www.KitGuitarsForum.com

Has anyone had any experience in creating the ambertone style finish like as seen on the 00018ge models?

I am looking to start another build and really love that style of finish.

Looks simialar to a sunburst just not that dark.

Thanks for any ideas.

I use toners to do that. You can find them usually where you get your finishes. Stew mac sells a spray can of toner . I like to use a lighter under coat and a darker over coat , then I can use wet sanding to get the faded look and may highlight and blend the colors to get it even.

You can also add some transtint or other pigment to your clear to get the same type effect. Add some toner to the mix in the gun and shoot the entire surface, add a few more drops and spray again leaving some of the center uncoated. keep adding toner and stepping back with each coat. As John mentioned blending can be done by wet sanding.

Thanks for ideas.

Wanted to try someting different on the second build.

Rick

Here's a photo of the top with caramel amber shellac. I like the way it turned out, use garnet shellac for the back and sides - very vintage looking.

jrc

Beautiful!!!!

Love the look.

I hope mine will look even close to that!!!

Shellac is all that you used?

I have only done the finish on two guitars so far. Both were done with StewMac aerosols.

Can you list your steps and the number of coats and sanding steps?

I used French Polish method, no stain, shellac only. LMI shellac: Garnet, Platina, Caramel Amber shellac flakes; Everclear grain alcohol. I seal coated with platina (light blond), then used garnet for the sides, back and neck. I used the caramel amber for the top. I am very pleased with the caramel amber color on the Sitka spruce, I decided to try it without the stain to see how it would work. This is my first guitar so I'm very pleased w/results.

jrc

I have seen this in person . The guitar looks good. James is a better builder than photographer LOL

Yeah, cuz, I gave my kid my upgrade so she could get an iPhone!