Guitar Finishing To Relax/ Study To

Both of the guitars in this video are available through my website:
www.cranmerguitars.co.uk/avai...
The sound demo was recorded by two Octava MK-012-01 microphones and was uploaded in its unprocessed form.
Beetle poop?! It's not as disgusting as it sounds, and chances are you've probably eaten it (think Jelly Beans, Candy Corns, Rasinets, Jelly babies, your nails, etc)
French polishing is my favourite finish due to its natural qualities. There's no need for a mask to protect yourself from harmful toxins, and it also produces - in my opinion - the deepest gloss finish. Here's to you, female lac beetle!
00:00 Egg Coat
00:45 Staining the Flame
02:52 First Coat of Sunburst
06:16 Second Coat of Sunburst
07:16 Scraping the Bindings
08:18 French Polishing
12:54 Demo
By the way, Tchiks smells :)

[@timhallas4275]

The wood looks magnificent. The finish looks great, but the dye job was mediocre. You need to work on that technique.

[@r.p.vanloon6403]

You may think the dye job was mediocre, but personally I thought it looked like an abstract piece of art.

[@l.k.1011]

Donny, you are out of your element.

[@timhallas4275]

@@l.k.1011 Who's Donny?

[@l.k.1011]

@@timhallas4275 A quote from the best movie in human history.

[@clayton5584]

Watchu talkin bout Willis

[@johnnyexponential7229]

The title is not in the least misleading. This is an incredibly relaxing video. Perfect for de-stressing after dealing with idiots at work. And the guitars are breathtakingly beautiful as always.

[@CranmerGuitars]

Hah, I meant the title as a joke, but I'm glad you liked it! ♥️

[@PJ-hn4cg]

For sure !

[@issuinoyume85]

That is one of the sweetest sounding guitars I've ever had the pleasure of hearing, thank you.

[@wheelchairtestdummy3059]

Thank you for a great video. Your skill and patience brought out a amazing finish.

[@alphasow5418]

This is unreal. It's absolutely beautiful. Love it

[@Terrelli]

I am soooo blown away by the shellac finish !!! Gorgeous guitar, Craftsmanship and a True Piece of Art that sounds Fantastic !!!

[@jenohathazi920]

Bravo, this is not only a beautiful guitar, but an instrument with a wonderful sound, congratulations from the bottom of my heart

[@moosey62]

Simply stunning. Thanks for showing!

[@rauschguitars]

Beautiful work! I used to practice french polishing on offcuts for relaxation... I think it's time to start that habit again.

[@randallpickens5690]

Awesome work. It was enjoyable and informative to watch. I love the finished product also.

[@th-pl3nx]

What a BEAUTIFUL guitar!! Fantastic job!

[@dantahoua]

Amazing work! Beautiful!

[@johnnymossville]

beautifully done. I'm going to have to research french polishing more. it looks fun and the results are beautiful.

[@musiqueurbaine]

Unbelievable sound and craftsmanship 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@johnnydc7]

I really enjoyed this video. Beautiful guitar!

[@TheMtvdeath]

This is increbible!!! Thatnks for your content, sir!

[@HalcyonGuitars]

Beautiful work!

[@stevetool7023]

Outstanding work, sir!

[@Viking_Legacy]

Incredible work. Thenks for sharing.

[@david25876]

Really beautiful work. Very nice.

[@Shockwave_App]

Beautiful craftsmanship!

[@davidmotisko4552]

Beautiful instrument. Bravo !

[@user-dz3go3qv4v]

The guitar looks great and sounds even greater, and the process of finishing is surprisingly pleasant!

[@patrickbrady8326]

Incredibly Beautiful!!

[@bobhewitt5047]

A true craftsman at work … beautiful creation

[@JohnnyGuitaristOfficial]

Such an awesome finished guitar!

[@dlmyrs]

That is beautiful!

[@fanmike0615]

You have my respect sir , a fantastic work by spectacular skill !

[@stevengaines9837]

Thanks for posting - I learned something ! 😃

[@paulmorrison9691]

Wow what a fine looking guitar thanks for sharing this with us I learned a lot

[@phillipswanson7642]

Beautiful!

