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Thread: Lacquer vs. varnish

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    Registurd User pjlama's Avatar
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    I'm looking to purchase a quality 'A' as my back-up. The two that I'm deliderating between I've played but can't remember, anyway one lacquer the other varnish same maker. Please let me know your thoughts on sound differance. I generally feel that it's there and the varnish is sweeter but am I letting myself get confused here?
    PJ
    Stanley V5

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    Registered User Rick Crenshaw's Avatar
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    Heck, there's a thread that luthiers insist that the type of spruce is irrelevant. How could the finish make that big of an effect. FWIW, I varnished my first F5 build. My Daleys have a satin lacquer finish. Sim says he can apply it thinner since you don't have to buff it out to perfection. I've thought of hand buffing them out to look like traditional varnish finished mandolins. If the price were the same, I'd go with varnish just because it may sound more like no finish at all and it will likely age with more patina and I like a well used looking instrument. I can't stand a shiny new looking mandolin. It ain't right.
    Rick in Memphis

  3. #3

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    Man, I'm stayin' away from this one!

  4. #4

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    "Heck, there's a thread that luthiers insist that the type of spruce is irrelevant."

    That is not accurate.

    "Please let me know your thoughts on sound differance."

    If you can play both, side by side, pick the one which sounds the best. Its easy!




  5. #5

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    I agree, play both, do an A/B test. Personally I like the sound of my varnished instrument better than the lacquered version of the same instrument that I tried, but that's just me.
    Jason

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    Registurd User pjlama's Avatar
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    I did play both but it was a month ago and I spent more time with an F varnish because I was evaluating that at the time. I should have not started this because to me I generally prefer varnish, tonally. I just like the color finish better on the lacquer so I was trying to justify going with a lacquer so I must apologize for dragging the entire Cafe into my disease (MAS).
    PJ
    Stanley V5

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    Oh come on Hans! Don't you want to wade into this area again? The sharks are near....

    Seriously, PJ, if you want many opinions on this issue, just do a search over in the builders' section and you'll find a wealth of discussion and disagreement and agreement. It will leave you with as many questions as when you started. But it's interesting.

  8. #8
    Registurd User pjlama's Avatar
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    I searched the 'looking for information about mandolins' section and didn't think to look in the builders. I guess I'll look but I'm a little scared.
    PJ
    Stanley V5

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    Registered User Rick Crenshaw's Avatar
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    I'll stay out of threads if my opinions and joshing are poisonous. #I think that opposing views can be entertaining AND informative. #Please consider any remarks that I make as being serious but with a side of snide humour. #I won't go into this further. #I think the type of finish can make a difference but oh so subtle. #That is if both finishes are applied correctly and appropriately for the instrument. #I think varnish does and should sound better, but maybe just because it's usually on the better instruments. #Why did I put it on the Stew-Mac F5 kit that I made? #One, it was easy to apply without a sprayer. #Two, I wanted an old looking 'distressed' mandolin. #Three, and most important, I figured it would need all the tonal help it could get. #I used hide glue for the same reason. #Who knows what my mandolins would sound like with the other finish on them (varnish for lacquer or lacquer for varnish)? #I'll never know. #But I like varnish even if it is more prone to signs of abuse.:p

    I'm not willing to pay an extra $1500 or 2000 for varnish, however.



    Rick in Memphis

  10. #10

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    OK Dale...no finish sounds the best!!! Oh, yea, just my personal opinion. #

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    I think Hans mandolins sound best with Varnish...or lacquer....or no finish. They are all great if built properly and tone is a personal thing. You may not hear the difference and it may not be worth the upcharge for good varnish. Some of us have a penchant for varnish and we could never be happy with lacquer. Try them and decide for yourself. It is, after all, your money and our opinion should not outweigh your ear on this one.
    Have a Great Day!
    Joe Vest

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    i've owned both, i don't think there's a noticeable difference

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    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    What about other finishes? Shellac, Krylon blended with mineral spirits, innovative stuff? I'm really curious - not just making light of the initial post. . . .

    f-d
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    Fingernail polish? Hairspray? Creosote?

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    Professional Dilletante Rick Banuelos's Avatar
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    Right now, the experiment is Tung Oil...
    Rick Banuelos

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    Fatt-Dad, What about Thile hair gel?
    Jamie
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    Registered User fredfrank's Avatar
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    Varnish is a lot easier to spell than lackqueur.

  18. #18
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Gold leaf? I mean it holds up on other wood (er, paper), eh?

    fatt should-I-start-a-thread-on-which-binding-sounds-better-too dad
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

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    Registered User Tony Sz's Avatar
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    I think, and it's only my opinion,that if you don't have any "history" to go by, and you're looking for the mando that sounds the best to you today, go for the one that sounds the best today, regardless of finish, especially if you're not keeping the mando for a long time. Why? Because unless you're going for the long haul, you'll find that either mando will change and develop over time. With a newer instrument, you might like it today but 2 years hence you might feel different...Long haul, a varnish mando will develop differently than a laquer mando (reference Loars vs, post Loar mandos...1922-1924 vs. 1925 and beyond). Once you see that difference, and you figure what you like,you'll have a better handle on the matter. What sounds better? That's what makes hoarse races. What's better, vanilla...chocolate....
    Tony Szczygielski

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    Mine are mostly covered in beer now.

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    Registered User F5G WIZ's Avatar
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    Varnish smells better!
    Poe#5, Neely#72, Kentucky KM 150 (The Bagram Beater)
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