ES-2V build

[stan]

Grant that is very slick, nice job

[neverwas]

Muzza, you asked how I got the colour and how to apply the finish.

I had a look for the ratio of Carmine Gypsy and Black Magic Woman I used for the main colour but couldn't find the bit of paper with it written on. From memory - and I wouldn't trust this too much - it was four parts CG to one part BMW. I suggest getting a piece of timber to use as a test piece and start by adding less BMW to the mix (adding more if needed) and seeing if that gives you what you're after. If the kit you want to put the colour on is basswood, same as this one, applying it to a piece of pine will give you a reasonable idea how it will come out.
I bought the Wudtone from PBG and still have a copy of the instructions sheet they sent out with it. I have scanned it and needed to reduce the size so hopefully is still readable. Also Adam and DB did at least one 'applying wudtone' vid, it's probably still on YT, nothing ever dies on the internet.


You asked about "mix with BMW burst". Read that line as 'CG and BMW mix' with 'BMW burst', ie main colour of CG and BMW mixed together to get the desired colour, followed by the BMW applied around the edge to give the burst.
I used an airbrush for the burst - don't remember needing to thin the colour - but there is a two-part vid on YT titled 'Wudtone - How to Burst' which shows how to do it by hand (with cloth swabs) if that is a better way for you. ( I'd put a link to it if I knew how). Just remember to lightly steel wool between coats.
Probably not the precise answer or tutorial you were looking for, but hopefully some help.

Grant

[Muzza]

Thanks mate. It's a good start. I couldn't work out what BMW was as I couldn't find BMW on their site. Then the penny dropped...

I was more interested in the technique than the colour ratios. I'll probably go with more of a brown for the centre colour anyway to emulate my Maton BB1200JH. But I must say, when I saw your guitar for the first time it jumped out of the screen at me.. Well done mate.

Did you win the GOTM that month? I'd be surprised if you didn't.

I found the two vids you mentioned, but they're a bit quick/vague. He doesn't like hanging around on YouTube, does he...

The vids that Adam and Dingo did were very informative, but I'd like to see them do a burst 'how to' video.

[Muzza]

I just had another look at the 2 'How To Burst' videos and I'm not convinced it's as easy as he says...

You say you used an airbrush. How? Did you put the base coat on first, let it dry then spray the darker dyes?

Did you have to dilute the BMW for the airbrush, or did it go through neat?

Sorry about the barrage of questions.

FYI, this is the finish on my Maton BB1200 that I'm trying to copy, or get close to. You can probably see why yours jumped out at me.

[Muzza]

Was hoping the back and neck would come out darker. After many coats it just wasn't happening.

yeah Grant the maple necks don't take the stain as well as the bodies do. BMW is a difficult stain to get right and its not as dark as some other black stains I've used

Hmmm... This concerns me. The ONLY thing I don't like about your build is the colour on the back. Is that where you mixed the CG with the BMW, or is that straight BMW?

[neverwas]

For putting the burst on, first get the main colour on to where you're happy with it, let it cure, gently steel wool, apply the burst by hand or spray, let cure, then apply your top/clear coats. There may be variations on this process but that's what worked for me.
Seem to remember using paint thinner (acrylic lacquer thinner) for cleaning up the airbrush so may have put a little in the BMW to help spraying. I see elsewhere you have got in touch with DB about DingoTone, he knows more about these products than I do so you're on the right track there.
The back and sides were straight BMW. In hindsight, pretty sure I over sanded them trying to get as flat/smooth a finish as possible. Think I sanded to 600 grit (before applying the first coat of stain) instead of stopping at 320 or 400, which would be why the stains didn't take as well as they could have.
Think that covers about all I can help with.
Love your Maton.

Grant