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View Full Version : Carving a Spalted top body?



Michael Icefire
23-07-2014, 08:57 PM
This is about the cap, so I guess counts as a finishing question..
Wondering if anyone has tried to carve a spalted top, to round the horns and body edges? I will attach a pic or 2 so you can see what I am talking about. I know I would lose a bit of the cap in those areas, but I've seen some that blended that into the design well. The second pic shows one barely carved...

Look at the back of the one in the case, The front edges around the horns would have some body wood showing, like that...I like spalted tops, but don't like flat bodies that well...
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/g1s07-Isabellaback2.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/61r3i-custom_8_string_guitar_walnut_birdseye_maple_2_lar ge.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/526sn-DV019_Jpg_Regular_514316_010_natural_close_angle.j pg

pablopepper
23-07-2014, 09:39 PM
The spalt cap will only be about 1mm thick. any carving will go straight through into the basswood or whatever is underneath, but if you're okay with that, then it's up to you. That said, you're considering an Ib-5 yeah? They have nice rounded, contoured bodies like the more expensive Ibanez Soundgears. Not exactly a flat top.

ultpanzi
23-07-2014, 10:19 PM
The second pic isnt a veneer. Its a thick top alternate wood allowing for carving. If youre going to go for it, watch out for binding. If you have binding, dont try to sand through it, cut it to the curve you want first so youre only carving through wood. Its not 100% necessary but it gives you a little more control. Hope this helps and have fun carving it up!!

Michael Icefire
23-07-2014, 11:23 PM
I thought the IB-5 with a spalted top came flat like the IB-6. Are you saying it comes rounded like a ash IB-5? That will help me a lot if it already comes that way. There are no pics anywhere of the special order IB-5S to compare...

pablopepper
23-07-2014, 11:50 PM
Oh right, didn't think of that. Can't say I've seen a spalt top Ib-5. I'm pretty sure the top on an Ib-6 isn't flat like, say a telecaster top. There is still some contouring going on, just not fully curved off like the ash 5 stringer.

Michael Icefire
24-07-2014, 02:24 AM
I don't know either, just going by this pic of the IB-6, thought the IB-5 spalted would be very similar. Check out the body pic of the 6 on the bass page, looks flat in the pix..

pablopepper
24-07-2014, 02:33 AM
Here's Lawry's. Bit better angle om this pic.
https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/1796685_467337510061331_41955318_n.jpg?oh=4e55e28a 7b0f6415e3d26544b045c366&oe=544E42E2

Michael Icefire
24-07-2014, 04:17 AM
Looks like he may have shaped its bit, just what I want to do if needed.

pablopepper
24-07-2014, 04:33 AM
That's how the kit comes standard bro.

wokkaboy
24-07-2014, 05:25 AM
yes Michael the IB6 does come like that, the edges are contoured back and front.
If the IB-5S follows the same shape as the IB-5 then it could be more rounded than the IB-6 but the IB-5 is a slightly smaller body

lawry
24-07-2014, 10:56 AM
These words they speak are true. I didn't do any shaping on my IB6. They come nicely shaped like that.

Michael Icefire
24-07-2014, 01:52 PM
Thanks, maybe Adam or DingoBass can jump in here, and let me know if a IB-5S would be contoured like the IB-6?

Thanks

Michael Icefire
24-07-2014, 01:57 PM
Lawry, did you have to 'stabilize' the spalted areas anyway before finishing? I see on the interwebs that some folks say you have to with spalt, others , no..They don't agree. They talk about superglue, epoxy, shellac, lots of sealers first. They also talk about the softer areas soaking up stain unevenly...did you have any finish issues when you did yours? I want to try Wudtone, maybe with dewaxed shellac underneath. Looks great, btw..
Thanks

wokkaboy
25-07-2014, 12:30 AM
Michael have you looked at the IB-5 gallery ?
link is http://www.pitbullguitars.com/community/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=625
The IB-5S should follow a similar shape. The IB5 has rounder edges where the IB-6S has more flat tapered carved sides, if that makes sense.
here's the link to the IB-6S gallery
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/community/?mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=973.0

lawry
25-07-2014, 06:43 AM
Hey Michael (do you prefer Mike or Mick?)
I didn't need to do anything to the cap. It was glued down very well and had hardly any glue spilling out. The only thing you have to be EXCEPTIONALLY careful about is that the cap is VERY thin. Sand very carefully or you will go through it. But from my experience no special prep on the spalt was required. How bout you, Wokka?

wokkaboy
25-07-2014, 09:22 AM
same Lozza, just light sanding then stain and clear coats. Had no issues of softer areas where the spalt was

Michael Icefire
25-07-2014, 02:21 PM
sounds great, thanks guys, I now have enough info for WHAT I'm gonna buy, now need to have the MONEY to order it. Should be about 2 weeks.