Acoustic Guitar Construction

it can look like furniture

I agree, for that reason I believe the Oaks look best with some sort of extreme color stain or dye like bright red. Browns and naturals do tend to look like an old roll top desk.

I like the looks of all the above, but that Arts and Crafts Martin at the top is really nice.

Even a little red should go a long way in avoiding the furniture look, if that is one's goal. Stickley and company used ammonia vapors for coloring, and they never seemed to generate a red cast of any kind.

I have a book on traditional finishing techniques (nothing sprayed on, in other words) and fuming with ammonia has struck me as a possibility.

The top guitar picture is amazing

It was also fun to the THE John Arnold performing on his Oak guitar. He actually has 3 youtube vids from that same concert.

Dave,

From what I understand, ammonia vapors are extremely toxic. I'm sure you will be very careful if you do it. And if you do, let us know how you protect yourself. Also as I understand it, fuming is a final step, after all sanding is complete. Presumably, it would not affect any other species except the oak.

The visual success of the Martin everyone loves seems, to me, to depend mostly upon the inherent beauty of that specific piece of wood, helped along by the finish. Of course, that is true of many guitars that look stunning.