Guitar finish (mutt or light maybe)

  • Thread starter Thread starter nate_dennis
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nate_dennis

nate_dennis

Well-known member
How does the thickness of finish affect the sound of a guitar (either acoustic or electric?)

Could my tone be improved by sanding finish off my guitars or is this just a stupid idea?

Thanks.
 
I have a strat that I used to have painted with a thick polyu finish. I took that off and finished it in thin nitro laquar.

There isn't a dimes worth of difference in the sound.

If there is any difference it is miniscule. IMO this thick finish verses thin finish having a large effect on the sound of the guitar is a myth.
 
Yeah think about it.If it made that much of a difference,everyone would be doing it.
 
Absolutely everything you change on a guitar makes a difference. How big it is and whether you can detect is is another matter. You also have to consider whether the difference is better or worse.

There is a huge difference between electric and acoustic instruments on this as well. I wouldn't worry much about what finish on an electric. I do consider carefully what I use on an acoustic instrument. It has to do with the way the sound is generated. With an electric most is the string and the pickup, with the body materials and fittings adding some degree of timbre. On an acoustic instrument the body alone is moving the air so the material properties become far more critical.
 
muttley600 said:
Absolutely everything you change on a guitar makes a difference. How big it is and whether you can detect is is another matter. You also have to consider whether the difference is better or worse.

There is a huge difference between electric and acoustic instruments on this as well. I wouldn't worry much about what finish on an electric. I do consider carefully what I use on an acoustic instrument. It has to do with the way the sound is generated. With an electric most is the string and the pickup, with the body materials and fittings adding some degree of timbre. On an acoustic instrument the body alone is moving the air so the material properties become far more critical.
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Yeah, on acoustics the finish would be a bigger factor in the sound for sure.

My experience with changing finishes on a guitar is limited to electric.
 
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