Paint vs Dye: Addressing Recessed Trem Route

[fdesalvo]

I've just ordered a showcase body and am having W route the bridge for a recessed OFR, which will leave nekkid wood exposed, and baby can't have that.  What are some best practices for blacking out these routes?  I feel dye would be easiest, but my fear is that it will somehow leech between the clear and color coats, creating an ugly blemish.  What say ye?

TIA and as always,  :rock-on:!

 

[dmraco]

What type of wood and what color of the guitar?

I have used dye mixed with alcohol, not water before.  Just do not completely soak the rag and you will be fine.

Honestly...I have seen others use a black sharpie with good success.

 

[fdesalvo]

I was hoping you'd chime in.

It's an alder black/red/yellow burst (gloss).

 

[dmraco]

You have lots of options.  You could do it yellow to match the color of the inter burst, or black.

On the one guitar I have with a recessed Floyd, I was SUPER fanatic about it.  I dyes the "walls" of the route the same color as the guitar.  I then took a small piece of rubber, cut to size and placed in the cavity to adsorb and metal that may contact the body if my whammy efforts were too aggressive.looks good and works fine.  I can post a photo if you are interested. 

The Floyd cover most of the area, so what ever you do should be fine.  Black is always safe.

 

[fdesalvo]

Thanks for the great detail, my man.  I'd LOVE to see what you've done.

 

[dmraco]

Sorry for the dust.  You can see the sides match the guitar and the bottom has the foam/rubber.  The floyd takes up most of the cavity.

 

[fdesalvo]

TY!

 

[stratamania]

I quite like the way Hendrix,  forum member approaches this.

From memory, he was using Winsor and Newton Galeria Acrylic and then sealing I think with an Acrylic varnish.

http://www.winsornewton.com/na/shop/acrylic-colour/galeria-acrylic-colour

I also like the idea of a foam at the bottom of the recess.

 

[Cagey]

I've always done black dye mixed with alcohol applied with a small artist's paintbrush. Works well, and then if later you feel like you wanna put some sort of sealing finish over that, there's no problem since anything will stick to it.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Ever consider a ceramic tile mosaic wall in the trem cavity?
Maybe even shattered mirror ala disco ball?

Why not push the envelope?

As Spike always says, "I'm not saying nothing, I'm just sayin..."

 

[fdesalvo]

I have thought of tiling it.  I just can't be bothered with researching the most toneful grout. 

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I have thought of tiling it.  I just can't be bothered with researching the most toneful grout.

I can save you that trouble.

You're looking for grout with Alnico II sand for that vintage mojo corksniffery ccasion14:.

 

[fdesalvo]

I have thought of tiling it.  I just can't be bothered with researching the most toneful grout.

I can save you that trouble.

You're looking for grout with Alnico II sand for that vintage mojo corksniffery ccasion14:.

:doh: :laughing7: