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My first French-polished guitar....It's (Almost) Finished!!!
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Author:  Kathy Matsushita [ Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:  My first French-polished guitar....It's (Almost) Finished!!!
Just another quick video of the final result of my first French-polished guitar attempt:
http://home.comcast.net/~kathymatsushita/retirement/htmlpages/FP3.html

Thanks again, to all of you who helped me with advice on French-polishing....This will definitely not be my last French-polished instrument. I loved doing it!
Author:  Nick Royle [ Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first French-polished guitar....It's (Almost) Finishe
Really beautiful guitar and finish. I very nearly started French Polishing the guitar I'm finishing at the moment (my second), but I was recommended an oil finish by a respected guitar tech I know and, secretly, I was very relieved!

I'm thinking of building a classical next so I may FP that one. May I ask how long it took in total to achieve?
Author:  Kathy Matsushita [ Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first French-polished guitar....It's (Almost) Finishe
Nick Royle wrote:
Really beautiful guitar and finish. I very nearly started French Polishing the guitar I'm finishing at the moment (my second), but I was recommended an oil finish by a respected guitar tech I know and, secretly, I was very relieved!

I'm thinking of building a classical next so I may FP that one. May I ask how long it took in total to achieve?


Thanks, Nick! I worked from June 11th to 19th on it, not every day. If I had done it in consecutive sessions, I would say it took me about 5 days of around 3-4 bodying sessions per day, followed by a day of "glazing" sessions. I did about 16 bodying sessions and 6 "glazing" sessions, total.

Are you doing a Tru-oil finish? I liked doing that finish, too --- I've done it on a couple of instruments --- a classical and a baritone uke.
Author:  Mark Maquillan [ Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first French-polished guitar....It's (Almost) Finishe
Very well done.
Author:  Nick Royle [ Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My first French-polished guitar....It's (Almost) Finishe
Wow, that's quicker than I expected! It looks fantastic, I was worried I'd have to do it for weeks first time.

And, actually, he strongly recommended Liberon Finishing Oil instead, and sold me on it (and leaving the pores open) pretty quickly! He showed me a replica of a 19th century guitar, which had had that treatment, and had quite happily lived out at sea on a boat for years with no signs of any issues.

I'm so glad I went with his advise. Even though I envisaged it with a high gloss, the satin finish is really beautiful and the "client" (my father) actually prefers it. The oiling itself went pretty well. I followed the instructions a little too closely, or simply misunderstood them, so my "light" buffing between coats with 40 steel wool was too light, and actually degraded the finish on the top slightly (wasn't really working in adequate light - schoolboy error). Not bad enough to make me want to fix the issue though! My dad wants to play the thing some more ASAP!

Oh well, my mantra following this build is "the next one will be better in every way".

<------ That's her. I'll put up some proper pics when I've finished completely, the tennis has delayed things by a few days!

Your posts have inspired me on the FP front.
Author:  crich [ Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My first French-polished guitar....It's (Almost) Finishe
Kathy, it sounds wonderful! Very clean and neat work, congrats. I'm inspired to build a Size 5 now. Good job! Clinton
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