Herb:
This is a cosmetic problem that affects the monetary value of the instrument
but not the sound the instrument produces. I have the same problem with a
Tomlinson lute I purchased second0hand. I talked to Grant at the recent
Lute Festival in Cleveland, and he basically said it is not important to fix
it.
If you choose to do something about it, the course of action depends in part
on what the existing finish material is, but the choices basically boil down
to:
1) try to refinish that area and make it blend with the surrounding parts of
the soundboard
2) strip off all the finish on the soundboard, then
a) refinish it
b) leave the wood bare
If the existing finish is shellac, option 1) may be easier to accomplish
than if it is a varnish that may be difficult or impossible to match. Since
shellac is soluble in alcohol, it may be possible just to redistribute the
existing finish with denatured alcohol to even it out.
Many early lutes seem to have had minimal or no finish on the soundboard, so
2)b is a realistic option.
Regards,
Daniel Heiman
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Herbert Ward
Sent: 27 July, 2014 15:52
To: [email protected]
Subject: [LUTE] Bare spot on soundboard.
I've worn a spot on the soundboard with my RH pinkie.
The bare wood is starting to show through the finish.
Should I do anything?
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