|
It is currently Sun Apr 28, 2024 9:42 am
|
View unanswered posts | View active topics
Info about a light Bamboo Grand
Author |
Message |
Captain Strings
Master Contributor
Joined: Thu May 30, 2013 2:45 pm Posts: 792 Location: Sylmar, California
|
Info about a light Bamboo Grand
I'm looking seriously at a light bamboo grand and have a few concerns about such a light color on basically unfinished wood. I know bamboo is tough,stiff,light and love the look of the thing because the color differential of the various laminations is very even. I guess what I'm worried about is over time it might get skin oil,smudges and other funk that may get into the pores and grain and be hard to keep clean and nice. A light color Stick appeals to me also because there comes a certain point in a man's life when he would like to see his instrument and this one reflects a good bit of light off the fretboard. Also I was wondering about the various wood oil treatments one could use to A. protect the wood from said funk and B. To maybe add a shade or two of a darker brownish/yellowish tint and protect the wood. I know Emmett puts a light oil rub in finish on there to begin with but it seems very subtle compared with what I had in mind. Or is it best to just try to keep it clean and go with it on the natch. Luckily I have a very alkaline PH factor in my skin and hands and have not had the issues some guys have with strings and finish rotting off the instrument due to the chemistry of their perspiration,etc. Anyone out there had any experience with a light bamboo Stick? What can I expect?
|
Wed Mar 26, 2014 3:46 pm |
|
|
AndyJPro
Site Donor
Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:34 pm Posts: 781 Location: Fargo, ND, USA
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
I know Dave Brosky can shed some light on the reflective nature of the light bamboo. As far as finishing goes, modern Sticks are done in Danish Oil, which is a very durable finish. It does wear away after an extended period of time (check Per Boysen, and Bob Culbertson's Sticks), but is easy and simple to reapply. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_oil
_________________ Green Ash 10-string Stickup+StepABout = <3 Serial Number 6290
|
Wed Mar 26, 2014 4:44 pm |
|
|
BSharp
Master Contributor
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:45 am Posts: 1183
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
When you visited here last, I remember confirming your suspicion that the light yellowish natural bamboo fretboard color would indeed eventually stain in an irregular way. I forgot to explain that when we repair and rework Sticks of any age, we often refinish the fretboard surface between each fret all along the board.
We have a technique of fine sanding the surface between the frets before dressing the frets, thus any abrasive deformities to the metal fret caused by refinishing the wood are totally corrected by final fret filing and crowning.
Then with a couple coats of Danish oil or a similar Watco solution, your light toned instrument would look like new (and of course sound and play like new).
Still, I prefer our "dark" (medium tan) bamboo as a material, especially if it's stained a bit ("antiqued") to make it even a bit darker. It's still a "soft finish" like all hand rubbed oil finishes on natural woods, and very forgiving when touching up dents and scratches.
|
Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:34 pm |
|
|
Captain Strings
Master Contributor
Joined: Thu May 30, 2013 2:45 pm Posts: 792 Location: Sylmar, California
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
Since you've jumped in here Emmett,let me ask - is it possible to "antique" a shade or two more yellowing on this particular one we're talking about? How big of a deal would that be at this point?
|
Wed Mar 26, 2014 11:38 pm |
|
|
BSharp
Master Contributor
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:45 am Posts: 1183
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
As opposed to wood dyes, wood stains with an oil base make for subtle differences, slightly darkening or reddening the lighter toned hardwoods - a rich looking effect. Dark staining the very light toned natural bamboo wouldn't have much of an effect and you'd still see the finger stains after a year or so.
I'd go with dark bamboo and our new CNC machining run of all Stick models will be done in 2 or 3 weeks and ready for our next woodworking, assembly and setup stages.
|
Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:04 am |
|
|
greg
Multiple Donor
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 3:07 pm Posts: 7088 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
If you want a really light color, the new Ash is spectacular.
If you are worried about seeing things on the instrument, dark woods with light inlays provide the best contrast for strings, frets and inlays alike.
_________________ Happy tapping, greg Schedule an online Stick lesson
|
Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:31 am |
|
|
EricTheGray
Multiple Donor
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:02 pm Posts: 1851 Location: Monona, WI, USA
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
greg wrote: If you want a really light color, the new Ash is spectacular.
If you are worried about seeing things on the instrument, dark woods with light inlays provide the best contrast for strings, frets and inlays alike. My next Stick will be Ash! I love that wood. And I will have dark linear inlays. (I can dream, can't I?) -Eric
_________________ Rosewood SG12 #5966, Mirrored 4ths Twitter: @ejknapp http://ericjknapp.com
|
Thu Mar 27, 2014 9:04 am |
|
|
rclere
Multiple Donor
Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:53 am Posts: 1518 Location: Seattle, WAq
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
me…. I like a dirty Stick!
|
Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:14 am |
|
|
Captain Strings
Master Contributor
Joined: Thu May 30, 2013 2:45 pm Posts: 792 Location: Sylmar, California
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
Really?
|
Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:39 pm |
|
|
AndyJPro
Site Donor
Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:34 pm Posts: 781 Location: Fargo, ND, USA
|
Re: Info about a light Bamboo Grand
I can plus 1 the ash suggestion. I love my ash Stick.
_________________ Green Ash 10-string Stickup+StepABout = <3 Serial Number 6290
|
Thu Mar 27, 2014 1:45 pm |
|
|
|
Who is online |
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 146 guests |
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
|
|