EXM-1 in Mahogany - clear finish or stain

[Supamack]

Looking for some advice on achieving this colour finish on a Mahogany EXM-1 kit.

I've done the grain filler and plenty of sanding to get a really smooth finish and I'm thinking that a clear coat finish straight onto the timber my bring out the colour I'm looking for?

[JWGourlay]

Maybe achieved by using korina wood like the original 50s ones.

[Andyxlh]

you could use a Feast Watson Prooftint Jarrah stain, thinned with Metho as it would be too dark otherwise, it's orangeish.
Their golden teak is also a yellowy colour.
If you really want this exact tone, you can mix these stains and test on a similar piece of scrap timber.
remember that the final coat might change the colour also, an acrylic won't yellow much, but poly will give it a yellow tinge, might be what you want for this finish.

[king casey]

Their golden teak is also a yellowy colour.

It does get more orange, the more you put on.
Better to start light and then add to it rather than start too dark.

cheers, Mark.

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

What kind of grain filler did you use?

I've seen finishes like that on mahogany on Gibson guitars that just have a natural grain filler to lighten it up a bit and then just clear coat.

[wazkelly]

Ozzbike has done a few natural Mahogany builds finished with just Tru Oil and that has kept the lighter colour. It will never match Korina but looks near enough to be good enough.

Here's my EX-1 basswood body/maple neck done with Dingo Tone Coolangatta Gold Base & Intensifier coats and top coats done with Tru Oil. Now that it has aged a bit it looks pretty dam close to Korina which is exactly what I was aiming for.


Mars bar in shot was only to provide a colour reference guide. Photo was taken 3 years ago and as TO ages is adds a bit more amber tint and looks more like the gooey caramel part of a Mars bar now.

Not sure how this would go on Mahogany but from seeing Ozzies MMB5 in the flesh I was surprised how light 'hog was in its natural state. It might just work in getting close to Korina but reckon it would only need 2 or 3 base coats and same with intensifier otherwise the level of yellow may be too bright.

Cheers, Waz