Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi folks,
Just spent about 6 hours making wood tuner knobs, employing my usual 'work harder, not smarter' guitar building methodology; and now I'm wondering if most folks finish them the same as the guitar body (gloss) or if it's more usual to go with with a simple rubbed oil finish? Thanks.
Gerard

Gerard-
Are these wood knobs for metal tuners or wooden tuning pegs (cello/flamenco style)?

Cheers
John

Hi John,
These are replacement knobs for metal tuners. I've only seen wooden knobs in photos, but never gave a thought before to how they might have been finished. Overall I guess its not real important but just wanted to be sure I was building to code!
Gerard

I'd think you could finish them any way you want, as long as they're protected from the grimy fingers that will be touching them for years.
Unless you want the 'vintage' look right away!

Cheers
John

I personally like them not very glossy, and I also like to be able to see the pores if possible, but maybe that's just me.

_________________
Evan McCartney

Here' what I do.

On tuners I prefer a hand-rubbed oil look. I've been using Minwax Poly Oil which has the look
and feel of danish oil but the protection of polyurethane. It's a very good looking, durable product
and will not react to hand oils, alchohol, water etc.. Works great on furniture too.

4-5 light coats with 1200 grit in between works well for me. You don't want too much finish though
or it will begin to look artificial and plasticy.

Sounds like everyones thinking along the same lines. Wipe on poly sounds like a good idea and I already happen to have some. Thanks for the replies.
Gerard

Or also in agreement with Evan I like the natural look too so you could simply micro-mesh them to a satin finish, leave the pores because after all wood may have pores... and never have to worry about the finish wearing off. Lots of examples of musical instruments with unfinished wood as tuners/pegs.

I use canning wax on F/B's, bridges and buttons and have for years. Rub a block on the wood and polish with a cloth. Works great.

http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproduc ... nt+Buttons

Here is a link for LMI who has gotoh wood replacement buttons. If you want to look at other one before you finish yours. I second the micromesh.