FrankenWashie's Third, The Cliche Black LP

[wazkelly]

Nah, not in keeping with All Black colours Cuz but it does look cool.

[FrankenWashie]

So the FrankenLab was busy last evening with the sounds of sanding. Long story short, this hog body is a lot rougher than any of the other bodies I've had to date.

There's a lot of sanding in my future. The Veneer cleaned up really nicely with a couple of passes at 400 grit so there's no need to do any more there. The edges have some heavy scratches and digs, so they are going to need most of the work. There will definitely be some grainfilling needed.

[wazkelly]

Better start eating some spinach so you can grow arms like Popeye to help you cut through the sanding a bit quicker.

[FrankenWashie]

Better start eating some spinach so you can grow arms like Popeye to help you cut through the sanding a bit quicker.

How d'you reckon popeye would go trying to play guitar? When you consider normal playing stances or positions he'd have to struggle wouldn't he?

[wazkelly]

Yeah, I reckon you are right. About all he would be good for is starting fights!

[Ghaynas]

In a way or another it will look cool, an LP always looks cool XD. Personally I would had chosen the Black option, the idea of a dark and obscure guitar to play metal seduces me very much, in fact that's one of the ideas I have for future projects. But I understand you have decided the "sanding option", that veneer is really beautiful and it will look cool that way too. I'll follow this threat, it's very interesting, in a way or another you'll create a really cool guitar.

[FrankenWashie]

Thanks Ghaynas, I'm still conflicted on the flame top. I am going to test Wazkelly's grain popping treatment on some scrap, then I am going to attempt it on the top.

If it all works out, then a translucent top it shall be, with a dark burst at the edges. If it all goes badly this LP is going to go dark!

[Dedman]

listen to Mick

[FrankenWashie]

Wow Frankie, what a dilemma!

I have devilishly contemplated doing something similar to Arzi's Barncaster that would require using Black Ink Jet Ink and reckon it might just work on this. Here are some ideas.....

Wipe the black ink on with a rag and allow it to get touch dry and then wipe off as much as you can on the front and back with a 'just damp' (not wringing wet) cloth to soak up as much of the black as possible but leaving all that you can on the edges to act as a black border. Remember to keep rinsing the cloth out in a bucket of water so that it can absorb more ink on each pass.

Leave to dry overnight or 24 hours if possible then hit it again with another damp cloth wipe to see if any more ink comes off. The grain should be popping by now. If things don't look dark enough repeat step one again. After a second drying period and subsequent damp wipe the grain should be popping off the dial. Don't forget to do the back of the neck and maybe headstock face too at the same time. Don't think it will need a 3rd ink session as you run the risk of too much soaking in. Did this on my Blue Tele and it brought the best out in the flame maple top and reckon It would look unreal in shades of black through to grey.

As I have had best results with TO that would be my choice for top coats however anything goes over ink provided you give it plenty of time to fully dry so that leaves you with lots of options.

I wonder if this would work with India Ink? "QUICKLY, TO THE FRANKENLAB!!!"

[wazkelly]

India ink should work. Just tend to find ink jet inks are really powerful in their colour tones and have lots of depth whereas ink pad stuff can be a little bit dull in comparison. If the India ink is made for fountain pens and looks very, very black on paper or timber you should be right to go.