JB's MM-1Q.

[JB RETRO]

Definately looks right in the centre, haven't checked yet, quite even and book matched really well from the first look

[Fretworn]

The quilt will pop with the stain to some degree. Maple probably won't be as receptive the dark filling like other woods with larger pores are.

[Simon Barden]

You want to avoid sanding back the maple veneer if at all possible, because it's so thin. Any attempt to really pop the quilt should probably be done in a dark stain, which is applied and then as much wiped off as possible with a rag. You can get by with a very light sand with 400 or 600 grit, but very light and really only enough to remove any grain lifted by the stain (if using water-based stain). But this process will darken the wood to some extent, and so darken the overall finish. If it was a solid maple top, you could sand back more until most of the top was bare wood again.

If in doubt, you could try getting some maple veneer and try out the DT alone compared to stain + DT.

[JB RETRO]

Thanks guys, I'm thinking I might just go with the straight Dingo tone. As you say Simon, from reading some recent and past builds of guys sanding through pretty easily, I think I'll just play it a bit safe. I may get some Maple Veneer as a tester, cause I'm thinking of a headstock veneer anyhow

[Simon Barden]

I've got a couple of flamed maple veneer kits on the way and so I've got a similar issue, having never tried popping before. I've got some maple veneer from a mixed marquetry veneer pack, so I'll be testing on that first.

[FrankenWashie]

So it arrived yesterday, was almost to nervous to open the box. At this stage I have no plans for upgrades but that can be done down the track as the funds come in. I am going to try and pay tribute to the current MM Axis that is a "Trans gold" colour. So I have ordered some coolongatta gold from DB for the front and am going to use Japan black on the back and sides. The neck will be au natural in TO and the headstock face to match the body.Attachment 24025Attachment 24026Attachment 24027

Oh that looks awful JB. Best you send it to the FrankenLab and we’ll take care of it for you.
All joking aside that is a stunning looking kit, good score.

[JB RETRO]

I think you and Igor have quite enough experiments on the table. Haven't had a real good look at it yet but I'm pretty happy at the moment

[Adam Barnes]

Hey jb, I've been thinking about this, i was too scared to sand through so i used tru oil only, but what if you did a fairlt runny timbermate and sanded back with 400 grit before it goes too hard, like an hr or hr/half just as it changes colour you would hardly touch the veneer. I'd test it on something first though

[Rossc0]

Hey jb, I've been thinking about this, i was too scared to sand through so i used tru oil only, but what if you did a fairlt runny timbermate and sanded back with 400 grit before it goes too hard, like an hr or hr/half just as it changes colour you would hardly touch the veneer. I'd test it on something first though

That's exactly what I was going to do with my ES12G with a flame top. A very runny ebony timbermate. Would be interesting if someone went first...

[JB RETRO]

I have ordered a veneer for the headstock, so I'll have a test run on that first. Stay posted.