July 23, 2008

Hi folks,

I pulled this information about varnish finishes from the Collings website under the F.A.Q. section:


"How is the varnish finish option different from the standard lacquer finish?

Varnish is a softer and therefore more flexible finish material. While there are subtle tonal advantages to the varnish finish, this option is not for everyone. Unlike lacquer, the process for applying varnish is not conducive to "finish touch-ups", meaning that we cannot repair some minor imperfections such as small pinholes, bubbles, or sinks. While we've always taken pride in our high standard for fit and finish, we cannot produce varnish instruments to the level of cosmetic "perfection" as we can with our lacquer finish instruments. The varnish finish has a beautiful, rich luster, but may include very small imperfections when put under close examination.

Additionally, the softer finish is not as protective as the harder lacquer finish. The alkyd resin-based varnish finish is very slow to cure and can be relatively soft on new instruments. The finish will continue to harden as the instrument ages, but new varnish instruments can be vulnerable to scratches, dings, and imprinting. By its very nature, varnish can shrink, wrinkle, and/or dull over time and is not likely to maintain a "new" apperance as well as lacquer instruments. With that said, the varnish finish allows the instrument to vibrate more freely and can produce a more responsive instrument with a greater depth of tone."


God bless,
"louisiana"

louisiana,

Thanks for the Great Info....

I just bought a used (May of 2006 build) Collings D1A Varnish. I do not know how the guy did it, but the top is absolutely flawless, save for one very minor pick scratch in the upper bout, treble side. I mean there is not even one indentation at all on the top. I would assume it has pretty much cured, and it looks as good or better than any laquer guitar I have ever seen as far as Luster, Depth and Shine.

It does not seem fragile to me, and wipes down perfectly.....I never tire of Admiring the Collings Varnish Finish on this Guitar.

I am not a professional, but the Varnish on my Guitar is so deep and beautiful, and I have not experienced any of the possible attributes of the Varnish....EXCEPT THE AWESOME SOUND!

Thanks,
Mike

As a former varnish owner, and owner in waiting- and waiting- I can only say varnish is worth the price and worth the wait. But you better be patient. The tone, to me, is a transformation that takes the already stellar Collings sound to a new level. Unmistakably different. Does it ding a little easier? Sure. If you run a museum, take that into account. A player shouldn't worry about it. I've heard well kept older guitars criticized because they don't have "enough mojo", meaning they aren't beaten up enough. Thus, the Fender relic process, and a crime against God and nature. Or not. tom

With all that I said above.....I have not found it necessary to baby my Collings Varnish Guitar!

I agree with sonoman....

MRT

I purchased my varnish OM1A used. I believe it's also a 2006 vintage. Sides, back, neck, & headstock are pristine. The top has about a 2" section below the pick guard that imagine is "case burn". I think that's the correct terminology. There are assorted pick marks and tiny, tiny impressions that I presume were made by a K&M Helli guitar stand. You've got to hold the guitar at odd angles to the light to even see the marks.

Do I care? Only a little. When I'm playing, I neither see them nor think of anything but how great the guitar plays and sounds. The OM1A will be with me for as long as it takes to locate the brother or sister of tom's Alien.

Alan

Ok, Ok we've all heard the great attributes of varnish but tell me: if I were to stand on the tarmac in the middle of Death Valley in August right under a hole in the ozone layer and there was at that moment a major solar flare that unloaded many bushels of UV radiation then how would your varnish hold up?...answer me that.

As I said, if the UV were accompanied by Aliens, the varnish would disappear.

Alan

quote:

With that said, the varnish finish allows the instrument to vibrate more freely and can produce a more responsive instrument with a greater depth of tone."

Indeed.

I've played mine for all it's worth and I can't say that I've found it more fragile than lacquer. However, I do try (sometimes without success), to make my pick hit the strings more than the wood. If the boys in Austin say it's more delicate than it must be so I do know that the thing sounds amazing and given the choice all of my future guitars will be dressed in varnish without a doubt.

quote:

I do know that the thing sounds amazing and given the choice all of my future guitars will be dressed in varnish without a doubt.

Ditto.......Amen Brother!!!!!!!!!!!

MRT

BTW, that (the FAQ) is not new info to folks who've bought new Varnish gits from Collings. Mine came with a flyer that said just that. I've had mine since Nov. 07, and I don't baby it. From a looks standpoint, this OM is as sweet as they come. Eye candy? You bet. Will it bum me out if it shows a little more playware than its Lacquer cousins over time? Not a problem. I'd be suspicious of any great guitar that didn't have some honest playware

Playin's the thing, and tone is King. The tone on my OM1ACut Varnish continues to put a smile on my face every time I play it, and its got some very strong competition from my McAlister OM-28 Vintage Series and Bourgeois OM-150. Play on Garth....

If you're on the tarmac in Death Valley in August, the varnish is the least of your problems, son. And the ozone holes tend to be polar, although the whole planet is gettin' toasty. At 120 degrees, you better have a lotta watta and a bigass hat, or the varnish won't be the only thing melting. Travel at night. And watch those aliens. Mine has taken over my living room. Insidious, those Aliens. tom

collingscowboy.....I've got your answer......
VERY WELL, THANK YOU! HA! HA! LOL......MRT