for instance, would take forever to level out with a sander/sealer, while Alder wises up almost immediately. So, you use a grain filler on Mahogany to remove a dozen steps.

 

[AGWAN]

So mahogany body and neck with black ebony board.

black grain filler.

does anybody have a really bright red stain? The Dark Red Mahogany from ReRanch looks brown in photo's... I kinda want a classic Cherry Red SG feel.

I also figure if I don't fill at all, Red stain and a matte sealer would look gorgeous and cost about 3 Dr Peppers.

 

[AGWAN]

... and the reranch cherry stain looked too pale...

 

[Cagey]

Most paint stores have computerized color matchers these days, and the things are amazing. You take a finished something you like the color of, and the raw thing you want to finish, and they scan each one. The computer figures out the delta, and comes up with a recipe for a paint or stain that will make the raw part look like the finished part. They mix that up for you, and you're good to go. In the case of stains, it doesn't even have to be the same wood.

 

[leo12.]

This is gonna be the best $30 you spend on any finish.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Books,_DVD/Guitar_Finishing_Step-By-Step.html
There is recipes for SG reds & lots more.
Grain filling is in your future no getting past that step. If you go solid you could grain fill with super glue or 2 pk marine epoxy (pricey) stains won't get passed those to penetrate the wood to do its thing .Good LUck

 

[AGWAN]

Thanks! bookmarked that page for when I order!