Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Folks,
A few months ago I was asked to donate a guitar to help in fund raising for the Charlottesville Free Clinic (a free medical facility for the needy in central VA). I gladly donated a guitar and come to find out the fundraising people at the clinic brought the guitar down to the Charlottesville Pavilion during the concert season and had Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, and Terri Allard autograph the guitar(I didn't know any of this until last week). Anyway, I was asked what the best way is to preserve the autographs to which I replied "I have no clue". The finish is FP and they appear to have used permanent marker for the autographs. I'm thinking they should just leave it alone but if anyone has any thoughts I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks,
Steve

Maybe some other guys have ideas, but everything I ever tried smeared the ink.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

how about spraying shellac ? just a guess - I never tried it -

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

Frank Ford covers it on Frets.com

Protecting A Celebrity Signature - FRETS.COM

Hope this helps!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Did they use a Sharpie? Hard to know for sure, but those definately dissolve in alcohol. That's why they are used in labs, you can write on glass such as a beaker, then easily clean the writing off when you are done. So if a Sharpie was used, be very careful not to put too much on the signatures, or they just might smear.

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Phil

http://www.oleninstruments.com

"Those who tilt at windmills are only considered insane by those who can't see the dragon."

What about a clear pickguard?

That Frets article seems to be a good way to go but if you're thinking of covering it with something other than a finish they make UV blocking vinyl film for windows.. Would protect it if it's a sharpie because they do fade.. Don't know if the vinyl would be safe on the finish? Maybe layer it on a clear pickguard material?

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CVT Inc.
A tour of our shop (Somewhat outdated)
My Personal eBay profile. BCWoodBug

Steve- kudos for donating a guitar!
If it's a fund raiser, I assume they will sell the guitar?
If so, why they would be concerned?
I'd be afraid of bunging up the finish or the signatures, and would just let it be.

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