I tend to plant my right hand pinky a little, not all the time and I am doing better avoiding it but it still seems to happen... I had an early gibson A-9 and wore a patch of finish off the top, right down to the bare wood. Not sure how that A-9 top was finished, kind of a matte? In general I realize I am somewhat rough on the finish in that area. And to make it difficult I don’t really like pick guards. My lacquer finish mandos haven’t had the same problem.
Anyway, for those reasons and others I have stayed away from varnish finishes up to this point. I am dreaming of a higher tier custom build but all the builders I am looking at do varnish finishes.
I will plan on keeping my current mandos (and have a specific bar mando), so this would be a bit of a “case queen” primarily for home use or a nicer gig where I can use a microphone.
Anyone have experience with varnish finishes (positive or negative) and the “pinky planting” area? Varnish finish and a tone guard? How about high humidity in the heat? Is my fear of varnish needless?
Thanks!
Dan
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