Refinishing - effects on tone

[Ian Price]

Over the last few months I've removed quite a lot of the finish from the neck of my Baja. It could just be me imagining that it has made the acoustic tone of the guitar more lively/vibrant but I'm certain that it has improved it.

Would a similar improvement be heard if I ever decided to either a) get the body refinished (and have nitro rather than poly) or b) just remove all of the existing finish and oil the body (not that likely as I reckon the grain is quite bland).

I love how the guitar feels now that I have nearly sorted the neck - juts looking for further improvement if possible.

Also - this guitar is a keeper so I'm not fussed about any impact on value!

[Twinfan]

Just the fact that you're playing it may be the reason it's opened up - I've had electrics that have done that, like an acoustic does.

Personally, I'd leave it as it is and play the snot out of it!  :lol:

[Ian Price]

Maybe - I haven't really played it that much though, perhaps it's more of a placebo like effect.

If I ever did get a refinish I think I would have to go for some sort of red sparkle 

[Twinfan]

Good choice!  ;)

Let me know if you want me to bring it down your way sometime...

[HTH AMPS]

talking of instruments opening up, I don't think my mandolin had seen much use when I got it and recently the tone has really settled, its nowhere near as stiff sounding.

[Philly Q]

Would a similar improvement be heard if I ever decided to either a) get the body refinished (and have nitro rather than poly) or b) just remove all of the existing finish and oil the body (not that likely as I reckon the grain is quite bland).

I'm not sure I've ever been convinced by the "nitro better than poly" thing, although I do like the look and feel of nitro finishes.

But I am prepared to believe that a thin finish is preferable to a thick one.  Some older Fenders - and maybe new ones too - have a thick coat of "plastic" with thick poly over the top.  I'm not sure about the Baja but it does seem like a pretty thick finish.  That must act as some kind of "blanket" to deaden the resonance and affect the tone.

I've never quite been brave enough to try an oil finish - I like the idea but part of me isn't so keen on the guitar getting all grubby over time.  And I do like a bit of colour on a guitar!

 

[Frank]

I've never really thought that playing a guitar changes it that much, I suspect it's a psychological thing where as you play the guitar more, you subconciously find out more about the innate tone and realise how to use that tone the way you want.

Maybe. I don't know. Nice weather recently.

[juansolo]

Would a similar improvement be heard if I ever decided to either a) get the body refinished (and have nitro rather than poly) or b) just remove all of the existing finish and oil the body (not that likely as I reckon the grain is quite bland).

I'm not sure I've ever been convinced by the "nitro better than poly" thing, although I do like the look and feel of nitro finishes.

But I am prepared to believe that a thin finish is preferable to a thick one.  Some older Fenders - and maybe new ones too - have a thick coat of "plastic" with thick poly over the top.  I'm not sure about the Baja but it does seem like a pretty thick finish.  That must act as some kind of "blanket" to deaden the resonance and affect the tone.

I've never quite been brave enough to try an oil finish - I like the idea but part of me isn't so keen on the guitar getting all grubby over time.  And I do like a bit of colour on a guitar!

My badger has a nice big chip in the back of it and I can tell you, the poly finish is thick.

I'd be interested to see how Ian gets on with a re-finish. Personally, I'd like to take mine back and have it re-finished blonde (as it is) but with nitro, to be more like a 50's blackguard. I suspect it'd be prohibitively expensive and messy to do though, so shan't bother.

[Ian Price]

Let me know if you want me to bring it down your way sometime...

I like the sound of this but it could be dangerous!

[Ian Price]

Some older Fenders - and maybe new ones too - have a thick coat of "plastic" with thick poly over the top.  I'm not sure about the Baja but it does seem like a pretty thick finish.  That must act as some kind of "blanket" to deaden the resonance and affect the tone.

I can say from experience that my mid 70s Tele had a very thick finish. Very thick indeed.

My badger has a nice big chip in the back of it and I can tell you, the poly finish is thick.

I'd be interested to see how Ian gets on with a re-finish. Personally, I'd like to take mine back and have it re-finished blonde (as it is) but with nitro, to be more like a 50's blackguard. I suspect it'd be prohibitively expensive and messy to do though, so shan't bother.

yeah - I reckon my Baja has a thick finish. It certainly feels thick.

Don't hold your breath on me getting round to doing something as I'm notoriously slow at doing stuff like this! Cost will also be an issue as I suspect a nitro finish would be expensive - not sure about the messy part though as I would have nothing to do with it other than placing an order!

[Twinfan]

It will be cheaper/easier to buy a replacement body and sell the Badger one on eBay to recoup costs.  The guy who sells relic ones on US eBay would be my first port of call...

[Ian Price]

It will be cheaper/easier to buy a replacement body and sell the Badger one on eBay to recoup costs.  The guy who sells relic ones on US eBay would be my first port of call...

Which Guy is this Dave?

[AndyR]

I don't know about stripping a body - I've done it several times, and I don't think I'd like to say one way or t'other whether the tone changed.

But I can say that stripping the lacquer off the back of a neck does indeed have an effect - much like you describe. I did it to a CIJ strat without taking the neck or strings off, not even bothered to detune it. Took a couple of hours, and the tone changed quite a lot (much to my surprise and, luckily, for the better :lol:). It became a more airy, more vibrant and "springy" sort of tone. This was good because I was trying to get more top-end out of it at the time, it sounds a bit woolly in comparison to my other strats.... Actually, the effect of stripping the back of the neck was MUCH greater than replacing the stock bridge assembly (zinc block etc) with steel stuff. However, it's still nowhere near as bright/airy as my Roadworns are.

I haven't stipped my Baja neck, and probably won't. I have considered stripping the body, but decided against it - I'd be worried about a slight reduction in size, that stuff looks well thick. I understand it is easy(ish) to do - apparently it comes off quite quick and cleanly with the heat-gun method.

Personally I'd go with Dave and say "replacement body" - Philly might have a good supply of them under his bed? ( :lol:)

[Philly Q]

It will be cheaper/easier to buy a replacement body and sell the Badger one on eBay to recoup costs.  The guy who sells relic ones on US eBay would be my first port of call...

Which Guy is this Dave?

I'm guessing it's these chaps - good workmanship and they're nice to deal with, too:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/mjtagedguitarfinishes

[Philly Q]

Personally I'd go with Dave and say "replacement body" - Philly might have a good supply of them under his bed? ( :lol:)

I have got a couple of Tele bodies, but not vintage style - they're chambered and (block your eyes/ears, Andy....) contoured like Strat bodies for extra playing comfort.