Official Luthiers Forum!
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/

Guitar Finishing Shops?
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=10841		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  joe white(old) [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:21 pm ]
Post subject: 

I've been poking around the net and have not found any dedicated acoustic guitar finishers out there. Anyone aware of such a service. I don't need one finished, just curious if there might be a demand for high quality finishes with a quick turn around.
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Joe...Many of the guys around here use either Tony Ferguson (Michigan) or Adam Stark (California) to do their finishing. I'm not sure if they have websites but Hesh, Lance and others might be able to shed some light on your question.
Author:  crowduck [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
You can locate Adam Stark through Rick Turner at Renaissance Guitar in Santa Cruz, CA. I've read one of
Rick's posts saying that he and Adam share shop space. And I know that Adam does finishing work for some well know makers and mfg's. Don't know about the quick turn around though, you should ask him directly.

CrowDuck
Author:  joe white(old) [ Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have talked with Turner a few times. Even tried a couple of his stage acoustics. He has some interesting stuff and he loves to talk guitars!
Author:  Chris Cordle [ Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Hey Joe,

I'm betting with your experience in the automotive body work that this is
something you'll get right into.
....or...maybe that's what you're already thinking..?

I know of at least a couple of folks on here that use automotive urethane
for their finish. I'm considering it on #2.

Chris
Author:  Bill Greene [ Sat Feb 10, 2007 1:35 am ]
Post subject: 
I would bet that a high-quality acoustic finisher, once proven, with a fairly quick turnaround and prices that were reasonable would most definitely gain a market.

I know two people right now who would be interested.

Author:  John Mayes [ Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Tony is as good or better than anyone I've ever seen. Very thin film
thickness, uses catalyzed urethane. Takes about one month for completion.
Great prices too. Give him a call (616) 842-4114     
Author:  Todd Rose [ Sat Feb 10, 2007 6:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Joe,

I'll second what Chris said. I'm sure there would be plenty of business for you if you can do guitar finishing to the highest professional standards, understanding that that includes not only a flawless-looking finish, but the thinnest possible film. If you can do excellent work with a variety of finishes -- nitro, polyester, cat urethane, etc -- and both high-gloss and satin sheens, there'll be even more demand. If you can be the kind of finisher to whom a builder can send his or her guitars with complete confidence that they will come back with perfect-looking and acoustically excellent finishes, I think you'll soon have all the business you can handle, even if your turn-around isn't so quick.
Author:  af_one [ Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:22 am ]
Post subject: 
Agreed, I think the demand for first class finishes would keep someone very busy.
Author:  tippie53 [ Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Dale Bartholemew of Easton PA does finish work. Also ALex Gray . I have to get the phone numbers for them as they are in my shop file.
   Email me tippie@epix.net and I can get them for you
john hall
Author:  Homeboy [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:53 am ]
Post subject: 
I have often thought about opening a finish shop , but was never sure of the demand. I used to be a finish man for a small company, and did all the work from sanding to color work to buffing. What are the going rates these days for a putting a great finish on an instrument?

Blake
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:02 am ]
Post subject: 
[QUOTE=Hesh1956]
Not to high-jack here so please forgive me does any one do contract french polishing? How does it compare to outsourcing a nitro or CAT U finish in terms of price?[/QUOTE]

I could imagine a quality FP job costing significantly more than Nitro or catalyzed urethane...perhaps double considering all of the labor involved. I would guess that it takes me 15 to 20 hours over a period of a week to do one guitar. I have no idea how that compares to others. I'm not aware of anyone who does this on a contract basis.

Do it yourself, Hesh...at least one time. It's really quite relaxing, tactile and satisfying. I honestly think you'll enjoy it.
Author:  Brock Poling [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:19 am ]
Post subject: 
[QUOTE=Homeboy] I have often thought about opening a finish shop , but was never sure of the demand. I used to be a finish man for a small company, and did all the work from sanding to color work to buffing. What are the going rates these days for a putting a great finish on an instrument?

Blake[/QUOTE]

$300 - $400 is typical depending on what you want.

Author:  JJ Donohue [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Brock, Hesh...What stage is the guitar surface when you send it out for finishing? You do gap filling, etc or does the finisher?
Author:  Bill Greene [ Sun Feb 11, 2007 12:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ditto on Tony Ferguson. The guitarmaker I built my first with - a great finisher himself - looked my freshly returned guitar over very closely and said, "Now tell me again why I'm still doing my own finishes again?"

Tony's work is flawless. You'll have to like the urethane finish (vs. nitro, etc.) but his work is on par with anyone's, anywhere.

PS: And his sunbursts are unbelieveable, too.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/