www.KitGuitarsForum.com

Every once in a while when I'm feeling masochistic, i go to these sites where incredible work is shown. That I won't be able to do, but HOW to they get the SHEEN on the inside backs and sides, or the braces for that matter, without putting some finish on? I've been told that finishing the inside with anything that seals is not a good thing to do I sand to 600, and it still never looks like these.

Planing the wood creates a sheen. However, I don't worry about a sheen. I just keep the inside very clean, with accurate bracing, and thorough sanding. I think this is more important, so stop beating yourself up. You're bracing, and sides/back, look great.

I always seal the inside with a coat of shellac. Why wouldn't you want to seal the inside, to improve the stability of the instrument when the humidity changes?

I've not heard of anything adverse about applying shellac to the inside of a guitar.

I was trying to think of another reason for a sheen to the wood. Actually 600g sanding creates the beginning of a sheen, 1200g produces more. Planing with a smooth plane creates a sheen as well.

It could have been any of the above.

Thank you all. I think I'm going to try 1200 grit first. Then, if that don't work, i'll put a light thin Tru-oil on a spare piece. The one I'm working on is a spectacular Amazon rosewood, and i only build them for my children and friends. Each one takes me a loooong time in my old age.

My guitars have an "ACME" logo and my labels tell all: "Ok work, Fairly Soon."

I rebuilt a 1933 Gibson L-00a couple of years ago. The braces are 3/16" at the glueing surface, everything is very lightly built. The guitar is the best sounding instrument I have had the privilege to play. There are still circular saw blade marks on the braces.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/ ... 344222304/

Click on the shot and it will enlarge - look at the top of the two braces. Again 3 shot later you can see it

I find it is very easy to overthink these things

Ed

It depends in part on what kind of wood you are dealing with. I made a bridge of African blackwood, sanded it with progressively finer grits to 2000, and the thing just glistened.
download/file.php?id=7600&mode=view

The harder the wood, the more it takes a shine when progressively polished.

Hey Geez

Nice looking bridge

Ed