Unique finishes for swamp ash/ash....aged

[dmraco]

I have been looking at some “rustic” style finished for swamp ash.  Something like the steel-wool/vinegar method.  Or even using burning, or pickling to give the wood a grayed aged look.

Anyone have any tips?  I figured with all the experience here someone will likely have some great input.

 

[Cagey]

Tonar told me about a finish for Swamp Ash that's pretty unique, and even gave the details on how to do it. Then, I recently saw a video on doing it. Basically, you end up with "negative" grain. You'd think I could remember what it's called, but I don't and can't find the details now. But, in the end, instead of having dark streaks of grain in a light or transparent finish as is commonly done, you end up with light streaks of grain with a dark finish. It's usually done with black and white, but I could see how you could do it with other colors, like this...

I remember now - it's called "Doghair". The shot above is done on Mahogany, but I've seen it on Swamp Ash.

Here's the thread where Tonar tells how to do it.

Here are a few other "reversed grain" Swamp Ash ideas; I doubt it's the same process - I don't know how it's done...

Turns out these techniques are collectively called "cerused", and it's commonly done with oak. I'll leave it to you to feed Google with that word. Spoiler alert: you'll end up on a lotta furniture finisher sites.

 

[rgand]

I like that doghair finish on the mahogany. It would look really good on swamp ash.

 

[AirCap]

Dang, I like that a lot. I've been thinking about something along those lines for a mahogany Jag I've been doing with a kind of Fiesta Red / orange kind of vibe. Will bookmark that thread for sure!!

 

[Cagey]

It is both interesting and uncommon. I have a nekkid Swamp Ash Soloist here I've been thinking a medium blue grain on a darker blue would look good on. Maybe even burst it to a midnight blue, just to subtle it up a bit.

 

[dmraco]

That’s cool.    I have seen some vids on YouTube on this.  You dye it, seal it, then use some sort of gel stain. To fill the grain and wipe off.  Seal.

I am sure Tonar’s description is better....i will check it out.

Thx

 

[TBurst Std]

Booked marked. I believe this is want I want to do on a future Thinline build. 

 

[ThePhilosopher]

My old Blackwater had a similar finish to above, but with the black in the grain:

 

[dmraco]

That’s a sweet build.  How do you like the multi scale?

 

[ThePhilosopher]

It was comfy, I sold the guitar to fund grad school. I'd build a similar guitar again if I could justify the cost, but a straight scale baritone works for me too.

 

[ByteFrenzy]

Steel brush, running along the grain, then a mix of wenge with a very little ebony stain, finally a couple of coats clear matte finish.

 

[Cagey]

Damn! That thing looks good enough to eat! It's like a big ol' chocolate Easter bass!  :laughing7:

 

[pabloman]

Check out Wudtone finishes. They have some cool stuff going on over there.  ccasion14:

 

[dmraco]

Steel brush, running along the grain, then a mix of wenge with a very little ebony stain, finally a couple of coats clear matte finish.

Nice work

 

[ByteFrenzy]

Damn! That thing looks good enough to eat! It's like a big ol' chocolate Easter bass!  :laughing7:

Not that big... SSB...

 

[zebra]

My old Blackwater had a similar finish to above, but with the black in the grain:

This is just shocking, on so many levels (in a good way)...and directions.

 

[docteurseb]

Tonar told me about a finish for Swamp Ash that's pretty unique, and even gave the details on how to do it. Then, I recently saw a video on doing it. Basically, you end up with "negative" grain. You'd think I could remember what it's called, but I don't and can't find the details now. But, in the end, instead of having dark streaks of grain in a light or transparent finish as is commonly done, you end up with light streaks of grain with a dark finish. It's usually done with black and white, but I could see how you could do it with other colors, like this...

I remember now - it's called "Doghair". The shot above is done on Mahogany, but I've seen it on Swamp Ash.

Here's the thread where Tonar tells how to do it.

Here are a few other "reversed grain" Swamp Ash ideas; I doubt it's the same process - I don't know how it's done...

Turns out these techniques are collectively called "cerused", and it's commonly done with oak. I'll leave it to you to feed Google with that word. Spoiler alert: you'll end up on a lotta furniture finisher sites.

Oh great timing! Just when I already had way too many ideas of new builds/finishes to try

That black tele is gorgeous, I just saw that same finish scheme used on the mahogany body and neck of that PRS:
https://wildwestguitars.com/electric/2017-prs-private-stock-6817-408-signature-flame-top-african-blackwood-fretboard-charcoal-smoked-burst

doing a tele or regal build in that finish is very tempting....

 

[bagman67]

Also known as the dog-hair finish.  Collings is a practitioner as well:

 

[Cagey]

That PRS is pretty sharp! Only $9K, too!

I also like that Collings ES. I still don't have a semi-hollow in the stable. Gonna have to correct that one on these days.

Maybe I'll try to fit one of those finishes in this summer. I've got a 7-string Mahogany SG sitting in storage just rotting... was going to do it in caution yellow, but I'll have to look at it again. It's "kit" guitar, so it may not be a good candidate. They don't use woods of the same caliber Warmoth does, so the grain may not be worth exposing.

 

[docteurseb]

I'm fairly certain it could be negotiated down to $7k, a real bargain !