"Ice tea" sunburst

[Bernie Daniel]

This topic came up in passing on another thread but it was within a generic discussion on staining. I would like to ask a question about a specific coloring pattern for application to an F-style mandolin.

Shown in the photo is another member's former Lebeda mandolin. I really like the subdued colors and subtle gradation on this instrument and would like to ask those more familiar with mixing colors how one might proceed with reproducing with effect.

I have about 15 different shads of the water soluble Trans-Fast dyes and about 12 shades of the alcohol-base Trans-Tints (including the a range of browns dark to light and also other colors like amber, red, orange, yellow, and black in each line of dyes.

Of course I will play around with the colors but I'm just curious to know how those more experienced might proceed with this goal. I could do either brush on or spay on if I need to.

I'm actually not too worried about staining the maple back and sides but very apprehensive about the spruce top.

[Timbofood]

On a very “quilty” back it would look like a glass of iced tea! I like the color!

[Ivan Kelsall]

''Former member'' ?? - I'm still here - at least i was a moment ago !. The colour alone of that mandolin almost sold it to me when i went down to TAMCO to choose my first 'good' mandolin - when i played it,it was a no brainer. Immaculate craftsmanship & a lovely warm,full sound.

Is that what is known as an 'iced tea' sunburst ?. I should know the colour - i had enough iced tea over in the US back in 1992 to float an armada !. Lord knows i needed it - the humidity was HIGH - it didn't affect my banjo though !!.( Please write any remarks re.banjos on $100 notes & send 'em over 'cos i'm very,very poor - so's my butler & maid servant !).

Bernie - Thinking about it,i don't think that the colour was done deliberately as a 'burst'. The area close to the edge,which is carved to thin it down ( what's it's name ?),then shows some end grain as you cut through it. I think that the grain simply took on more of the same colour - as end grain tends to do,
Ivan

[Timbofood]

Ivan, he said “Another member’s former mandolin”, not former member’s.
Yep, I bet you did drink a fair bit of iced tea down there, I find I drink a lot when it’s “ugly” hot and humid around here too!
This weekend will see me making up a quart or two.
I was thinking about the very quilty back from the other day, that colour over the quilt would almost look like ice cubes!

[Bernie Daniel]

''Former member'' ?? - I'm still here - at least i was a moment ago !. The colour alone of that mandolin almost sold it to me when i went down to TAMCO to choose my first 'good' mandolin - when i played it,it was a no brainer. Immaculate craftsmanship & a lovely warm,full sound.

Is that what is known as an 'iced tea' sunburst ?. I should know the colour - i had enough iced tea over in the US back in 1992 to float an armada !. Lord knows i needed it - the humidity was HIGH - it didn't affect my banjo though !!.( Please write any remarks re.banjos on $100 notes & send 'em over 'cos i'm very,very poor - so's my butler & maid servant !).

Bernie - Thinking about it,i don't think that the colour was done deliberately as a 'burst'. The area close to the edge,which is carved to thin it down ( what's it's name ?),then shows some end grain as you cut through it. I think that the grain simply took on more of the same colour - as end grain tends to do,
Ivan

Yes I know that you are still here Ivan -- and we are all better off for it too!

You could be right about intentional verus "un-intentional" burst -- but whatever that is the look I would really like to copy.

What would you call that color? Tawny?

[crooksj]

Bernie,
If you think this is similar enough, I can send you the Tans-Tint dyes/ratios used.Was air-brushed, not rubbed.
John

[crooksj]

A brighter photo...

[Drew Streip]

I would have called the original something like "burnt amber" which, if I recall correctly, is one of the new coloring options for Weber. If you Google-image "amber" it's a good match, because it has the depth and complexity of color vs. being a flat finish.

This one is a bit redder, but described as an ice tea burst: http://www.vintagemandolin.com/89fla...890101375.html

On the back, I see it. On the top, it seems more like what Gibson called their Cherry Burst on, say, a Les Paul.

[Bernie Daniel]

Bernie,
If you think this is similar enough, I can send you the Tans-Tint dyes/ratios used.Was air-brushed, not rubbed.
John

Wow that is one beautiful mandolin!!! I agree that is very close color and concept match IMO. Knowing the dyes would be fabulous!!!

[Bernie Daniel]

I would have called the original something like "burnt amber" which, if I recall correctly, is one of the new coloring options for Weber. If you Google-image "amber" it's a good match, because it has the depth and complexity of color vs. being a flat finish.

