Finishing Gurus- Gibson Worn Brown from home?

[ex-250]

So this summer I'm hoping to start my first Warmoth build this summer. I'd like to do a mahogany hardtail Jazzmaster, and its of the utmost importance that the finish is similar to Gibson's "Worn Brown." Its my favorite looking finish, and I feel those faded models always resonate better than clearcoated ones.

The only real problem is I have absolutely zero experience with finishing, so I don't even know where to begin. I need to know what to do from start to finish. So if anyone can provide some help, it'd be a huge help.


Perhaps most importantly is that the grain pops like these, darker than the normal surface. Is there anything special done to do this, or will that just happen from normal staining? My guess is something has to be done in particular. Its got to have that contrast.

 

[CTN]

Re: Finishing Gurus- Gibson Worn Brown from home?

my guess is they used a dark brown pore filler, then after sanding that down, probably just a dark brown stain followed by a few thin coats of satin lacquer or polyurethane. maaaaaaaybe even a tung oil or something like it instead of the lacquer. More likely satin lacquer though.

I don't really want to get into the how, because that's an exhaustive subject in and of itself.

check out the guitar refinishing ranch though. tons of useful reading there: http://www.reranch.com/

 

[ex-250]

Re: Finishing Gurus- Gibson Worn Brown from home?

Nice, looks like I was on the right track with what to expect. Needed opinions from people who have actually done a finish before though. Thanks.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Finishing Gurus- Gibson Worn Brown from home?

It's pretty easy to do something very close. If you want a smoother surface and dark grain lines, use a black (or any dark) grain filler. If you want the grain to stay open, and not be so dark, just skip the grain filler (as I believe Gibson do, if I remember my brown SG correctly). Stain the body with the stain of your choice. Give it plenty of time to dry, then overcoat it with satin lacquer. Deft brand should do the trick; it's available over the counter in pretty much every town, and it's inexpensive. One can will be enough if you are very controlled in your spraying, though two wouldn't hurt. Be sure to test techniques and chemical compatibility on scrap wood first.

 

[CTN]

Re: Finishing Gurus- Gibson Worn Brown from home?

I have done a bunch.

I actually did one quite similar to that, but instead of covering it with a satin lacquer i used a glossy brush on polyurethane.

 

[dominus]

Re: Finishing Gurus- Gibson Worn Brown from home?

Practice on scrap first.