Stain Color

Send an email to the Guitar ReRanch and ask what they recommend. They have lacquer (or alcohol) reduced wood dyes that should get close.

http://home.flash.net/~guitars/

Woodburst.com sells many types of colored stains. Maybe something they have will do what you're looking for.

Keep in mind that some wood stains are not compatible with lacquer-based clear coats. If you're going to use a poly finish, it won't matter. If you're going to use lacquer, I'd go with a dye product to be safe.

Any wood store, such as Woodcraft, should be able to help you out. The Gibson SG is made out of mahogany, so if the guitar you are staining ISN'T mahogany, you'll have to match the color. If the guitar IS mahogany, I think you would do ok with a standard mahogany-colored stain.

I recommend that you use Nitro-lacquer as a top coat. It is soft and allows the guitar to breath. Also, better feeling than poly or other "plasticy" type finishes. And, finally, it is easy to apply as the lacquer will easily sand to a smooth finish (ie, you can literally brush it on, and then sand out the brush-stokes, etc once dry).

I may be wrong, but doesn't the SG Special come without any clear top coat? That is how they get the "faded" look, right?

It does look that way but you guys are the experts. What do you think????

It may be tinted tung or linseed oil -- certainly does not feel like nitro (or poly).

I'm actually going to be using a mahogany body and neck and was considering using the tung oil but didn't even know they made a tinted version. I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

The faded SG is just a stained mahogany body. No top coat. I don't believe they used ANY topcoat other than just the stain.

I think you are right, Dali. I checked on out & inspected the finish at Guitar Center this weekend. I think it is just a stain on mahogany.