[Derek D]

Does anyone know what type of wood was used for the dark inlayed striping in the 16/116/118/144/630/etc. Tombstones? Also, were the fronts of those models Walnut?

[Doug Houston]

On he stripe inlays, my guess will be ebony. The panels were walnut veneered with some more decorative combinations, such as V-matching the grain. The sides of the cabinets were a "whitewood", such as poplar, gum, or basswood. In general, the panels will stain well, if you are doing a complete refinish. I have a 620, where the walnut stained to a kind of dishwater drab grayish....yech. After a sealer coat, I used a coat or two of tinted lacquer, and got some color into it, and it looks fine now.

The sides, especially the shouldered tombstones are shot with a sealer clear coat, then lay on successive tinted lacquer coats as necessary to get the color, then finish with a clear coat or two.

[Derek D]

Thanks Doug. I was guessing it was probably ebony. I appreciate the refinishing tips too.

Derek