Removing acoustic guitar finish?!

  • Thread starter Thread starter shouldershrug
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shouldershrug

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I know there are probably a thousand topics on this, but every case is different... so, heres mine :p :

I've got a garrison gc-300 beautiful guitar, nice looks, really. But, beauty seems to not quite compromise with the sound. It sounds shallow to me as if the sound is more or less trapped in the body and cant really breathe through the wood. Thats why I'm guessing it is the glossy finish of the guitar that does that. I might be wrong though. Can any of you guys tell me what the reason might be and what I could do? I read somewhere else: sand it down and then refinish it with oil or clear sealer. What do you think?...


Thanks guys
 
Please don't do this. I suspect the sound has a lot more to do with the construction than the finish.
 
The best modification you can do to your acoustic guitar is to hours of playing time. It can be surprising how much a guitar will improve just by making it vibrate.

I would be very slow to blame the finish. Most of the great guitars I have ever played were finished glossy. I am not familiar with Garrison guitars so I can't comment on the finish they use or how heavily it's laid on, but I bet that's not your problem. The guy that posted "Please don't do this" was giving you good advice. You are much more likely to ruin the guitar than improve it.
 
For classical guitars, a lot of builders use French polish specifically for that reason. The thought is that the top does not vibrate as much with a heavy finish. I saw one builder recently (David Pace) who builds an arm holder on the side so that your right arm never touches the top.

I seriously doubt that applies to what you are talking about here. I wouldn't fuck with it if I were you. Try new strings and breaking the guitar in as other have said. And if you still don't like it, trade it in for a different guitar.
 
...but if you do decide to go through with it, don't forget that a belt sander will do the job faster than just about any other tool. :)
 
Zaphod B said:
...but if you do decide to go through with it, don't forget that a belt sander will do the job faster than just about any other tool. :)
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And be sure to use one of those coarse garnet belts on it, too. You'll be through that finish in no time!


:D
 
Zaphod B said:
Fuckin' hell, that 40 grit works fast! :laughings:
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Though, if you're really after efficiency, in my (humble) experience nothing can top a shotgun, 45 degree angle, at about five paces. You'll blow through that finish in no time. :D
 
DrewPeterson7 said:
Though, if you're really after efficiency, in my (humble) experience nothing can top a shotgun, 45 degree angle, at about five paces. You'll blow through that finish in no time. :D
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What kind of load do you recommend? :laughings:
 
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