BeardyAndy
Strummer
Posts: 39 
My main instrument is: Tanglewood TW73 E
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Eko P8
Jun 4, 2016 8:47:38 GMT
Post by BeardyAndy on Jun 4, 2016 8:47:38 GMT
Hello all
I've recently acquired an Eko P8 parlour guitar and its a pretty little thing but weighs as much as my dreadnought and sounds like its made from a solid block of oak!
Now I know this has a lot to do with the fact that its 75% lacquer 25% wood so my question to the wise guitar elves of the Soundboard is if I were to sand the lacquer back to bare wood, would this brighten the sound or just waste an afternoon?
I'm not in any way sentimentally attached to the guitar, paid £40 on ebay!
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ocarolan
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Eko P8
Jun 4, 2016 9:16:10 GMT
Post by ocarolan on Jun 4, 2016 9:16:10 GMT
I removed the lacquer from the top of an Eko 12 stringer for similar reasons - I had to use an electric sander to do it as it was so thick and solid and it took me more than an afternoon, but the sound did improve a lot, mostly in volume. String tension did then pull the bridge up at the back and down at the front over the next few years (it was fine before, and many years old when I attacked it)- I think all that lacquer must have been structural!
With a smaller top and only six strings you might be luckier!
Let us know how you get on!
Keith
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BeardyAndy
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Tanglewood TW73 E
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Post by BeardyAndy on Jun 4, 2016 9:45:18 GMT
Thank you ocarolan, I'll let you know how it goes and maybe even a pic if I don't make too much of a hash of it!
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R the F
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 1,135
My main instrument is: bandsaw
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Eko P8
Jun 4, 2016 10:15:33 GMT
Post by R the F on Jun 4, 2016 10:15:33 GMT
Much easier to use chemical stripper and it doesn't risk damaging the wood but I don't think the general public is allowed to buy the proper stuff any more - must have been too much fun for Our Protectors to cope with. Weak substitutes are available, I believe, but I doubt they would have much effect on an iron-clad Eco. (I used to have a 12-string, too).
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BeardyAndy
Strummer
Posts: 39
My main instrument is: Tanglewood TW73 E
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Eko P8
Jun 4, 2016 10:23:43 GMT
via mobile
Post by BeardyAndy on Jun 4, 2016 10:23:43 GMT
My worry of using products like Nitromors is that it may effect the bonds holding it all together, especially as I think the lacquer is what's holding it together!  ) |
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R the F
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 1,135
My main instrument is: bandsaw
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Eko P8
Jun 4, 2016 10:27:34 GMT
Post by R the F on Jun 4, 2016 10:27:34 GMT
It shouldn't, but you're probably right to be wary. On the other hand taking an electric sander to it might not help, either, if it's that delicate!
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ocarolan
Global Moderator
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Eko P8
Jun 4, 2016 11:05:21 GMT
Post by ocarolan on Jun 4, 2016 11:05:21 GMT
R the F ...haha yes, you're right Rob - I tried various chemical strippers, none of which made much impression at all. The finish must have been about 1.5mm thick at least. The guitar was expendable, and my brutal treatment did in fact get me a couple of years useful life out of it. Once it collapsed too much to be be rendered playable again I sold the neck and various bits of hardware separately on eBay - got more than the complete guitar would have fetched. Nice. Keith
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Eko P8
Jun 4, 2016 15:15:36 GMT
Post by yorkie on Jun 4, 2016 15:15:36 GMT
Perhaps scrape the finish off rather than sanding. If you're not familiar with cabinet scrapers, try YouTube
Chemical stripper would bother me too on a completed instrument, who knows what glues were used and how they'll react.
Best of luck with the project.
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)
Jo whoever he is.
