Newbie wants to stain an electric guitar -- needs advice

[GitFiddler]

I got this cheapo kit guitar on eBay that I'm going to fix up, a
Tele copy. I don't know what the body is -- basswood or alder maybe,
something with very little grain and fairly tight pores. I don't want
a deep, glossy finish, and I don't want to have to apply 47 coats of
anything. But I like the look of the dark brown Les Paul Studios with
their satin finish. I wouldn't mind it even darker than that, almost
a
blackish-brown. I'm careful with my guitars, so I don't care if the
finish is sort of fragile. The body is fully stripped and ready to
go.
What product/process should I use? If you just want to mention the
product or a link to a process page, that's fine.

[thomas]

On May 7, 11:05 am, GitFiddler <bik1...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I got this cheapo kit guitar on eBay that I'm going to fix up, a
> Tele copy. I don't know what the body is -- basswood or alder maybe,
> something with very little grain and fairly tight pores. I don't want
> a deep, glossy finish, and I don't want to have to apply 47 coats of
> anything. But I like the look of the dark brown Les Paul Studios with
> their satin finish. I wouldn't mind it even darker than that, almost
> a
> blackish-brown. I'm careful with my guitars, so I don't care if the
> finish is sort of fragile. The body is fully stripped and ready to
> go.
> What product/process should I use? If you just want to mention the
> product or a link to a process page, that's fine.

Read around at reranch.com

[tho x. bui]

GitFiddler wrote:
> I got this cheapo kit guitar on eBay that I'm going to fix up, a
> Tele copy. I don't know what the body is -- basswood or alder maybe,
> something with very little grain and fairly tight pores. I don't want
> a deep, glossy finish, and I don't want to have to apply 47 coats of
> anything. But I like the look of the dark brown Les Paul Studios with
> their satin finish. I wouldn't mind it even darker than that, almost
> a
> blackish-brown. I'm careful with my guitars, so I don't care if the
> finish is sort of fragile. The body is fully stripped and ready to
> go.
> What product/process should I use? If you just want to mention the
> product or a link to a process page, that's fine.
>
What ever you do, try it on a big piece of scrap wood first.
It takes skills to do a good varnishing job, and that can only be
obtained by some practice.

If you don't, and intend to use your instrument as the practice piece,
be ready to buy a couple more. The last thing I'd want to hear after
spending a gazillion hours of sanding and prepping: "Oh that nice, did
you do that yourself?"

Even a simple varnishing job will take at least two weeks. If you're
trying out a new varnishing system, it will take at least twice, thrice
as long before you can get it right.

Tho

[Twang]

On May 7, 11:05 am, GitFiddler <bik1...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I got this cheapo kit guitar on eBay that I'm going to fix up, a
> Tele copy. I don't know what the body is -- basswood or alder maybe,
> something with very little grain and fairly tight pores. I don't want
> a deep, glossy finish, and I don't want to have to apply 47 coats of
> anything. But I like the look of the dark brown Les Paul Studios with
> their satin finish. I wouldn't mind it even darker than that, almost
> a
> blackish-brown. I'm careful with my guitars, so I don't care if the
> finish is sort of fragile. The body is fully stripped and ready to
> go.
> What product/process should I use? If you just want to mention the
> product or a link to a process page, that's fine.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid207/p6f10375c8299b79ad580b3497d9a0949/eea250ec.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid207/p8e868026d1c119220825f3c93ecdec8c/eea24ebb.jpg

removed sealer.. sanded.. *did some funky top carving..added rear
lower contour**
stained, wipe on poly.
assemble play.

remove the sealer and the top may not be flat. that's why it's thick
sealer..
*on some guitars*
stain wont be even. edges drink it up.. some places reject it. takes
somes creative staining to get it nice. but not terrible.

TWANG