Dear fellow lute enthusiasts,
There has been some recent discussion of soundboard finishes on the lute site. It is my understanding that in the old days many lute soundboards were finished with brushed on thin coats of egg white. I believe the intention here was to create a protective finish without adversely affecting (dampening) the sound. Several subscribers recommended Tung Oil, other oils, and varnishes. All of these would protect the soundboard very nicely, but the all would slightly dampen sound. The best of both worlds can be achieved with a French polished finish using shellac. French polish application is a little different from brushed or sprayed on finishes, and a little training in application techniques would be vastly helpful. The result: A thin protective finish that does not penetrate deep into the soft coniferous soundboard, and thus does not dampen sound. French polish is not as durable as varnish or hardened oil, but it is far superior to egg whites, and it still gives the soundboard protection and allows for a fully developed sound. Respectfully submitted, Chris -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
