Here we go... Muzza's first build. Non PBG PRS-1TS

[Maddogm]

Id guess it'd have to be rubbed in as it's a stain rather than a paint, also why you can still see the grain with the black stump - it's colouring the grain rather than covering it

but there are much more knowledgeable people than me out there

[Tweaky]

"Popping the grain"....!!!!!

Who's f#$%&*@ idea was THAT?

If I didn't hate sanding before, I sure do now. Safe to say, I'm not trying that again.


I've gotta say, I'm not enjoying this hand rubbed burst experience. Hopefully, the fruit of my efforts will make it all worthwhile, but I'm not liking the result so far.

After more 240 grit (and even down to 180 grit) than the whole build so far...
Attachment 8700

I was just going to coat the whole face with Nullabor Ochre and wait until the new improved 'BLACK Stump' arrives.
Attachment 8701

But my curiosity and impatience got the better of me - I tried my hand at the initial stages of a burst using the 'Blackish' Stump - thinking the thin-ness may help me with the blending.
Attachment 8702

The third photo is after about 5 coats of N.O. and B.S. Probably should've stopped after 3 or 4 as it just wasn't taking any more in.

BTW, the Black Stump does look black in these photos, but it's really thin/transparent. The grain of the maple is still very visible.

I reckon my airbrush is going to see the light of day for the first time in over 12 years on my next build. It'll need new 'O' rings I'd say...

Can you spray DingoTone? Or does it HAVE to be rubbed in?

I've just copied your photos, then stuck them in photoshop to see what a light yellow /gold stain might look like if you "Lightly" rubbed it in, starting from the centre working out.

To save you the suspense, it could look like a highly desirable PRS custom job.

IMHO, leave it as is ATM....get some light yellow stain/dye, and make it very weak....then slowly build up the yellow starting from the centre, go over the black as well. it will give it that vintage 'Old Nitrocellulose' look....it could end up looking like my 40 year old 347.
Depends how shiny you want it, and what sort or finish you intend, clear or tinted.

Every stuff up has a silver lining....it just might not be what you expected....best rule is..... be happy to have a guitar to work on, and think laterally.

PM me for a specific procedure on how to get this axe of yours the envy of everybody else.
You might not see it, but I can.

[Muzza]

Thanks Tweaky, but that's only the first few coats. The black part of the burst will eventually take up a lot more of the surface before I'm finished. Have a look half way down page 3 of his thread to see what I'm hoping to emulate.

The black scares me, so I'm taking baby steps - each coat encroaching a little further until I get is something like I want.

Definitely airbrushing next time. I don't have the patience for all this waiting.

[dingobass]

"Popping the grain"....!!!!!

Who's f#$%&*@ idea was THAT?

If I didn't hate sanding before, I sure do now. Safe to say, I'm not trying that again.

I've gotta say, I'm not enjoying this hand rubbed burst experience. Hopefully, the fruit of my efforts will make it all worthwhile, but I'm not liking the result so far.

After more 240 grit (and even down to 180 grit) than the whole build so far...
Attachment 8700

I was just going to coat the whole face with Nullabor Ochre and wait until the new improved 'BLACK Stump' arrives.
Attachment 8701

But my curiosity and impatience got the better of me - I tried my hand at the initial stages of a burst using the 'Blackish' Stump - thinking the thin-ness may help me with the blending.
Attachment 8702

The third photo is after about 5 coats of N.O. and B.S. Probably should've stopped after 3 or 4 as it just wasn't taking any more in.

BTW, the Black Stump does look black in these photos, but it's really thin/transparent. The grain of the maple is still very visible.

I reckon my airbrush is going to see the light of day for the first time in over 12 years on my next build. It'll need new 'O' rings I'd say...

Can you spray DingoTone? Or does it HAVE to be rubbed in?

Bursts can be a challenge.. They do take a bit of patience and practice.
I have sprayed DT with varying results.
The dye based ones such as Black Stump were very successful.
The pigment based such as Nullarbor require a larger nozzle and can be a bit tricky as you need to keep the mixture moving to stop the pigments settling out and blocking the nozzle.

[wazkelly]

Thanks Tweaky, but that's only the first few coats. The black part of the burst will eventually take up a lot more of the surface before I'm finished. Have a look half way down page 3 of his thread to see what I'm hoping to emulate.

The black scares me, so I'm taking baby steps - each coat encroaching a little further until I get is something like I want.

Definitely airbrushing next time. I don't have the patience for all this waiting.

Hi Muzza, ever thought about using humble black ink pad ink or black fountain pen ink which is cheap and available at officeworks.

Looks like most black stains or dyes allow some of the grain to show and probably only a solid black paint would be the alternative to get similar effect as shown on page 3 of this thread.

[Muzza]

I've thought about using lots of alternatives Waz, but I was seduced by the idea of using Dingotone by the many threads here.

Dingo himself said this batch of 'Black Stump' didn't look right and he's sending me a new batch of B.S. mkII. We'll see how that goes.

What frustrates me about using Dingotone (probably Wudtone too) is the eternal wait for it to cure. My enthusiasm for the finishing process is well and truly gone and now I just want to put this guitar together and play the flippin' thing.

[wazkelly]

I feel your pain and frustration as I have been mucking around with my EX-5 since about August and only just starting the final polish and assembly this weekend.

As DB says, you can't rush things if you want a good finish and in the long run it should be worth all the effort and patience required.

[Muzza]

I've got 2 guitar builds on hold and waiting for the DingoTone MkII to arrive is killing me, so I thought I'd see if I could get some more depth to the black if I just persevered with the Translucent Stump MkI.

But no luck. If anything, it seemed to rub off the stuff that was already there.




That's about 10 layers of Black Stump over 3 sessions.

So I went to the big Green Shed and bought something that someone here suggested and tried it on the second build.
Hey Presto. Instant result.
This is only one coat of Jarrah and one coat of Black. (Now that's Black!)


I didn't even try to pop the grain. (Never trying that again anyway...)

I placed the gold hardware on the top to get the effect and I think I may be onto a winner at last.

[gavinturner]

Love the colour choices Muzza! Also I think the gold pickup rings are a perfect compliment. Great work! Looking forward to seeing this one assembled.

cheers,
Gav.

[Muzza]

Love the colour choices Muzza! Also I think the gold pickup rings are a perfect compliment. Great work!

Thanks Gavin. (The one with the gold hardware is my second PRS build, by the way. I put it here to compare the finishes.)

Looking forward to seeing this one assembled.

You and me both mate...