Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi folks,
Have you ever heard about a new KTM lacquer in the familly ?
I've heard about something that could be KTM T2009 or 10.
In their Web I can find "TEN by KTM!"
But their web site just mentions it in the menu, and the page seems to be blank..

Just heard here in France it could be even better than SV for instrument makers !
any experience so far ?
Thanks,

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Christophe Mineau
Let's make chips ! - http://www.labellenote.fr

I have only done a few test pieces, but so far it is encouraging. There are a few folks who,have finished guitars with it. You,could contact grafted coatings to,see if they have any more samples available....

Have you ever noticed that the standard answer on all this water based stuff is - " so far it's encouraging". It kind of reminds me of the phase " good substitute for Brazilian Rosewood" any time a new tonewood is introduced.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

From what I've read, people have tested it with good results but it's still not available.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I talked to Grafted Coatings in June inquiring about the release date. They are just waiting for more feedback from the people who bought the test batch.

Particularly, they are interested in adhesion compatibility. So if you got some, please contact them and let them know your experience!

Yes, I need to get onto that....

Thanks for the answers.
I have a friend here in France who had a sample for test and was happy with it. Will check if he has reported his comments.
Jim, I think the KTM-SV is now far from being a simple substitue.
I would say it is the finish that lots of people were waiting for, for a long time and lots have now definitively given up the PU and other hazardous solvent based finishes.

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Christophe Mineau
Let's make chips ! - http://www.labellenote.fr

I contacted them in spring asking how things were going and was told KTM10 still in testing phase, if you subscribe to newsletter it will be announced there if and when it goes into production.

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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.

I'm keeping a sharp eye on this, because I will soon have no choice but to go waterborne. I like solvent lacquers -- I'm properly set up to use the stuff and feel comfortable. But, the supply I brought to Kenya with our household effects ain't gonna last forever. I've already confirmed that there is no replacement here in Kenya, so waterborne is the only way transport finish materials to my shop. I really hope this new KTM stuff will be a bona fide challenger to lacquer.

I heard the Kenya airport terminal burned down...

So nobody has nitrocellulose lacquer in Kenya? What do they use for finishing??

I can't say I like any of the waterbased stuff... maybe technology has improved but so far all I see is stuff that's soft and gummy. Have you ever thought of french polishing? I'm starting to fall in love with it because it requires no equipment.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Well, have you ever tried the ktm sv ?
The other finish I really like is the true oil.
French polishing is a bit long and tricky, but never tried so far on instruments because im happy with the ktm!

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Christophe Mineau
Let's make chips ! - http://www.labellenote.fr

Maybe its psychological but I felt French Polish is something that just looks "high end"... everything else, be it nitrocellulose or whatever just looks plastic coated. Well maybe not nitro but even Taylor looks plastic coated.

I mean if you're not doing it for a living then might as well French Polish the thing... sure it takes time but finishing is never about quick and easy when it comes to guitars.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Hmmm......is finishing ever about protection? That's the weakness of French polish.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Yes, the arrivals area of the international terminal was gutted a few weeks ago, so flying in and out of Nairobi is even less pleasant than usual. There is another terminal facility nearing completion, but in the meantime passengers are ushered into tents for pre-boarding and pick up their baggage off the ground.


Not that I've found. Wood finishes seem to be oil-based varnishes or water-based, and I've been talking with senior reps from Kenyan paint companies.
Come to think of it, I never saw clear nitro in New Zealand either. Virtually every kiwi maker I know is using products from Mirotone, but their nitro is only available with pigment. Most are using a gloss or satin single-pack pre-catalysed lacquer, but use it exactly as your would nitro. (And I have a small supply that somehow found its way into our shipping container.)[/quote]


I'm not too keen on French polish for my steel strings, but I have a classical build under way and expect to try my hand at FP on that.

I've done french polished steel string... not conventional but it holds up fine provided you don't spill beer on it.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

That would be an instant fail around these parts