Shellac ----- best of both worlds?

[ken cierp]

Here's something for all to ponder

Shellac can be applied via spray in a fraction of the time it takes to apply with a pad (French polish technique/process).

And it can subsequently can be leveled easily and polished to an extremely high gloss. So would the padded shellac vs sprayed shellac sound different? Makes you wonder doesn't it?

[Shawn Hoover]

Seems like applying with the pad would get you to gloss with the absolute minimum material on the instrument. You work thin and evenly but always watch and subtly build up any dull spots. When it's built evenly you're done. Whereas spraying and sanding seems less precise, building more material as a hedge against sanding through, and perhaps not taking it down to even thinness. This would result in more finish mass. How much? What effect on tone? Beats me.

But, yes, you can have both worlds. Spray a few coats to get a level build, then switch to the pad.

[ken cierp]

This would result in more finish mass. How much? What effect on tone? Beats me.

Exactly --- build it light, build it tight and you'll have a nice sounding instrument. But than again, I played a really heavy Eric Clapton OM and to me it sounded fabulous.

So maybe the extra mass (if that is true?) would make the guitar sound better than it would without it? But better than what or who's, which one? Who says? In what studio or what venue? Or you could increase the string set tension and the mass could easily be overcome?

check out my last post in this thread
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1931&start=10