| Author |
Subject |
inta
stella
Registered
User
(9/11/00 3:32:36 am)
Reply |
fancy-colored finishes...?
i have a hold of a "white" cello,
and am looking for a bit of guidance regarding the finish of
it...ideally, if i could get what i Really Want, i would like to
find a way to get it finished in a dark purple, in the "sunburst"
style most commonly found on guitars where it's dark at the edges,
lightening towards the middle - but in some medium transparent
enough to show the wood grain, especially the flaming on the back
and sides. i have seen this type of finish on some electric guitars
and basses, but also do not know if this type of...um, varnish?
stain? finish? (whatever it may be) will adversely affect the
wood/sound quality.
so basically, i guess i'm open to any
guiding comments here. anyone? i have seen non-traditionally colored
instruments before, but never thought to ask about the process or
source, since it was not (at the time) something i planned on
needing to know...
|
Mr
Bill
Registered
User
(9/11/00 5:23:41 am)
Reply |
Re:
fancy-colored finishes...?
A sunburst finish is a combination
of two colors over each other. Usually a gold or straw color die or
stain is used to color the whole instrument, then a darker color is
sprayed or rubbed on and then added again and again to darken the
edges. Find a local guitar shop that can do sprayed lacquer
finishes, ask them to get some stringed instrument lacquer and then
they can tint it any color you like and apply it as a sunburst. What
this will do to the sound of the cello is anybodys guess, I hope its
just a student grade cello...good luck
|
David
Sanders 
Registered User
(9/11/00 11:08:24 am)
Reply |
Re:
fancy-colored finishes...?
May I just ask what the point would
be?
|
Steve
Drake
Registered
User
(9/11/00 3:28:24 pm)
Reply |
Re:
fancy-colored finishes...?
If you have access to usenet, you
might want to ask this on rec.music.makers.builders. Many pro
instrument makers look in there, and can possible answer your
question properly.
You want an approppriately colored
lacquer, but much lighter hued than your finished project, as you
will probably need to layer the finishes to get your desired depth
of finish.
My MP3's
My Cello
Homepage
|
inta
stella
Registered
User
(9/12/00 2:12:04 am)
Reply |
thanks
for the helpful advice...
especially to you again, Mr. Bill.  as to WHY
would i do such a thing? well...because i want it. that's why. i
don't believe i've ever seen a purple/black sunburst-style cello
before, it's something which i have dreamed up as an idea, and now i
have an opportunity (i hope) to make that a reality. and i'm willing
to give up the idea if it becomes hazardous to the integrity of the
instrument's sound quality, or far too expensive for my humble
earnings.
|
me4cello
Registered User
(9/12/00 6:43:28 am)
Reply |
Re:
thanks for the helpful advice...
As the varnish for most cellos has a
pigment added anyway, what's the problem with applying a purple
pigment as opposed to any more "conventional" colour? Should look
gorgwous and you may start a trend!!
|
Len
Thompson
Registered User
(9/12/00 4:53:52 pm)
Reply |
Re:
thanks for the helpful advice...
On the flip side. I once saw a
Gibson Les Paul that was finished to look like an old violin. The
binding around the edge of the body was done in mother of pearl. It
was to drool over! Although, if I wanted a sunburst finish, I would
probably buy a Les Paul. Just my personal taste!
|
Corrina
Connor
Registered
User
(9/13/00 12:50:22 am)
Reply |
must
there be a point?
Of course! To make it look pretty 
|
inta
stella
Registered
User
(9/13/00 3:27:23 am)
Reply |
funny
you mention mother of pearl...
as that is ideally my second choice
after the purple/black sunburst finish - to finish the cello in an
opaque iridescent style, something that would keep it white, but
reflect mother-of-pearl. (i'm pretty sure you were talking about
actual abalone inlay when you said mother of pearl, but i could be
wrong there...in fact, i hope i am because that will mean that an
iridescent finish is quite feasible!!!) and i suppose if i can't
have either of those...well, i haven't decided what to do then. sell
it? (not likely!)
|
Mr
Bill
Registered
User
(9/13/00 6:01:31 am)
Reply |
Re:
funny you mention mother of pearl...
I think that I like the opalescent
idea... It would look very dramatic with the ebony fingerboard and
fittings. You would also have a better chance of still seeing any of
the flame. Find a shop and get some estimates, I don't think that
this is somthing that you would want to try for yourself. When you
get it done, you've got to post some pictures..have fun
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