What finish are you using? Just curious...lots of opinions out there 😃 but clearly you've got it knocked.
Discussion
I use a Nitrocellulous finish with a satin top coat. I put it on very thin, only 4-5 coats usually, so it has a vintage like feel and isn’t thick and plasticky feeling like some lacquer finishes can be. The satin polishes up a bit the more you handle and play it but it’s not a mirror gloss like a lot of modern makers use which gets distracting and can cause more friction and that sticky feeling on a neck.
Hmmm...interesting. And I have to agree with you on glossy--really does cause friction.
Am I wrong or can you also "repair" nitrocellulose if it gets scratched more easily?
Bottom line for me is the wood's beauty is part of an instrument's appeal--yes it all imacts the sound, but just looking at the photo you sent what struck me first was the beauty of the wood
I agree! As a former high end furniture maker the beauty of the wood really speaks to me and can be even more appealing than other fancy details.
Nitrocellulous can be fairly easily repaired compared to some other finishes. It's a pretty excellent finish for instruments. I've experimented with a lot of other finishes over the years but keep landing back on Nitro.
Well, your appreciation of the wood itself certainly shows in your Banjos...(one of the immediate draws for me 😃 to your work).
Keep the pics coming