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I got this guitar, I like the way it sounds, but it's finished in a transparent red, cherry-like poly finish and an ugly photo-flame top. I was thinking about refinishing it in shellac, but then again, I like the neck, and it's already on the thin side. Also, I like the idea of the indestructibility of the finish on the neck. On the other side, a shellac finish can easily be redone if need be. The main reason I would like to use shellac is because it's harmless, it looks good, and some people say it would improve the sound. So my question is, do you believe it would make a difference? The guitar is solid body, but I believe it's heavily weight relieved, because when I tap on it, it sounds hollow on the most part of it, and it definitely sounds different than my other solid body guitars.
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03-23-2018 03:25 PM
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How do you plan to remove the existing finish?
That is a significant part of the project.
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Well, razor and sanding. It has binding on the neck and the body, and I wouldn't like to ruin that with a torch. Chemical stuff is out of question.
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I think it's a bad idea. Poly is very hard and the moment you hit wood in one area of the removal, it's take out the wood really fast; a lot faster than the surrounding poly finish.
Shellac can get tacky in humidity, and check it for reaction with your sweat. I wouldn't expect it to improve the sound, it's not the vibrations of a thin acoustic top we're talking about.
But if you look hard enough on the web, you'll find some that'll think it's a good idea and they'll have ideas of how you might do it. I just know from experience that removing poly is a VERY tough thing to do. Your body wood is made up of thin plies of wood laminated together. Once you've breached the top veneer, it's gonna be butt ugly.
But that's my opinion.
Hope it turns out well
David
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It is a little early for April Fool's Day, aleksandar.
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Perhaps there's a better way to spend many hours of your time ?
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David,
I really wonder about all these inquiries. There is often rash of “yes, do it, it will be wonderful” responses yet essentiallly zero follow up with a happy result.
I assume that you and I have both had to make some repairs work that required some work on polyester and polyurethane finishes. It can be a remarkable adventure.
(and now we might get a link to a Dan Erlewine how-to vid from someone who have never actually pulled off such a repair)
In 1978 I came home to a remarkable smell in the basement. The bass player had decided to re-finish his bass solid body and was frustrated by sanding, so he started burning the finish off.
The effect was notable.
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Originally Posted by TruthHertz
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Originally Posted by ptchristopher3
Refinishing poly.... I'll only say my "miraculous and hopeless projects" bin is full of heartbreak and cast offs from people who tried to refinish poly.
Those are a primary reason I have a right of outright refusal policy.
David
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Oh, well, why not?
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Great, so let’s see the full video of someone removing the entire finish from an instrument this way. I can fast forward as needed, so do not edit, just go to it.
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Loved the special clamping method for fine guitars. I am sure this was meant well by the guy on YouTube but really,...
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Originally Posted by ptchristopher3
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Sanding through a fotoflame ... not good juju there.
The technique I've heard, never done, is warming and peeling the poly. Sure wouldn't want to try it myself.
If you like the way it sounds, make your peace with the way it looks, I say.
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That video is great. The stuff blisters, and coagulates instantly, it curls, burns, smokes, and the bindings melt, the wood burns and there's semi melted globs of god knows what stuck in everiy curve you can't reach. Yeah, more power to him. Also, all polys are not created equally. Some places will come off like butter and other patches will resist until you pass out from the fumes. AND on a arch top, that putty knife is NOT going to be very helpful.
But it's easy enough for me, on my sofa. In my mind I see it clearly. It's REAL easy. Yeah, no problem at all.
David
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Originally Posted by aleksandar
Ibanez refinish projectLast edited by hans halmackenreuter; 03-24-2018 at 06:25 AM.
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Nicely done Hans. And you know as well as anyone just how much time it takes and what care is needed in many places.
Last edited by ptchristopher3; 03-23-2018 at 10:33 PM. Reason: Spelling
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Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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Originally Posted by hans halmackenreuter
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Hofner Canada Custom Shop Gareth Parry Model Verythin Classic #1 and #2(action shot), in reliced catalyzed polyester:
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Originally Posted by aleksandar
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Skip to 3:10 ...
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Originally Posted by Brubra
David
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removing the poly finish on a solid body guitar and replacing it with shellac will not improve any tone that is amplified IMO. You would also be causing more environmental damage by stripping it than just leaving it where it is.
Vintage fuzz on "space" transistors
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