Question about removing finish...

**dadsaster** · Nov-28-2017, 1:58pm

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?

**billhay4** · Nov-28-2017, 2:07pm

Very.
Bill

**Steve Ostrander** · Nov-28-2017, 3:23pm

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.

**Jerusalem Ridge** · Nov-28-2017, 3:36pm

The 300s have a satin finish and the 500s have gloss. The 300s tend to sound more open right out of the box.

**HonketyHank** · Nov-28-2017, 4:22pm

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.

**William Smith** · Nov-28-2017, 5:16pm

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?