On Varnish

**Tracey** · Mar-18-2011, 8:31pm

In the thread on win a Webber I ask what upgrades would most affect the "sound" of the instrument. One poster suggested that the varnish upgrade would affect the sound "more than all the hardware upgrades combined".

As Spock would say " Fascinating Jim".

As a non builder, arguable mandolin illerate, I don't get it. Does a few micrometers thick finish really affect the sound of the instrument to that degree?

If so.... How?

**Martin Stevens** · Mar-18-2011, 8:33pm

I would imagine the bridge would affect it the most.

**Ben Somerville** · Mar-18-2011, 8:42pm

See this thread: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...sh-vs.-Lacquer

**sunburst** · Mar-18-2011, 9:31pm

Originally Posted by Tracey

...Does a few micrometers thick finish really affect the sound of the instrument to that degree?...

No.

There are those who will argue otherwise, but a well applied, thin finish will have a minimal affect on sound, so it follows that the composition of the well applied thin finish, already having a minimal effect on sound, cannot have a big effect on sound. Give me a good, well applied, thin finish and I won't much care what the finish material is, and I won't be able to hear any difference that I would definitely attribute to the finish.

**Mike Bunting** · Mar-18-2011, 9:43pm

I read an interview a few years ago with John Monteleone and when asked a similar question he answered that he didn't think that there should be any difference given that both finishes were very thin and applied properly.

**Tracey** · Mar-19-2011, 9:32am

So what about the fossilized ivory bridge? Big difference? Small difference? No difference?

**Tim2723** · Mar-19-2011, 9:51am

From all I've read I too think the general consensus is that finish thickness is more critical to tone than finish type. The biggest complaints tend to come from instruments that are dipped in polyurethane rather than having a fine, quality finish. One upside to some of the more modern finishes is that you worry less about protecting them.

**Tim2723** · Mar-19-2011, 9:54am

Originally Posted by Tracey

So what about the fossilized ivory bridge? Big difference? Small difference? No difference?

Nut material seems to be one of those imponderable questions. There are those who will go to their graves swearing it makes a big difference, others will deny it to the end. Sadly, there appears to be no strict scientific evidence. It's one of those things that you can't observe without changing something else.