Question about removing finish...
There is a lefty Eastman MD515 for sale that I'm thinking of getting because it's less than 1/2 the cost of a new instrument. The problem is that I prefer the tone of the 300 level instruments. I've heard people attribute this to the finish.
How difficult of a job is it to remove the finish?
Re: Question about removing finish...
Re: Question about removing finish...
Do they really use a different finish on the 300s? I find that hard to believe. The md515 has been around for a long time and some of them sound better than the 800 level instruments.
Re: Question about removing finish...
The 300s have a satin finish and the 500s have gloss. The 300s tend to sound more open right out of the box.
Re: Question about removing finish...
If it is anything like the "The Loar" 220 that I refinished, it is a significant project. There was an improvement in sound when I was done, but it was not miraculously transformed into a real Loar. Fun project but otherwise not worth the effort in my opinion.
Re: Question about removing finish...
I'll never forget a mandolin my dad refinished, it was an F-5, unfortunately don't remember the maker but it was an import cheaper one and well after stripping all the lacquer and then finish "what a time consuming job!" when he applied the new finish "the guy wanted it black" it must've been a laminate top because the black was all terrible-not uniform or solid, it was all wavy and light in the grain. Maybe where the glue was on her from the laminate? We didn't understand because he's done loads of solid top black refinishes and they turned out great. but the guy was happy with the look?
Re: Question about removing finish...
I did exactly this, and it was not difficult at all. Check out the thread below
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...nished-Eastman
Re: Question about removing finish...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Steve VandeWater
Came out looking nice, too.