[@edhead5296]

Beautiful guitar.... and the tone!! I best get saving 😀

[@xdoctorblindx]

Great video! Feel free to make these videos even longer - I could chill out to this for at least half an hour!

[@raphaellandon7218]

Magnifique, le vernis à la française fait effectivement de très belles finitions 👍💙

[@danieljackson6427]

Absolutely stunning 😍

[@manos6426]

Wow, you are truly an artist.

[@olderthandirt7023]

A true masterpiece !

[@benlogan430]

That’s top o the notch! Dang good stuff for certain!

[@philippedubreuil2406]

Magnifique!

[@matthewwilson3673]

Great work, good video editing

[@gericsoreda1589]

It's a genius work of art !!!

[@rainfieldmusic]

Beautiful and sounds sweet too!

[@michaelinglis8516]

Came out great! I did my first telecaster last year in a White nitro finish. I had planned on staining it but the blank I got ended up not being as visually appealing as I'd hoped. It's all mahogany except the fretboard which is maple. The mahogany on the neck actually looks great and has some flames running from the 3rd fret all the way up the rest of the board towards the body on the back of the neck. I learned a lot from my first complete from scratch build but overall I'm really happy with how it came out. But I'll certainly be using poly on my next build for color (if there is any) and especially for the clear. Maybe even a wipe on poly I'll make myself. The Nitro finish on the neck is excellent but the body is already showing a good amount of wear after only a year. And while I was fully aware of nitro being much less durable than poly I was expecting to get at least a couple years without much wear before it started naturally relicing. I was talking with some professional builders who say they often see checking with nitro before they even get it out of the shop. I guess if you want more durable nitro it needs to be pre cat? I was really tempted to touch up the areas with wear (mainly where my right arm runs on the corner edge of the lower bout) but if I do that it will be an endless pursuit. So I've just decided to let it naturally relic and enjoy it as such. And it's worth noting I was using the expensive colortone Nitro too from Stewmac. It came out really great it just hasnt held up well to getting played everyday a minimum of an hour. I also have used some of the cheaper Nitros and out of them the minwax nitro held up much better, ain't that some shit? I even got a much better spray from the min wax can tips then I did from any of my aftermarket montana cans tips or stock colortone tips. I wonder if that has something to do with why its held up much better. But anyways I also really like the idea of using shellac cause it has the repairability of nitro but is likely easier to touch up. But theres the downside of it not protecting the wood as much as say a hard thick polyurethane or epoxy would be. I've also experimented with using Cyanoacrylate Glue as a finish material on one of my fret leveling file handles. It actually looks and feels great, nice and thin nut hard and buffed out to high gloss rather easily compared to poly. Only thing is I imagine doing a large piece of work would be difficult and it would have to be done on small sections. Anyways, looking forward to more videos!

[@lizardopereira4416]

Stunning!!

[@anse.musick]

I really enjoyed this video ❤

[@MihaiSorohan]

It looks and sounds amazing.

[@petertate1292]

That was very cool, beautiful job. I've done a lot of finishing of wood work, one method of getting an even stain on certain woods that normally go splochy is called glue sizing where before you apply the stain, mix wood glue and water, mostly water and brush it on , let it dry and light sand. I don't know if this would work for you on the spruce tops given all the other steps you do but might be worth a try

[@martinspreiter8240]

Cant stop watshing it again and again. You build a Goddess. Thank you for sharing.

[@davidmccormack]

I'm the very happy purchaser of the very first of your KP-L5s, Isaac. After a year of playing she now sounds full and sweet and compares very favourably (actually a bit louder and sweeter...) alongside my 1947 Epiphone Emperor and my 1941 Gibson L7... in fact, she's my go-to guitar for practice and acoustic gigs. If anyone is in the vicinity of Banbury and would like to hear and test the guitar, please let me know and we'll arrange a meeting.

[@fluidalchemist68]

Outstanding!

[@paulolopes3726]

Great job 😁👏👏👏

[@YoureNowOnTV]

Nice! Thanks for sharing 😀👍

[@sirfultonbishop]

Fascinating!

