French polish
A finish of shellac applied in many thin coats with a pad, the traditional finish of classical guitars.
French polishing is a technique rather than a material: shellac dissolved in alcohol is applied in dozens of very thin coats with a rubber, each burnished into the last until the surface is glassy. Because the film is extremely thin and shellac is hard but flexible, the soundboard is barely restricted. It is commonly described as one of the most transparent finishes available, letting a lightly built acoustic body resonate freely, which is why classical and some high-end steel-string makers still use it. The drawbacks are substantial: it is slow, skilled work, it offers poor protection against alcohol, sweat and heat, and it damages easily.
Example: A concert classical guitar in French polish rings noticeably more freely than the same instrument under a thick factory lacquer.
typical use: Soundboards, backs and sides of classical and high-end acoustic guitars.
See also
Related
- PageClassical guitar
- PageSoundboard
- PageThin-skin finish
- PageAdirondack spruce
- PageAfrican blackwood
- PageAfrican mahogany
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley