If a guitar finish could tell a story, it would be like an autobiography of the instrument, chronicling every bump, scratch, and stain it has ever received, each one a testament to the experience of the player who wielded it. Every guitar finish, whether it’s a factory finish or a hand-rubbed wax, has a story to tell, and it’s up to us to listen carefully.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what a guitar finish can say and how it relates to the guitar and the musician who played it. We’ll also explore the different kinds of finishes that have been used throughout history and how they’ve evolved over time.
The Sounds of History: Guitars and Their Finishes
Guitars have been played for centuries, and each generation of musicians has left its mark on the instrument, including the finishes used on the bodies of the guitars. Early guitar finishes were often simple, utilitarian coatings of varnish or shellac that protected the wood from the elements. Many of these finish types are still used today, but they have evolved over time to meet the needs of musicians and their audiences.
The Gibson Les Paul, for example, one of the most famous electric guitars in history, was originally finished with a glossy nitrocellulose lacquer. This helped create the instrument’s distinctive tone, which was further accentuated by the solid mahogany body. The nitro finish offered a high degree of protection from scratches and dings, but over time, it would eventually wear down, revealing the raw wood beneath.
This wear and tear was inevitable, and many players embraced it, as it signaled their experience with the guitar. Some guitar enthusiasts refer to this as “relic’d”, and it’s a particular style that has become popular in recent years. Relic’d guitars often have paint scratches, chips, missing finish, or even cracks, giving the instrument an aged look that suggests a long history of use.
The Fender Stratocaster, another iconic instrument, was originally finished with a combination of nitrocellulose lacquer and polyester, which provided a more durable finish than nitro alone. The poly finish offered better resistance to wear and tear, but it lacked the resonance and character of nitro. The finish on early Strats is often referred to as “heavy”, as it is thicker and more durable than the finishes on other guitars of the time.
As guitarists began to push the limits of their instruments, they demanded better finishes that would allow for greater expression and sound. Painted-on finishes were developed to deliver intricate designs and colors, while natural finishes like oil and wax were used to enhance the natural beauty of the woodgrain.
Listeners have also played a role in how guitars look and sound. The psychedelia movement of the 1960s inspired many new finishes and styles, including the Gibson SG and the Fender Jazzmaster. These guitars often featured wild, bright colors and intricate patterns, like the candy apple red finish of the Fender Jaguar.
The 1970s brought a new era of guitar finishes, with metallic and pearlescent paints becoming increasingly popular. These finishes were reflective and eye-catching and were often used by artists like Frank Zappa and Eddie Van Halen, who were known for their flamboyant style.
By the 1980s, the guitar market had become more competitive, with manufacturers trying to stand out with new and innovative finishes. Custom paint jobs became popular, allowing musicians to create their unique instruments with intricate details and patterns. The Jackson Soloist, for example, was a popular metal guitar that featured a unique snow camouflage finish that blended into the background when playing live.
The Importance of the Finish in the Guitar’s Story
A guitar’s finish is a crucial part of its story, just like the music it creates. A well-worn finish speaks of the musician who played it, the gigs they played, the songs they wrote, and the people they touched with their music. A pristine finish, on the other hand, suggests a guitar that was rarely played and possibly even kept locked away in its case.
The finish also plays a role in how the guitar sounds. Nitrocellulose finishes, for example, are known for their “breathability,” meaning they allow the wood of the guitar to resonate more freely, resulting in a warmer, more natural tone. Modern poly finishes tend to be denser and glossier, which can have the opposite effect, creating a more synthetic sound.
In recent years, the art of guitar relicing has become a full-fledged business. Professional relicers will take a new or like-new guitar and create an artificial, worn-down look that’s meant to imitate the effects of years of playing. Some believe that these relic’d guitars can capture some of the magic of a well-played vintage instrument, while others argue that they are nothing more than fake relics.
Regardless of how you feel about relic’d guitars, one thing is clear: a guitar’s finish tells its story, and its story is part of a legacy that spans generations of musicians. From the earliest varnish coatings to the latest in custom paint jobs, the finish on a guitar speaks volumes about the life and times of the instrument and the person who played it.
Wrapping Up
So, what can a guitar finish tell us about the instrument and the musician who played it? As we’ve seen, just about everything. A guitar’s finish is an autobiography of the instrument, a story that tells of its journey from a raw piece of wood to a beloved companion of a musician.
The finish on a guitar helps create its unique sound and character, and it speaks of the musician who played it, their style, and their influences. Whether it’s a relic’d vintage guitar or a custom-painted electric, the finish is an integral part of the guitar’s story and the legacy of the musician who played it.
In conclusion, if a guitar finish could tell a story, it would be a fascinating tale of art, tradition, and innovation. It would be a story of the music that influenced its creation, the people who played it, and the legacy it leaves behind. A guitar finish is a work of art, and like all great works of art, it tells a story that’s meant to be shared and enjoyed by everyone who loves music.
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