mahogany body with a walnut top, color suggestions?

[Jonn]

  okay ive got bunch of 8ft long boards of mahogany to glue together for a body and some walnut tops that are sort of a pinkish, purplish color and was hoping to make a les paul out of them. i want the wood to be colored but still show the grain. i was wondering what color combination would best show off the grain. also what glues to use when i glue the mahogany and the walnut together. this my dad and my first guitar build and we really could use some help.

[Max]

Personally, I feel walnut looks best with an oil finish. It is also an easy finish to do, which is good for a first build.
Mahogany, you could do an oil finish, but you may want to fill the grain first.

I know you said you want a colored guitar, but clear is normally the way to go for walnut.

[jackthehack]

Would help to see pics of the wood in question...

[Jonn]

ill get pics of the wood soon but do u think it would look good if i just gave the mahogany a colored glossy finish but kept the walnut a natural glossy finish?

[Jonn]

here's some pics of the wood and btw im not planning on using all the wood, just enough to make the  body and top

the top 1 is mahogany and the bottom is the walnut

[Max]

With that wood combo, I feel clear will look best.

[Marko]

I agree with the long haired fuzzy one

[Max]

I agree with the long haired fuzzy one

Teehee

[Patrick]

i think an amberish tint would look good on those woods also.
maybe some high quality matte black spray paint? just kidding. dont do that. ever.   

[pabloman]

Ever? uhhohh. My Kryloncaster Rules!!!       Satin nitro or oil definately.

[dNA]

here's some pics of the wood and btw im not planning on using all the wood, just enough to make the  body and top

the top 1 is mahogany and the bottom is the walnut

try wetting them a bit. I can assure you that walnut will look way nicer, and an oil finish will be awesome. But something mild might not hurt. Maybe vintage cherry?

[Cagey]

try wetting them a bit. I can assure you that walnut will look way nicer, and an oil finish will be awesome. But something mild might not hurt. Maybe vintage cherry?

That's a very good suggestion. Rubbing a piece down with isopropyl alcohol is an excellent way to see what a wood will look like with a clear finish. It doesn't raise the grain like water does, but persists long enough before evaporating to let you stare at it for a bit to decide if you're happy. Plus, as a bonus, you get a bit of cleaning out of the deal, taking off handling oils, sanding dust and so forth. Some woods, like walnut and mahogany, produce startling results from that treatment.

[pabloman]

Green dye would be awesome on walnut.

[Cagey]

I think all walnut shoud dye and turn green. Routing and sanding that stuff can make you sneeze yourself bloody.

[Jonn]

that was my original idea! i was going to dye it green but i was told the green would turn out like a vomit color so after that i didn't know what color to use!