Official Luthiers Forum!

Considering single coat on sides (with tape reinf.), bracing (per Bogdanovich??), exposed end grain(heel) and back. Hesitant to seal lutz spruce soundboard...

side/back wood is figured walnut, bracing is spruce.

Comments???? TIA

Doug, Ervin Somogyi talks about this topic. What he does is to seal the inside of the guitar with one coat of shellac. I don't think that includes the top, though. I never thought whether that included the braces but I can't see why that would be much of a problem. One of the more advanced sound technicians may want to comment on that, though.

Doug-
If you search around you will get comments 'all over the map' on this one.
Most of the 'cons' seem to center on the perceived problems with repair, though I'm not convinced on that if the coating is shellac, and very light.

http://www.delcamp.us/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=29688&p=302133
http://www.delcamp.us/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=48100&p=518225&hilit=coating
http://www.delcamp.us/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=48235&p=519711

BTW, the soundboard coating makes the most sense to me. If you think that shellac is detrimental to the soundboard, then it would be logical to leave the top totally unfinished.....
What's the rationale -aside from cosmetics-for coating braces?

Cheers
John

John and Randolph- thanks for the replies....

Delcamp discussions show varied opinions......and I forgot Somogyi writes of it...will re-read tonight..thanks.

John-I'm hesitant to seal the inside soundboard as it might restrict movement (albeit minor).

But, I build in a higher humidity/lo temp. (N.coast Cal.) and sealing the wood seems like inexpensive insurance from high/lo humidity swings....so the soundboard option rear its' head.....?

Maybe it's an 'all or none' option so that all or none of the wood expands/contracts with environmental swings......

I used shellac on the inside of one but there is the need to "paint" on shellac near the linings after the box is closed and it is hard to blend this in with everything else. I also note that the shellac tends to collect dust in it and it is hard to keep clean. This is so distracting that I don't think I will do it again. I do, however, put several coats of shellac on the "head block" or "Spanish foot" inside of the guitar. With ideas like these I tend to look at older instruments. Many many guitars are doing just fine without finish inside and have been doing fine for a very long time. Still, every little thing does count when you add it all up maybe a coat of shellac on the inside of an instrument will vault it into the "fantastic" category!

It certainly cannot hurt in my opinion.

_________________
http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

Stephen and Phillipo-thanks for the comments....I'm ready to close box tomorrow aft...and chose to seal sides ( with bias tape and LMI white) and back.
Stephen-comment noted regarding need to brush corners..and other helpful comments.
Phillipo-thanks for the link...good discussion..I'm going for the 'environmental (RH/Temp) dampening' effects of sealing this figured walnut..but not seal soundboard....?..agreed opinions vary (as do guitars and builders!!!). Also, your new 37 Hauser looks unreal!!!!

I have enjoyed seeing your (both) guitars here on OLF.....maybe I'll get my camera connected sometime. .

Ready to close box tomorrow aft.!!! ..