Noobie

Exciting stuff awaiting a new PBG kit arrival.

When you say be careful sanding the maple veneer, I assume it just needs a light sand with a low grain sandpaper... more focussing on the sides and back of the body and neck? Cheers hell excited!!

When they say be careful, it is because the veneer is extremely thin, like 0.5mm thick. If you are too enthusiastic, you will sand right through it!!
Don't go too high with the grit of your sandpaper, maybe 400grit at the most. If you go higher than that, you run the risk of "polishing" the timber and compressing the fibers, which will stop the stain from taking hold.
Don't rush yourself, ask plenty of questions(remember the only stupid question, is the one you don't ask!) and share the experience with everyone!

Hi Paul, as Zandit said don't go higher than 400 grit paper. Which PRS kit did you order ? There is a spalted maple,a flame maple and quilted maple veneers.
The quilted and flame maple you can pop the grain by putting a black stain over it and sanding it back and add your colour stain.
If you do this technique then put the black stain on the veneer with no pre-sanding.
I would start sanding the veneer on 240 grit and finish on 320 grit, just a light sand. Rest of the body I usually start on 180 grit and go through to about 360 grit

It's the PRS 1-TS... so it has the flame maple... damn should have ordered some black dingotone... any other readily available stains I can get from bunnings or an art store for the black??

Thanks for the advice.

Hi Paul, go to your local green shed (Bunnings) sell 50ml bottles of Feast Watson proof tint are about $8-9. Get black is blacker than Japan Black.

Thanks Wokkaboy!

So, apply the Japan black to the maple, sand it back then apply my dingo-tone Bondi Blue? Sounds like a plan!

Cheers.

Hi Paul, yes rag on the black stain without any prior sanding. Sand it back with 320 grit to be on the safe side so it looks something like the attached pic. Then you can apply the coloured stain

Cheers great advice already. Can see this becoming an addictive hobby!