Ok, so there's this debate going on. Does the finish you use make a difference to the tone of the guitar?
So being the obliging sort of fellow that I am I went off to Cash Converters and acquired two identical Fender Squirer guitars. Even the colours of the guitar are identical....well, were identical!
After many, many hours of sanding, this is what I have!
Gavmeister
The above are progress shots. I have since completely taken off all residue down to the bare wood and insulated the control cavity too. The next step is to paint the freshly sanded body and neck with Wudtone and to then compare the sound of the two guitars which were for all purposes indistinguishable when I got them home and tried each one out.
Crikey Gav thats massive dedication to prove the debate of wudtone vs nitro. What wudtone colour you applying on the sanded strat ?
As long as both guitar specs and insulation are identical other than the finish this should give us the answer/proof we are all hanging out to know!
well done Gav !
Current Builds and status
scratch end grain pine tele - first clear coat on !
JBA-4 - assembled - final tweaks
Telemonster double scale tele - finish tobacco burst on body and sand neck
Completed builds
scratch oak.rose gum Jazzmaster - assembled needs setup
MK-2 Mosrite - assembled - play in
Ash tele with Baritone neck - neck pup wiring tweaks and play in
Awesome!!
Once this is done the next step would be to test two identical bodies with laminated tops. There is a theory that placing a feature grain (veneer) across the body of the guitar creates a bridging staunch, binding the timber and retarding the resonance of the face in a similar way to hard finishes.
If the difference shown in this experiment is a marked one (which I expect/hope it will be) I will gladly buy and complete the Nitro example of a LP-1M (or similar). I'm assuming the flame top is a veneer on these?
Really looking forward to hearing the result. Thanks Gav!
yes Ray the flame maple and spalted maple LP kits have a veneerQuote from rhay on June 4, 2013, 11:23
I'm assuming the flame top is a veneer on these?
Really looking forward to hearing the result. Thanks Gav!
Current Builds and status
scratch end grain pine tele - first clear coat on !
JBA-4 - assembled - final tweaks
Telemonster double scale tele - finish tobacco burst on body and sand neck
Completed builds
scratch oak.rose gum Jazzmaster - assembled needs setup
MK-2 Mosrite - assembled - play in
Ash tele with Baritone neck - neck pup wiring tweaks and play in
Did you record both "before"?
I was thinking of doing a similar thing with some of the ST1 kits, but this way makes sense as well, as you could also get a "before & after" as well as a "side-by-side".
I have indeed, but I'm keeping the audio files to myself as I want to post links to these and let people decide which they think sounds best....Quote from phloggy on June 4, 2013, 12:15
Did you record both "before"?
I was thinking of doing a similar thing with some of the ST1 kits, but this way makes sense as well, as you could also get a "before & after" as well as a "side-by-side".
Wow Gav, a big investment in time AND money. You are a dedicate chap aren't you.
Well, this should put the debate to bed once and for all. Very interested in the result.
Thanks for the effort mate.
rob
I have indeed, but I'm keeping the audio files to myself as I want to post links to these and let people decide which they think sounds best....[/quote]Quote from Gavin1393 on June 4, 2013, 13:23
What a good idea. Double-blind type comparisons would be excellent.
They were hilarious 25-years ago when we were all arguing CD v. Vinyl!
Gav - above and beyond!
Wouldn't 2 x ST-1's be cheaper?
Current builds:
GPB-4B: https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...548#post184548
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