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How to choose the best finish for your new ukulele
Finish for the ukulele – There are many ways to end the ukulele, guitar, and string instruments, musical instruments. There are musicians who claim bold claims that one way is better than another in the way the instruments sound. There are conflicting opinions about which finish is best for your musical instrument. This article attempts to explain the basic differences and let you make a better decision about the ukulele finish you prefer.
Modern High Gloss Finishes – Modern glossy varnish has a beautiful, high gloss, mirror glow that greatly improves the color and grain patterns of the forest. And these finishes are hard too. The labor required for applying and polishing the gloss finish is more expensive than a satin finish because of polishing needed to produce shine. We think we see a trend in more or our customers prefer gloss finish. Both gloss and matt varnishes produce excellent tone and volume in ukulele.
Satin or Matte Finishes – Satin finish has a soft, matte appearance that some clients prefer a more "natural" look. This is a nitrocellulose lacquer finish. As a satin finish may be easier to use, it is more often seen with the cheaper instruments. Most of the vintage ukulele from years gone by had a satin finish …. simply because the modern high-gloss type finish had not been invented yet.
Varnishes – French polishing is a method for applying finish on wood by hand with a cotton pad. Many violins are finished with French polish. The stringed instrument world the term "French polishing 'understood as a shellac spirit varnish, which has been used by the French polish method. Most of the fine old musical instruments in Europe was French polished, which is a majority of fine classical guitars are handmade in the day. It is a very cherished and desired finish for both its visual and tone enhancing properties. Luster, texture and color of the tree are all improved significantly during a masterfully applied French polish finish. The hardened shellac film is also very thin and flexible and are believed to produce the clearest and most natural sound from the vibrating wood of ukulele especially resonant. To achieve a professional-quality French Polish finish is very dependent on the practiced skill and experience finisher. More polishing sessions are necessary for many days or weeks to achieve the best results. Only a few custom builders offer French Polish ending on ukulele because of the required labor.
What then? What kind of finish I want on my ukulele? – All surface materials used in the manufacture of ukulele can produce excellent tone and volume in ukulele. Although there are those who do not agree with my opinion, In a dark room … with a professional player at the other end … I can not detect tonal difference in finish.
The bottom line is to choose the instrument that pleases you in appearance wood and the feel of the instrument as you play it and not worry much on finishing. Some of the fine vintage instruments have such a nice "feel" about them that you just want to be in the same room with them.
Remember, all forms finishes need respect and care … all of them can become scratched and dinged-up. Rough picks and sharp nails can do a lot of damage to your uke. Any good Uke deserves a polish cloth to help care for the finish. One word of warning, do not use any polish on your ukulele that has silicone in it. It makes any latter painting or touch up finish, very difficult.
Just keep Playing!
I'm Roy T. Cone …. For many years, and literally hundreds of ukulele, we enjoyed fun ukulele can bring into people's lives. We will help you if we can with your ukulele. You can find us at http://www.ukuleleworld.com/
About the Author
We have enjoyed the ukulele for many, many years and have helped hundreds of people enjoy the fun that playing the ukulele can bring to you and your loved ones.