[@L145channel.]

your work is amazing, I'm here to watch it until it's finished and I'm interested in your work, greetings from Indonesia. May your family always be given health s ❤️

[@fiscaldepegadinha4575]

Wonderful!!!

[@claymoregray8973]

It's so satisfying that one stucks stared watching this work of art : )

[@dalgguitars]

Beautiful.

[@1Ascanius]

Beautiful

[@blahblahsen1142]

I'm still amazed that the weird neck mounting holds solid. I 100% thought "That is gonna bend under tension and sound like crap" and then it just...worked. I dont know if he uses light gauge strings or if that is just a way stronger joint than i ever imagined but here we are and it works perfect. Learn something every day.

[@deandee8082]

gorgeous guitar sounds great too, I like the finish as well.. I'm looking for secret recipe Stradivarius used on old violin finishes..

[@thegram9207]

What a pleasure to see this. Exquisite workmanship. How about freshening up my Martin D 28? Any advice? Besides sending it to a luthier.

[@pedrohenriquemacur6303]

The best work its my eyes se.

[@picksalot1]

Beautiful results, and fascinating to see the process. Masterful finishing! And now I know why I never liked jellybeans. 😅

[@paulosergiorodriguesteixei691]

Beautifull!!!

[@nuclearwinter514]

I've always struggled with getting a beautiful, mirror like finish on my guitars and you made it look so effortless. Incredible work!

[@richsackett3423]

Shellac polishes up nice. It's not real durable and not particularly suited for guitar necks.

[@pihermoso11]

here's a video to inspire you.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHypgmt4acirbJY a good marble-like gloss finish requires a lot of work and patience

[@XPGaboM4]

Awesome !!!

[@markstone7142]

Dear Cranmer - a kind observation... you have +60k subscribers and only ~230 comments. Perhaps they are like me, they are just speechless! You have shown and taught me so much in a few minutes versus the KZbin trawling I've done for many months to try to find this same amazing outcome. I can see the parallels with the egg white to its use in grand master paintings as a stabilizer - intentional or not, this proves the use here is also to be considered in the same light. Many thanks, I really enjoy and appreciated your amazing art.

[@CranmerGuitars]

Thanks Mark, glad you found it useful 🙏

[@loosingparts6159]

The Bob Ross of guitar finishing. Felt like I had a buzz when it was over. That finish is stunning. I just told my wife she was eating bug poo on those jelly beans. Her reaction was epic.

[@Cjdanks448]

I told my wife the same thing lol

[@SonnyCider]

came out beautiful. I was leery of sanding across the grain in the beginning though.

[@panzerlieb]

Wow that neck really sits way above the sound board. I’ve read about doing something similar to this but I’ve never heard the finished results. Very interesting.

[@gentlerowdy]

gavent seen a skill parallel to this - amaizng

[@PJ-hn4cg]

A work of art my friend ! I always thought that any sunburst or flameburst finish was done with a guitar pick shaped template and a spray gun. ( Actually the mass produced ones are, ) but this is like a Rolls Royce and the result is magnificent ! The pronounced floating neck is unique too, producing just wonderful tone. How much in USD ?

[@paulneeds]

Well, if it can’t smell like nitro cellulose or shellac, lemon’s pretty good! Beautiful beautiful work sir - sounds gorgeous, looks stunning (although I’d prefer a lighter set of burst colours), and I adore your neck joint!

[@gregoryguitars6291]

I French polish almost every guitar I build. It's cool watching another version. Same results. Beautiful archtop work, man.

[@CranmerGuitars]

The fun thing about French polish is how many ways you can apply it. I don't think I've done it the same way twice!

[@gregoryguitars6291]

@@CranmerGuitars It seems that way. I employ a technique that I call, Polish polish, on account of my father having been born in Poland. Keep up the beautiful guitar work.

[@ducktape2425]

I've French polished two acoustic guitars so far but it never occurred for me to wax them afterward. I'll have to do it on my next one.

[@redrock1963]

That must have been very rewarding for you.

