From lacquer to varnish

[ericwall]

Just saw an ad in the classifieds for a Randy Wood that had been refinished from lacquer to varnish. I've played only one Randy Wood and it was a killer. But I never heard of refinishing the lacquer to varnish. Once it has been lacquered, is it really possible to bring it over to a varnished instrument as if it was originally a varnished instrument? Get my drift?
Eric Wall

[Tom C]

Gibson did it to one of our members Sam Bush model.

You can do it. Very hard process though

[ericwall]

I guess I wasn't clear. Can a laquered to varnish conversion "sound" like a varnished model that had never been lacquered?

[mandoJeremy]

Well, I am the one that had my Sam Bush refinished in varnish and I will tell you that you can definitely tell a major difference in sound. They take all of the lacquer off and just varnish it. That simple. Lacquer is much harder and does not flex as much as varnish. I have played Sam's Bush model that is varnish and I can't tell a difference from mine. Plus, after the varnish job even Big Joe commented on how my mandolin sounds very much like Hoss. It is definitely because of the varnish. I don't know how to really explain it in words on the difference in tone but there is a very distinct one.

[mandoJeremy]

Also, very hard process....YES. #It took six months! #But, it can be done with Charlie in charge!

[ericwall]

Thanks for the answer. If I didn't have an order in for Fletcher Brock's F5, I'd look seriously at that Randy Wood!
Eric

[Luthier Vandross]

We can refinish your mandolin in varnish, from an original lacquer finish, it takes about 8 weeks to cure (when the weather is right) about a 12 week turn around, we also have a french polish, over hand dragged burst, in your favorite classic color.

I have a top-secret finish, that is based on methylated spirit, but lighter than both above options, by nearly half, that will open up anything.

We also have a brand new Fern model, that is 1 week from strings, and unspoken for, rare!

M