Somehow I postted this in the wrong thread already
Hello guys, I thought Id sign up for the forum and answer a couple of those questions that were asked about the finishing on Jeff's BaCH.
I DID shoot the Nitro over top of the poly on this one in order to keep the cost down a little bit. stripping poly finish is a long and laborous task ESPECIALLY on a set neck instrument where you have to work around the neck joint and such. I Always prefer to spray a FULLY Nitro finish whe doing a vintage restoration, refin, or even a new finish, but the cost was a prohibitive factor on this one. and to the Bach's credit, the Poly finish that it had wasnt too terribly thick so what wee did here was treat the existing poly finish much like a poly base coat that fender has been using since 1968. Which brings me to the question about checking.
Somone asked why their '62 reissue would check, even tho it was nitro over poly. well the answer is that many companies including gibson and fender ad a hardening agent to their lacquer to prevent unwanted cracking and makes the lacquer much harder and more durable.
the down side.... It also makes it much like a Poly finish in that it chokes the life out of the wood if applied to thick. Under the right conditions this hardened lacquer can also crack or "check" but many times the outcome is not the desire asthetic, so many "relic" guy use a razor blade to apply checking cracks. I PERSONALLY DO NOT. I have seen many people try this blade checking tecnique and have seen many people fail miserably at mking a believable and authentic looking instrument. In fact the Only person Ive seen achieve any measure of success with this is TOM MURPHY of Gibson, and he is credited for creating the whol relic process for Gibson.
(Stepping down from my soapbox now....)
I hope tis answers any of the questions you may or may not have had about the BaCH finish we applied.
JOHN SCOTT
Bluesman Vintage Guitars (and Basses)
