Seriously, I think it would look cool. In fact, the idea of a distressed build is way cool. The luthier I recently met (well, talked on the phone with a couple of times), John Gathright, that lives in SW Arkansas builds distressed mandolins. I think he had ideas and his son worked at a furniture company that used aging techniques. They put them together and, viola, a new mandolin that looks like it was built in the '30s.
BTW, in the old days people would "fire" wood so it would wear better. For example, the hub of a wagon wheel was burnt so it would wear better on the axle. So I'm not sure but I'm guessing burning the surface may have some kind of "case hardening" effect. If so, could it make a top stiffer at the same thickness? I'm guessing there is an art to getting just the right amount of burn without going overboard. Somewhere I have a picture of a persimmon deer grunt call I own that is "burnt" in places to make it look nice. Not sure what technique was used but I'm guessing it was done while still in the lathe.
Ben-Had wrote:You have the "burning" experience, I say go for it. Who knows we may start a new trend!johnnparchem wrote:Tim, this project is really cool. Thank you for posting it. The burnt top is great. It is funny my wife has been pushing me to build a burnt wood guitar as a finishing technique. Looking at this guitar I might just try it.