Nitrocellulose top bound, with satin back and sides?

[Narayan Kersak]

Does that work?

Would it work to have an instrument with a nitrocellulose top and peg head, and satin back and sides and neck? Seems to me the whole instrument would need to be nitro, but that's just a hunch as I know nothing about this.

It would be helpful to know though.

Please explain.

[Frank Ford]

Absolutely can be done. But, remember that "satin" is a descriptor of the surface reflectivity, and nothing else. So, instruments with gloss tops and satin backs are generally finished with the same material except for the final coat on the back, which has an additive to make the stuff dry to a satin sheen. The top is then polished or buffed to a level gloss.

Reading your question, I assumed to ask whether dissimilar finishes can be used on different parts of the instrument, and I can assure you that there's no penalty for doing so. As a repairer, I've sometimes changed the finish on a back or top in the course of refinishing or touchup. No reason you couldn't use polymer for back and sides, nitrocellulose lacquer for top, or any other combinations that you might consider convenient, useful, or desirable from a (theoretical, at least) tonal standpoint.

[Narayan Kersak]

I see...so then the whole thing could be nitro, but the back and sides are not just all buffed shiny and reflective?

[Frank Ford]

indeed, that's the deal. . .

[Avi Ziv]

This past weekend I played a Collings MT that had a glossy nitro top and satin sides and back.

[crazymandolinist]

Very smart look I think.