[@kmichaelp4508]

Beautiful pal 😬

[@k9insomniac783]

I’ve just built my first electric guitar using a highly figured yellow elm. I’ve spent a lot of time struggling with what finish to use to complete it, but after watching your video, I believe I’m sold on shellac. If my results are half as good as yours, I’ll consider it a success.

[@paulneeds]

It takes a lot of time to get a finish as good as this - an awful long time - but isn’t this result worth it!

[@brad42948]

Beautiful result, lovely tone. Which stains are you using? All water-based?

[@tchiksguitars]

you know what? We use the same air filter too, at this point, nothing surprises me anymore (also I learned so much in this video)

[@CranmerGuitars]

We might as well be the same person at this point. A wise man once said: "The most knowledge can be gained at the bottom of the KZbin description."

[@tchiksguitars]

@@CranmerGuitars hahaha you imbecile. I smell, but not beetle's poop. What's the plural of manchild anyway ?

[@vasileios-nektariosdosis9333]

great job! how many different colours did you use?

[@stefano.salari]

This is a real piece of art, congratulations! I was wondering if you use a pore filling process before starting the french polishing (pumice stone powder over a shellac base?) or if you go straight with this. Maybe with open-pore woods other than maple?

[@CranmerGuitars]

Thanks! Yep, for woods like mahogany I'll use 0000 pumice, but there's no point with maple since it's not very porous

[@mastertimb]

What sort of dye are you using here? I just ordered a bunch of tie dye powder to try my own burst on a kit guitar. Looks amazing btw!

[@mandohat]

My life goals now include owning a guitar like this

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

Wow!

[@mrhalvi]

Your guitar turned out very beautiful what kind of stains are you using

[@katfishkobain8809]

Nitrocellulose lacquer is used instrument finishing. M&M candy used it in confectionery sugar, adding a little water and sugar

[@brandongizowski4410]

You can tell this dude takes fuckin pride in that masterpiece.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

The Stradivarius also had crushed gem stones in the final finish coat .

[@BBGuitars]

Am I right in my understanding that in the french polishing stage that the shellac is then melting out the scratches in the previous coats that have been sanded flat?

[@likeakite]

Wow !!! No other words needed.....well, apart from those ones

[@azzuro195]

great job, such a satisfactory result. real beauty. i prefer thung oil tho'

[@SekorMegrez]

What grit did you use to sand the eggwhite? Also, in case of other types of wood, would you use pumice over a first coat of shellac to fill the pores?

[@AlexR860]

perfecto 👍👌

[@symonf1966]

Hi Isaac. Only just found this video. Nice build. Cake is good. Hope you're well and hope to come and see you next year, I have a vehicle again. Miss you buddy.

[@CranmerGuitars]

I was thinking of you when I wrote the part about cake 😉 Hope to come to Newark for the next graduation show!

[@antuanlamur5152]

Realmente preciosa.

[@Ramplcro]

Great video, really relaxing. A question- what pound cut are you using right after last stain (first shellac coat i presume) and how much color does it lift?

[@CranmerGuitars]

It's a 2 pound cut (I basically follow Dan Erlewine's method with some alterations.) The colour barely lifts - I'd say it's about the same amount as a rosewood back. Since the stain is water based, the alcohol doesn't reactivate it. I did try shellac on alcohol stain once for fun and it was a mess! A beautiful mess

[@chrisyoung8062]

That neck joint is very Parker like

[@stratocactus]

Nice French polish ! I use Renaissance Wax on my instruments after French polish, but it's tricky to apply and smells very bad. I may try yours ;) Can you remove it easily with naphta or white spirit ? I've been considering egg white for a while (a good luth maker friend talked me into it). I may try it on my next instrument. Thanks for sharing your process !

[@CranmerGuitars]

Thanks! I've tried Renaissance wax, but never been too happy with it (maybe I just don't know how to apply it!) I'm not so sure about the naphtha, although if you use it sparingly I'm sure it'd be fine. The egg white is worth a shot - it seemed to have a minor effect, and I'm really curious about using it as a grain filler

[@fredlevicious]

Wait wait ,you said me ,you no use vernis on this guitare ??? Gg man .great ,big great job dude👍👍👍👍