Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Bliss on December 3, 2010 at 9:41am

Someone showed some recently, scuffed up with some sandpaper and I think shellaced with a weak mixture. And someone else talked of antiquing with some colored wax product buffed on, think it was called Binwax.
Show us what you come up with, I like the idea of some worn vintage looking boxes. In fact I am always on the watch for useable vintage boxes, antique value be damned........

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Permalink Reply by john donovan on December 3, 2010 at 11:21am

Im very new to the luthier field but have experience in woodworking.

Chain works good. My favorite technique to antique wood is to use a technique called "smoking" and it's easy. Just get a long thin candle. Light it up. Put it under the wood you want to antique and turn it sideways. It will smoke a lot and that's your goal. You want that smoke to discolor you wood randomly. Also the wax within that smoke will help too. Then lightly sand the smoke to your preference. Then stain it or poly. The hidden wax will also affect your finish nicely.

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Permalink Reply by MikeBoy on December 3, 2010 at 2:08pm

I took a torch to the neck of the last build. I am very pleased with the results.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on December 3, 2010 at 2:19pm

John, I had a simullar problem with one had to re cut some F holes then antiqued it for fun. First I studied real worn out CBG pics to see the wear pattern, just happens Shane Speal has a few pics of a very worn out Macanudo on his page. I sanded and scuffed with sandpaper and steel wool, rounded some edges then used some old stain I had sitting around to discolor some areas. It came out good I thought, sold it and will be doing the same again tomorrow. Good luck and have fun with it.

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on December 3, 2010 at 5:27pm

Old Lowe is the master, as far as I am concerned. He spraypaints the whole thing with flat black paint, and then sands it off. I've tried his method with other colors of flat acrylic paint, too, with good results. I then put a coat of some oil based stain -- pretty much any color -- to mellow it out. Great for creating wear patterns between frets and on the box.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/OldLowe

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Permalink Reply by Roosterman on December 3, 2010 at 11:05pm

Black paint, mouse sander, blowtorch, staining wax, more sanding.... :o)

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on December 4, 2010 at 1:17am

Just Play the crap out of it ..... looks more authentic and "honest".
And, I guarantee you will be happy with the results.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on December 4, 2010 at 3:50am

Thanks for all the tips. I looked at some old CBGs of Shanes and looked at Old Lowes. I like Old Lowe's paint and remove thing. I really like the torch effect that MikeBoy posted below - and it showed me that it's probably okay to not antique the tuners...... I may try to de-shine the knobs.

I do not have a torch, although they are not too pricey. I will try some sanding, knicking, candling, painting and sanding.

I hope to get the desired look. There are so many beautiful, fancy, bright, brassed up CBGs.... I admire them and I have made some colorful, bright and brassy ones myself. And like them. But there is a pureness and sad sweetness to the ones that look like they are old time and made from the poor materials at hand and then played and played.

If the results are not too embarrassing, I will post a photo when done.

God Bless, build and play on. Thanks for an interested, helpful community.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on December 4, 2010 at 5:02am

You're probably right, Matt. But I am impatient and will try to make it look old (fake it) now.
John



Artist Formerly Known as Matt said:

Just Play the crap out of it ..... looks more authentic and "honest".
And, I guarantee you will be happy with the results.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by colin mcgrath on December 4, 2010 at 5:03am

One guy around here swears by hitting the wood with a rock then rubbing it on the surface you want old. Me, I simply don't put any thing on the wood at all, I take them outside leave em in the chicken coop and never wash my hands before touching the neck. If you are selling them however, that process is not the cup'o'tea you might want. I am surprised no one typed the steel wool and vinegar mix. It always seems to come up on this discussion. I have never used it myself, but from the photos guys post it seems to darken the wood and still leave some grain, depending on the strength used.

Something else I like to do is to strike the box against the wife's dary air. That could be hazardous to one's health well before that antique look is achieved.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on December 4, 2010 at 5:22am

Be careful Colin, you may antique the :dary air" more that the guitar, lol : )


colin mcgrath said:

One guy around here swears by hitting the wood with a rock then rubbing it on the surface you want old. Me, I simply don't put any thing on the wood at all, I take them outside leave em in the chicken coop and never wash my hands before touching the neck. If you are selling them however, that process is not the cup'o'tea you might want. I am surprised no one typed the steel wool and vinegar mix. It always seems to come up on this discussion. I have never used it myself, but from the photos guys post it seems to darken the wood and still leave some grain, depending on the strength used.

Something else I like to do is to strike the box against the wife's dary air. That could be hazardous to one's health well before that antique look is achieved.

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Permalink Reply by colin mcgrath on December 4, 2010 at 5:37am

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MichaelS said:

Be careful Colin, you may antique the :dary air" more that the guitar, lol : )


colin mcgrath said:

One guy around here swears by hitting the wood with a rock then rubbing it on the surface you want old. Me, I simply don't put any thing on the wood at all, I take them outside leave em in the chicken coop and never wash my hands before touching the neck. If you are selling them however, that process is not the cup'o'tea you might want. I am surprised no one typed the steel wool and vinegar mix. It always seems to come up on this discussion. I have never used it myself, but from the photos guys post it seems to darken the wood and still leave some grain, depending on the strength used.

Something else I like to do is to strike the box against the wife's dary air. That could be hazardous to one's health well before that antique look is achieved.

• ▶ Reply

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