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I am wanting to explore the idea of a simple, quick finish that I can use as an alternative to the full gloss I currently offer. It could be sprayed or applied by hand... maybe even open pore. I am thinking satin or semi-gloss. The idea is to be able to offer a cheaper alternative that protects the guitar but isn't as flashy as a full gloss. I am looking for something with more protection than an oil finish, but less work/time than a full gloss finish. Any suggestions/experience?

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
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If you have a decent spray gun most satin lacquers will give an acceptable "off the gun" finish. You can do fewer coats as you are not removing any finish.

I really like Minwax Wipe on Polyurethane. It takes 2 days to do 6 or 7 coats light sanding with 400 grit between every couple of coats. The other Satin that I've had good luck with is Enduro-var. You can do three coats in one day and your done. It takes a bit to learn the spray settings, no worse than any other new product, pay close attention to the temperature and humidity recommendations. As Clay stated, lacquer will work very well also. Three coats is all you need. On your last coat replace 1/2 of your thinner with acetone and your finish will lay down very nicely. All three will give ample protection to your instruments.

Steve

I've had very good results with Watco Satin in rattle cans -- last coat self leveling, no buffing or polishing. Here's a Black Walnut tenor uke no pore filler.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Enduro Var.
This one's the flat, straight from the gun, no pore fill, but Z-epoxy on the neck only.
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=47792

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Flat --- nice, I'm going to give that a try.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I've had trouble finding the flat from the usual suspects (woodcraft, rockler, etc...). I called a few of the distributors on the GF website but no-one had it. I found it on Amazon. I'm wondering where you are getting it?

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Tru-oil?

kyllä = yes
hyvää huomenta = good morning
ei = no
kiitos = thanks

Was there an instrument building question here?

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

Perhaps you fired off a reply before you read all the post? -

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

+1 for wipe on poly.

Näen mitä teit siellä. . .

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Sinun ei pitäisi rohkaista minun käyttäytyminen !

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

"I've had trouble finding the flat from the usual suspects (woodcraft, rockler, etc...). I called a few of the distributors on the GF website but no-one had it. I found it on Amazon. I'm wondering where you are getting it?"

You can also add "flatting" agents (usually silica) to regular lacquer to make it "flat". The silica particles scatter and disperse the light that hits the finish.