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I know there are a couple of builders who do this religiously (Tim McKnight comes to mind).

What are the pros and cons of sealing the inside of the guitar top/back/sides prior to closing the box?

I've read claims that it will help protect against rapid changes in humidity, but I can't imagine this doesn't come with drawbacks?

Hmm.. Thanks Rick...

I suppose this is really just part of the general discussion about how finish type and thickness affects a guitars tone.

As far as coating the inside, I guess I could see where having both sides of a thin piece of wood 'sealed' might have a significant impact on it's ability to vibrate freely. My guess is it would probably affect softer woods like spruce more than a denser hardwood.

I guess I need to add this to my list of 'experiments'.. (I think I have a lot of prototypes in my future) =)

Jim_H wrote: As far as coating the inside, I guess I could see where having both sides of a thin piece of wood 'sealed' might have a significant impact on it's ability to vibrate freely. =)

On an instrument with one unfinished side, wouldn't each additional coat of finish to the finished side have similar significant impact on vibration?

tb

I'm guessing sealing the inside would help short term humidity extremes........but be worse for long term humidity extremes. For long term exposure, it makes no difference (low humidity winter for example). If the additonal finish slows the transfer of moisture to the wood......then it also slows the release of moisture from the wood. So a guitar coated inside and out with finish will take longer to recover from long term humidity extremes.

Well why not go all the way? :-) Not mine btw!

Taran Guitars -

That is a purty insides but I wouldn't go to the trouble unless it either helped the tone or did away with humidity change issues.

Kevin

As far as I know Alvarez Yari models still have a lacquer finish on the inside -- back when Paul Simon played one it was claimed the Yari D size was louder and more balanced then Martins -- I am just repeating