The pictures you've referenced are a way of getting a preview of what the wood will look more like when finished. We wipe acetone over the wood, which before it evaporates, gets a close approximation of the final look. It also cleans away dust from sawing, sanding or just sitting around. Naptha can also be used. I've seen a wood supplier use it, but we've always used acetone.
Not all Coco Bolo is the same. A quick look through the
Custom Archives or the Club
Showcase will show all sorts of grain and color. Our typical Coco Bolo is an orangish-red color with dark brown grain. But we've had pieces that were so dark they look almost like Ebony and stuff that could be mistaken for Padauk, totally absent of the dark grain and bright orange.
Brad, I don't remember us ever spraying an amber tint on Coco Bolo, but my gut feeling is that it won't enhance the grain or color Coco Bolo much at all. It will make the Maple components of the bass less white and more of an aged-yellow. The fact that is it painted and glossy makes the colors and grain pop while an oil finish like
Bob's will look closer to the raw wood.
A satin finish like this
1985 Distillate is the same paint we use today, but rubbed out to a satin finish. This is something I'm not crazy about doing on any dark wood these days, as I think the wood is always enhanced by the glossy finish. Plus, the extra fine scratches that create the satin finish collect oil from your hands and make the bass look kinda smeary. The 1985 bass I linked to above would have more intense color and grain with a gloss finish.
(Message edited by mica on June 13, 2005)
