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rad - Posted - 10/29/2023: 14:57:10
Background
I just had to give up regular guitar due to osteoarthritis in the knuckles of my fretting hand, bone on bone at this point. Creams, pain meds and even Steroid injections have failed.
I have played electric and acoustic guitar for 50 yrs, the last few years I got back into Bluegrass again and enjoy a local jam group. I don’t want to give that up so I’m transitioning to lap resonators. To that end I sold my quality acoustics and picked up a 1970 Dobro and a 2023 Beard Radio R.
I do most of my own work on my guitars short of the big boy and girl stuff like neck resets and refrets. I’m not to terrible at repairing minor Nitro finish issues, I suck at fixing Poly issues.
The question
Are my guitars Poly or Nitro? The Dobro feels like Poly and the Beard has a thin satin finish much like the Nitro finished Gibson J35 I just sold, but the Beard has no hint of a Nitro smell.
Oh ya, being back at almost square one with a musical instrument is kinda fun. I did quickly learn not to pick up my coffee cup with my right hand in morning while wearing the picks.
Thanks
hlpdobro - Posted - 10/29/2023: 15:07:39
Call Beard at 301-733-8271 or email denny@beardguitars.com . Fairly certain your guitar is poly. I don't know what OMI was using in 1970.
h
Edited by - hlpdobro on 10/29/2023 15:11:48
PancakeBillW - Posted - 10/29/2023: 19:15:52
with picks, yes and trying to watch some you tube and play and keyboard with picks is a losing battle as well
Tom Jr. - Posted - 10/30/2023: 10:50:55
My 2003 Beard is a poly finish.
rad - Posted - 10/30/2023: 10:57:36
quote:
Originally posted by Tom Jr.
My 2003 Beard is a poly finish.
Thanks Tom. That is what I suspected.
MarkinSonoma - Posted - 10/30/2023: 11:31:12
1970 OMI Dobro? I'm about 98% sure it was a lacquer finish, not sure of the chemical compound.
rad - Posted - 10/30/2023: 12:37:03
quote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonoma
1970 OMI Dobro? I'm about 98% sure it was a lacquer finish, not sure of the chemical compound.
Thanks, Mark
The 70's aspect and made in the US made me think Lacquer but it looks Iike Poly, but it's not sticky like many earlier poly finishes. Not that it matters, I'm more curious than anything else.
The Poly/Nitro issue is of course big in the regular guitar world, not that it necessarily should be. Poly finishes have come a long way in recent years and usually even nitro guitars have a poly under coat. it appears in the resonator world it is not such a big deal.
Thanks again. I enjoy ready your posts, you have a lot of experience with these critters.
Conrad
daver - Posted - 10/31/2023: 08:27:36
If you must know for sure, there is an invasive but definitive way to tell if it's lacquer. Find an inconspicuous spot (under a tuner or tailpiece - I told you it was invasive), and carefully place a small amount of acetone on the finish with a Q-tip. If the finish dissolves (I told you it was invasive), it's solvent based (lacquer or shellac). If not, it is polymerized (varnish, polyester, polyurethane).
If you are doing finish touch up, this is important information. If not, best to leave it in the realm of curiosity.
The usual disclaimers for any instrument modification beyond changing strings....
Edited by - daver on 10/31/2023 08:28:46
rad - Posted - 10/31/2023: 15:34:05
quote:
Originally posted by daver
If you must know for sure, there is an invasive but definitive way to tell if it's lacquer. Find an inconspicuous spot (under a tuner or tailpiece - I told you it was invasive), and carefully place a small amount of acetone on the finish with a Q-tip. If the finish dissolves (I told you it was invasive), it's solvent based (lacquer or shellac). If not, it is polymerized (varnish, polyester, polyurethane).
If you are doing finish touch up, this is important information. If not, best to leave it in the realm of curiosity.
The usual disclaimers for any instrument modification beyond changing strings....
I loved your post. I'll take your advice and not try to test any parts unless I end up having to do a repair.
'Bourbon Street Triolian' 7 days
'WTB Beard 2010 bar' 14 days
