Oil finished guitars

[the rossness]

The guitar nerd in me loves the wild 80’s paintjobs on guitars. I’ve always been attracted to those. Yet, I hear a difference in my guitars that just have a natural oil finish over the wood. They just seeme more alive. Pickups seem to matter less than they do in a guitar that’s painted. Does paint or a finish really affect tone that much?

 

[paulyc]

Yes, thin nitro is way better than modern poly or urethane. Oil is even better !

 

[Matt300ZXT]

I am considering picking up a 95 Washburn USA MG90. It's Grover Jackson's team making a superstrat for Washburn that is all mahogany with an oil finish rather than paint/stain/dye/whatever.

 

[stratjacket]

I cannot say there is definitely an audible difference, but it is definitely in my pschycy that it feels and plays better, which makes me play better and sound better.

 

[PatF]

Arm-R-Seal by General Finishes is excellent. It's a rubbing varnish oil blend. It was so easy to use. It dried in minutes, though you should leave to cure for a couple weeks.

On this LP copy I applied it with sandpaper and slurried in the grain instead of using regular filler.

 

[LP Freak]

Some say yes, some say no. I personally like how nitro wears...and smells and feels on a neck.

 

[Beyond Black]

Some say yes, some say no. I personally like how nitro wears...and smells and feels on a neck.

That's because you are a LP Freak.

 

[sytharnia1560]

I heard a big change when I removed the paint from my Malmsteen strat. The guitar really "opened" up when it was bare wood. But ultimately I preferred the look of a painted guitar so re painted it (then changed the pickups to more suit what I like)

actually I should add when I stripped the paint I lost so much "height" with the bridge that the trem springs hung outside the back cavity ... fender sure did put a lot of paint on there