Open-pore finish

A finish that leaves the wood's grain unfilled, left as texture rather than hidden under a gloss.

Most hardwoods used for bodies have open pores that must be filled with paste before a gloss finish will lie flat, and an open-pore finish deliberately skips that step. The result is a surface that can be felt: the grain lines sit slightly below the film and catch the light instead of a mirror sheen. It is commonly described as leaving a body that still sounds lively, since the film is thin and the filler that would otherwise sit in the pores is not there. It is quicker and cheaper to produce, but it collects dirt in the pores, is harder to clean, and a grain filler cannot be added later without refinishing.

Example: An open-pore satin body on a mid-priced instrument has a dry, tactile finish that shows the grain even in flat lighting.

typical use: Bodies and necks, especially on mid-priced instruments with visible grain.

Open-pore finish

See also