Staining Update - NO PICS YET.
I have spent a few days trying out stains and techniques.
Using the left over maple and testing how to:
1. Protect the edge to simulate a binding (like PRS). Hard to do as the aniline dyes go under any protective masking tapes. I have just tried protecting the edge with nitrocellulose finish and then will wash black (to bring out the stripes) and colour dyes onto the rest later.
2. Getting the washes and finishes right. I am using techniques from 'Fine Woodworking' and other sources. Hard to get right. My son has another technique of using hot water to open the pores and then sanding back. Looks like it will work.
3. Getting the colour I want. I am trying several black wash strengths and colour strengths. Measuring them out pretty accurately.
I will keep you informed and write up a technique that (hopefully) works.
If I stuff it up, I will put plastic or wood binding on later.
