Finish for vihuela

[andrew edwards]

Would FP shellac be to soft for the neck of a vihuela, would the fret gut mark it.

What finish would you recommend?

[Rodrigo Mateus]

I've been using shellac on the necks. Sometimes frets mark, and sometimes mark up the wood. I have considered it a normal event.

[Mark Day]

I also have used shellac for every neck I have made and have not had an issue with gut frets making marks. I think the kind of wood used would have as much to do with it. My vihuela has a neck of Sapelli. I also made instruments with metal frets and always use shellac for the neck because I like the feel of it. Glossy necks make my hands stick, so I don't apply as many coats to the back of the neck as I do to the back and sides.