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| FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=33549 |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
I know most decent steel string guitar are either lacquered or UV/2K cleared, but does any professional luthier (who gets paid commissions) do french polish on a steel string guitar? It just occurred to me that while lacquering looks nice and all, it kinda requires a bit of a setup other than a good gun and compressor. You also need a booth or area with lots of ventilation, not to mention the stuff isn't good for the environment and your health. Then again I would think if someone is paying over 3000 dollars on a guitar they're more likely to properly care for the instrument anyways. Shellac is a natural finish, and the only possibly harmful substance you might use would be the alcohol, which in terms of the environmental impact it's pretty harmless. In addition it requires no equipment other than some cotton rags and shellac. While I'm at it, would anyone go for a french polished electric guitar...? |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
Quote: I know most decent steel string guitar are either lacquered or UV/2K cleared, but does any professional luthier (who gets paid commissions) do french polish on a steel string guitar? .....not to mention the stuff isn't good for the environment and your health. In answer to your first question, yes. In answer to your statement, not quite. |
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| Author: | JSDenvir [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
I believe David Wren, who posts here occasionally, french polishes his guitars. |
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| Author: | Dave Livermore [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:43 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
Nothing wrong per se. There are some very hard shellacs out there that may rival nitro for hardness (after all if it's durable enough for hardwood floors, it's probably durable enough for a guitar.) Button lac comes to mind. It is extremely easy to fix if damaged and it will get damaged if it gets heavy use. It just isn't traditional. There are some builders who will do an FP on the top and nitro everywhere else. That said, if you're building an instrument to be hung on a wall, it is just great. But if the instrument is going to be used regularly, I don't think I'd do it (again.) The one fp steel string I've done, is now my absolute favorite stage instrument, BUT the finish is so beat up I'm embarrassed to tell anyone I built it. Everything about the set up, tone, etc... rocks. But the shellac didn't hold up to the rigors of my playing. That's just my experience with it. Dave |
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| Author: | JJ Donohue [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
My personal guitars are French Polished. So far, I've had only one customer who specified FP...an SJ. The more people know of the pros and cons the more informed their choices can be. I'd hesitate to FP an electric because of the abuse the finish takes from those frenetic rockers. |
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| Author: | Mark Groza [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
I french polish alot of my steel string guitars. The rest get nitro.They both are easy to fix if they need it in the future. I also do both on the same guitar(top FP and nitro B&S) for better tone. I don't see any reason to French polish an electric guitar as the difference in tone wouldn't be that great , so they get the nitro because of the durability factor. |
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| Author: | alan stassforth [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
Varnish is nice. You could brush it on. I wonder if brushing/polishing varnish would take as long as french polishing......... Anybody know? |
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| Author: | Tai Fu [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
I was just thinking a lot of luthiers french polish nylon string guitars, because most classical players demand it from a high quality instrument, but what is the difference between a nylon string and a steel string in terms of the amount of abuse they are expected to receive? I would think that anyone spending a good deal of money on guitars would take care of them anyways. |
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| Author: | David Newton [ Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
I only build steel string guitars, and I only french polish shellac, so I guess "yes". I choose FPS for several reasons, personal health being one, and I don't send my guitars out for finish. I'm sure I've lost sales to tire kickers who mark down "french polish - no" but my own guitar is FP, I sure don't baby it, it is scratched up, and it plays and sounds great. I have yet to have a person who bought a guitar complain later about the finish, and I haven't had any back for a refinish, though I would welcome it. Also, I do a very "thick" FP build up, but I don't know how to measure the thickness. |
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| Author: | banjopicks [ Sun Sep 18, 2011 7:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
I sure wish I felt more comfortable with the durability issue. FP was my first choice on my first mandolin and it turned out to be the most enjoyable process of all that I've tried since. Although spraying water-borne right in my house without fear of explosion is pretty satisfying also. Finishing 
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| Author: | jfmckenna [ Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: FP steel string guitar, any thoughts? |
alan stassforth wrote: Varnish is nice. You could brush it on. I wonder if brushing/polishing varnish would take as long as french polishing......... Anybody know? I varnished one guitar once and I swear it took like 3 months before the finish was ready for a polish. I'm sure their are faster drying varnishes out there but my advice would be to find one that states it's drying time clearly on the label. |
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