Varnish on bridge that cracks

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Guetta

Posts: 40
Joined: May 28 2014

Varnish on bridge that cracks

Hello everyone,
could help me find a simple solution to remove this little problem
of varnish cracks on the bridge.
the varnish cracks ?
it's just aesthetic... if you have any advices.

Thank you in advance

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 8 2019 11:10:23

mt1007

Posts: 162
Joined: Jan. 19 2011

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to Guetta)

Is this a Lester Devoe guitar? Same thing happens on my bridge, strings indent laquer finish on my Devoe but not as much as yours. I don't think there is much you can do. Suerte

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 8 2019 17:50:56

Guetta

Posts: 40
Joined: May 28 2014

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to mt1007)

quote:

mt1007

Yes it's a Lester Devoe ! I thought to try to remove it and leave without the varnish but I do not know if it would be without risk.
Thank you for your reply mt1007
A saludo suerte para ti

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 8 2019 18:02:36

mt1007

Posts: 162
Joined: Jan. 19 2011

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to Guetta)

If it really bothers you, you can get the laquer removed from bridge and have the bridge done in French polish. French polish will not crack like that. Though I don't recommend doing this, the cracks, scratches, etc actually look cool and add character to your guitar. Plus removal and French polish would not be cheap, you'd have to send your instrument to a luthier, if you're near one you can drop off, it not you have to deal with shipping, etc... What year is your guitar? Maybe the pistolero went heavy on the finish on your guitar? Normally he applies very light finishes. Lester does not shoot laquer, he has a pistolero do it, just in case you did not know.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 8 2019 18:18:34

Guetta

Posts: 40
Joined: May 28 2014

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to mt1007)

quote:

If it really bothers you, you can get the laquer removed from bridge and have the bridge done in French polish. French polish will not crack like that. Though I don't recommend doing this, the cracks, scratches, etc actually look cool and add character to your guitar. Plus removal and French polish would not be cheap, you'd have to send your instrument to a luthier, if you're near one you can drop off, it not you have to deal with shipping, etc... What year is your guitar? Maybe the pistolero went heavy on the finish on your guitar? Normally he applies very light finishes. Lester does not shoot laquer, he has a pistolero do it, just in case you did not know.

She is 2017 ! Thanks for your answer i will leave you like that as a reason ....
the problem appeared 3 months after the purchase ?
I think the varnish is not great on these guitars, it's personal but I find it too thick and prefer the French polish. The pistolero ????
Thanks you

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 8 2019 18:35:17

mt1007

Posts: 162
Joined: Jan. 19 2011

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to Guetta)

Cool, I have one from 2017 too. Was actually finished in December 2017. The finish on mine is super thin but I asked for it to be thin. I like laquer for it's durability, especially from sweat etc... I gig a lot although I have not taken this one to my tablao gigs much. If the finish is really bothering you, I would just get the whole thing redone in French polish. Luthier Eric Reid can do this for you, Lester uses him when a client wants his guitar done in French polish. His shop only does french polishes. I hear he is a very good luthier, restorer of guitars. Here is a link to his shop: http://ericreidguitars.yolasite.com/

Pistolero means laquer shooter in this instance. Check out my guitar below, if you download pic you can enlarge and check bridge area, looks pretty clean.

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Attachment (1)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 8 2019 19:28:11

Guetta

Posts: 40
Joined: May 28 2014

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to mt1007)

quote:

mt1007

mt1007 thanks for your advice but i will leave guitar as it is!
I did not succeed to open the photo that you join ...
thank you

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 9 2019 8:38:39

Echi

Posts: 1131
Joined: Jan. 11 2013

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to Guetta)

In the past I fixed the same issue by filling the scratches with few drops of super glue. Sand it or scrape it down and pass some polish. Good results.

Alternatively you can scrape away the whole varnish from the bone cap with a small rigid scraper or with a razor blade, then fill the scratches and have some though varnish (or super glue used as varnish) applied again.
Just my 2 cents. Nice guitar btw.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 9 2019 9:58:15

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to Guetta)

Mine took some smoothing of the bones, as too sharp edges were cutting strings.

But I am having no such wear on the bridge.
Maybe reconsidering the stringing method could be of help.

Also: If using Augustine blue, restringing will be much less in order.
They not only won´t wear down soon, but are the most crisp ones anyway.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 9 2019 12:17:13

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1672
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to Guetta)

Put strings on it. Then you won't see them much.

_____________________________

Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 9 2019 16:17:33

rombsix

Posts: 7805
Joined: Jan. 11 2006
From: Beirut, Lebanon

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to constructordeguitarras)

quote:

Put strings on it. Then you won't see them much.

_____________________________

Ramzi

http://www.youtube.com/rombsix

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 10 2019 4:48:22

Guetta

Posts: 40
Joined: May 28 2014

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to Echi)

quote:

In the past I fixed the same issue by filling the scratches with few drops of super glue. Sand it or scrape it down and pass some polish. Good results.

Alternatively you can scrape away the whole varnish from the bone cap with a small rigid scraper or with a razor blade, then fill the scratches and have some though varnish (or super glue used as varnish) applied again.
Just my 2 cents. Nice guitar btw.

Thanks You Echi !

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 10 2019 16:51:39

Guetta

Posts: 40
Joined: May 28 2014

RE: Varnish on bridge that cracks (in reply to Ruphus)

quote:

Mine took some smoothing of the bones, as too sharp edges were cutting strings.

But I am having no such wear on the bridge.
Maybe reconsidering the stringing method could be of help.

Also: If using Augustine blue, restringing will be much less in order.
They not only won´t wear down soon, but are the most crisp ones anyway.

Thanks you Ruphus !

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 10 2019 16:52:49