Oil finish on Swamp Ash?

[fourstringbliss]

I'm planning on replacing the body on my bass with one of these:

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and was originally thinking about going with a solid blonde or vintage cream color, but it seems like such a shame to cover up great ash grain.

What kind of oil finish could/should I use to bring out the grain, slightly color, build up to fill the grain, and protect the wood? What would be the finishing process I should use?

Thanks!

 

[Grant Bass]

grain fill; and wipe on poly; apply like oil but the ash wont drink it all up and will build a bit of protection

 

[fourstringbliss]

grain fill; and wipe on poly; apply like oil but the ash wont drink it all up and will build a bit of protection

What brand should I use?

 

[trayner1]

I usually use miniwax for stain, and Varathane poly, which creates a nice, even coat. I would recommend American Maple or Golden Oak stains for that beauty.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I usually use miniwax for stain, and Varathane poly, which creates a nice, even coat. I would recommend American Maple or Golden Oak stains for that beauty.

How would you apply them?

 

[mikeyswood]

Never stain an instrument.

Use shellac to fill the grain and then a high grade urethane for a top coat.

 

[knucklehead G]

I've used Minwax wipe on poly with good results for the clear coat. I just followed the instructions on the can, applying it with an old t shirt.

 

[fourstringbliss]

Easiest grain fill?

 

[Triad]

No filler... only fire and oil

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[MiniMoose234]

WHOA that looks awesome!

 

[Triad]

Thanx mate!
I'm actually building another one with Ash neck and body with Wengé top. I'm sure the flame finish will blend nicely with the Wengé. And the flamed neck... well, should be nice!

 

[bassteban]

No filler... only fire and oil

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Full frontal, please?

 

[Triad]

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[somegeezer]

Wow. I want a bass made with that body colour and patterning. Gorgeous.

 

[Triad]

Bubinga and Ash? Killer combo. Expecially for your back

 

[Cosmo420]

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Now you're just showing off...

 

[somegeezer]

I definitely think that Jazz body in the OP would look amazing done that way!

 

[Grant Bass]

shellac would never fill ash grain enuff to level it (but by all means if you want to keep it porousy) but then just apply the poly first thing!
and i agree on not using stains; any colour shouild be a dye or ;heaven forbid a paint

 

[fourstringbliss]

Here's the really funny thing about this whole situation. Here's the bass I'm dealing with here when I bought it:

Since then I've replaced the stock pickups with Dimarzio Ultra Jazzes, the bridge with an aluminum Hipshot A, the tuners with Hipshot Ultralites, the electronics with an Audere JZ5D preamp, and am possibly going to trade the fretless neck for a maple/maple fretted neck made by a bass builder here on TB. If the neck trade doesn't happen I still have this Warmoth fretless neck coming in the mail:

The only original parts left would be the body and pickguard. I was thinking about stripping the body and repainting it a vintage white color, but have since decided that if I'm going to strip the body anyway I might as well go with a completely new body.

Funny, huh?

 

[Jon_West]

Just wondering. Why is it not a good idea to use stains (I'm asking because I'm refinishing my bass, and the second coat of stain is drying right now, lol).