This one is a bit redder, but described as an ice tea burst: http://www.vintagemandolin.com/89fla...890101375.html

On the back, I see it. On the top, it seems more like what Gibson called their Cherry Burst on, say, a Les Paul.

A little darker for sure but also very close in impression at least if not actual color. It is also nice. The old Gibson cherry burst was nice but I thought they missed the boat by not making it more subtle instead of so "in-your-face". Of course my opinions on colors and lots of other things have changed over the years. I owned a 1960 Hummingbird and a 1973 J-45 and both looked good back in the day but now I see them as just bright. The Flatiron looks much better than those old Gibson cherries.

[jesserules]

Here's some nice photos of an electric guitar in iced tea burst -

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...iced-tea-burst

[crooksj]

I sent you a PM with my "recipe"

[Ivan Kelsall]

From Timothy - " Ivan, he said “Another member’s former mandolin”, not former member’s. " Oooops - Dyslexia rules KO !!,
Ivan

[Ray(T)]

It's all in the DNA Ivan! (Doesn't that stand for the "National Association of Dyslexics"?)

[Davey]

Paul Shippey made this Mandolin for me last year with a pale sunburst at my request. It's spruce top / Maple back and sides.

I have an slightly older one with a Cedar top & they both sound really good but different. The cedar sounds a little warmer with clear piano-like sound and the spruce is more complex, slightly harder with more overtones.

Paul makes great Mandolins.

Sorry I can't actually tell you how it was done !

[CES]

Skip Kelly also makes a beautiful “iced tea” burst. Have it on my A5 he made in February of this year. At work, so no photos for now, but will try to remember to post some tonight. You may try sending him a pm if he doesn’t chime in. Seems to be a great guy in addition to an outstanding and creative luthier...

[Bernie Daniel]

I sent you a PM with my "recipe"

Thanks so much! That was very helpful. You do some incredible work at your shop I must say!

[Skip Kelley]

Bernie, my last mandolin was done with 3 colors. Vintage amber, red mahogany, and then tobacco brown. The amber had a few drops of red mahogany to darken the yellow so it wasn't so bright. The red mahogany I left as is. The tobacco brown, I mixed in a few drops of black. I left the coloring fairly light because I wanted the wood to show real good. The back was highly figured but you can't really tell from my lousy pictures!

[Bernie Daniel]

Bernie, my last mandolin was done with 3 colors. Vintage amber, red mahogany, and then tobacco brown. The amber had a few drops of red mahogany to darken the yellow so it wasn't so bright. The red mahogany I left as is. The tobacco brown, I mixed in a few drops of black. I left the coloring fairly light because I wanted the wood to show real good. The back was highly figured but you can't really tell from my lousy pictures!

Thanks Skip! Lousy pictures? Au contraire mon bonhomme! I had wonderful time going through all of them -- eye candy and beautiful work!

I am assuming the "last mandolin" is shown in the last image (image 112)? I also liked the coloration the mandolin shown in image number 34 a lot. I liked the other bursts also -- the last two F-5 shown below are very attractive to my eye as well. I would probably try to make the colors fainter or more pale for my application but I like the colors.

I am guessing that you apply your tints by wiping? Dissolved in water or alcohol? I'm assuming alcohol as those seem like Trans-Tint colors? How much do you typically dilute the stock dye solution before the application to the wood? Any sealer before starting the dye application?

Thanks again!

Images below are Kelly mandolins:

[Skip Kelley]

Bernie, thanks for the kind words! The colors are all a basic variation of what I mentioned. Some being a little more orange looking in the center than amber. I use alcohol and trans tint dyes. I'll use a very light amber diluted first checking for scratches and then if it's good, I just start wiping my stain on. I wipe the first two colors and then I use an air brush to spray the tobacco brown. I feel I get a better burst this way and have better control of the staining process.

[Skip Kelley]

Bernie, the fourth picture in that group was varnished with some amber varnish from International Violin. It made it look more orange. It really yellowed the binding like the 60's and 70's mandolins!

[Skip Kelley]

Bernie, I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of your mandolin!

[dunwell]

Just taking a WAG the original and yours both look like yellow ground, no red in the center and then Honey Amber in very thin layers for the burst? Am I close?

Never mind didn't read far enough. Very nice touch with the T. Brown, almost not there!!

Alan D.