Cherry Mandolin color suggestions

[Charlie Smartt]

Hello builders. This is my 17th build that I am experimenting with wild cherry and Adirondack spruce top. What would you suggest a color scheme? I am thinking of possibly finishing the cherry natural. If so, what would be the suggestions for the top color? Any other suggestions on the cherry?

Charlie

[Mando Tristan]

I might put a lite red finish on the spruce to match the cherry. Although it looks good the way it is now in the white, so maybe just leave it blonde.

[Ed Goist]

Hi Charlie:
Jason Harshbarger of Highland Strings built one of his 2-Point Orpheus mandolins for me with a blacktop Engelmann Spruce soundboard and Cherry back, sides and neck with a natural finish.
Jason used oil varnish for the finish, and it imparted a beautiful (IMO) deep amber to the Cherry.
I think the blacktop over the natural finish is a great combination.
Here are some pics of 'The Raven':

[Bob Clark]

Hi Charlie,

I'm with Ed on this one. I wasn't able to open pictures in his "The Raven" link, but could see pictures of the mando he's talking about in his "Current Cast of Characters." The cherry and black combination is stunning. I'd give it some thought if I were you.

[Ed Goist]

Thanks Bob. I just replaced the uncooperative link in my post with some in-line pics.

[Patrick Hanna]

Your woods are quite beautiful just as they are. Of course, no one can make the ultimate decision but you. You just need to look at every instrument you can find (google is your friend in this quest) and see what appeals to you. Your cherry will darken on its own--even under finish. If you'd like to warm up that top a bit, you could try a sealer coat of shellac under your finish, or you could varnish it and that would give it a warm amber glow. Or you could shoot a lightly tinted coat of lacquer with some vintage amber color added. Lots of ways to approach it. But first, you really need to consider all possible color combos and see what appeals to YOU. I think a lightly applied coat of shellac sealer would warm things up and knock your eyes out. And...if you don't like it, you can sand it away and try something else.

Shoot some on scraps of your woods and see how you like them first. Then attack that nice mando.

Patrick

[Ivan Kelsall]

I have to agree with Mando Tristan.The woods as they are look beautiful.I'd finish it with as natural a finish as you can get,bearing in mind that it will darken when you apply any top finish.Your build quality look pretty good to me as well - superb work,
Ivan

[Tavy]

Charlie - I think I would go natural for the top. I think for the sides you're going to have to experiment on some scraps - it does look pretty nice as it is though.

This isn't cherry but walnut (think mud-brown in the white), with a thin red color wash over the top, might give you some ideas though:

[billhay4]

While Ed's instrument is beautiful, I'd leave that top natural. It's too pretty to cover up and will make a nice contrast to the cherry. For the cherry, I'd brown or redden it very slightly, but that' all.
IMHO.
Bill

[Ed Goist]

Thanks Bill, and I agree, I think all natural would look great too.
Charlie; that's a beautiful instrument...Hard to go wrong.
Let us know what you decide on.

[Bernie Daniel]

Well this might sound "off the wall" but if it were being built for me I would request a deep reddish stain for the cherry back and sides and a cherry sunburst like a Gibson Hummingbird guitar on the spruce top. I also think as was mentioned by Bill, a reddish hue for the cherry and natural for the spruce would be eye-catching. However, I hope you post the final image and a sound file of it.

[pfox14]

I'd go with all natural. Looks too pretty just the way it is. I don't care for the black top with stained brown sides.

[victor seal]

I would try it wuth a light coat of clear and see how you like it. The cherry will darken to a sorta burgandy color. I have built several fiddles with cherry bsn with a spruce top. All were finished natural with the exception of one that I used a red-brown varnish. While that one was purdy, it wasn't the eye-popper that thew natural ones are. I am going to try to post pics of one of the natural cherry fiddles. Here goes.

[Ken]

Here is one with the cherry left unstained, but with the top toned slightly. The pics are from shortly after it was finished in '03. It stays in its case when I'm not playing it so neither the spruce or cherry has darkened from UV, although I think it would be pretty handsome if they did.

[the padma]

@ Ken and Ed ~ nice cravings ...very nice indeed.

@ Charlie ~ pink is a nice colour...just saying.


blessings

[Ed Goist]

Thanks Padma, but I'm just the luck owner.
The builder is Jason Harshbarger of Highland Strings Instruments.

[Charlie Smartt]

Hello all,
I am finally getting some pictures up of the #17 cherry build. After much consideration I elected to go with a natural finish on the cherry back and sides. The maple neck does have a cherry stain to blend and the top has light aging toner with all finished in lacquer. I appreciate all the input and wanted to follow up.

Charlie

[picker123]

Great choice.That's one beautiful ax.

[David Rambo]

I agree. You made the same decision as many of us liked. It should only grow more beautiful as it "grows up."

[Tavy]

Beautiful!

[belbein]

I'm with Padma, Ken. I love the carvings (and the natural color). Will you post more pix?

[Ken]

Thanks belbein,
non-traditional, but works for me. Below are urls to some of the earlier pictures I've posted of it, let me know if you have any trouble getting them to show.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...476#post562476

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...700#post228700

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...9803#post49803

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...9730#post49730

[Tommando]

Hi Charlie.
This is a gorgeous. Did you seal the cherry wood?

[Charlie Smartt]

Hi Tom
Sorry for the delay to your question, the cherry was sealed with BEHLEM Vinyl sealer.
Thanks Charlie