Brown Gibson tops

[Br1ck]

One of my favorite vintage Gibson looks is a Sheraton brown top which I guess was a common color on the cheaper jrs and As. The look I like typically has a wide grain that looks like the dye soaked up along the grain causing almost a two tone look. Is this a factor of age, or were they like that new? Can this be duplicated in a new finish?

[Spruce]

Can this be duplicated in a new finish?

Yep, I think so...
No builder comes readily to mind, but I know I've seen similar modern finishes...

[sunburst]

Yes, Sheriton brown can be recreated. The darker color between grain lines, commonly called grain reversal, is the result of hand rubbing the color on bare wood.

[Spruce]

Yes, Sheriton brown can be recreated. The darker color between grain lines, commonly called grain reversal, is the result of hand rubbing the color on bare wood.

...and I would intentionally choose wide-grained compression wood to match what you see in a lot of the originals...

[William Smith]

...and I would intentionally choose wide-grained compression wood to match what you see in a lot of the originals...

I agree them wide grain tops well look topps! They really pop with that brown finish

[Timbofood]

There you go, Bruce can supply the proper example of material, and John can do the color reproduction!
I am also quite fond of the "Sheraton Brown" look!

[Capt. E]

See my 1919 A-2 in my gallery

[MarkELynch]

Here is a photo of one of the Gibson DY’s (Army Navy Special) mandolins in the Collection, the other is from the same 1920 FON batch 11346 but has more normal grain. It plays and sounds great although without the power of a carved top instrument. The curved wide grain pattern always makes me chuckle a bit. At a glance it looks like the top wood is just one level above “cigar box” but it hasn’t affected the strength or sound.

Best Regards,
Mark

[dhergert]

So here's a question... Is this the same as the Vintage Brown finish that Gibson used on the first generation F-9s?

[rcc56]

So here's a question... Is this the same as the Vintage Brown finish that Gibson used on the first generation F-9s?

No, it is not. Sheraton Brown is a rich coffee color rather than a dark tan.

As to the original post, Sheraton Brown can be easily reproduced with aniline dyes, as can many of the prewar Gibson colors.

[Capt. E]

You can really see the grain in this photo of my 1919 A-2. Adde
d an armrest a modern bridge.

[sunburst]

...Sheraton Brown can be easily reproduced with aniline dyes...

It can be reproduced with other dyes also. I mixed Transtint dyes to go from here:

...to here.

[Timbofood]

I stand by my post #6! John has just confirmed my faith in his capability to recreate/restore that finish quality.