Burl Darkening

[gbarcus]

I've been doing some experiments and wanted to get your input. I spread a liberal amount of Tru-Oil over the board and let it sit for a day or so. I then scrapped off the top layer and let it dry. This allowed the Tru-Oil to really soak into the burl giving it a deep rich color as you can see below. The other piece in the pic is of the same board, but had only thin coats applied which quickly dried. both have only Tru-Oil applied to them.
This method takes months to get hard enough for a usable finish and doesn't give me an exactly favorable time frame to finish a bass. Any tips or methods you guys use?

 

[neurotictim]

I dunno, but that is one wicked looking piece of burl. Very deep-looking.

 

[Grant Bass]

i dunno if it has any actual adverse affects, but theres something about applying oil (and enough to scrape off) to a raw piece you plan on gluing and using