MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
FIFES, FLUTES AND RECORDERS
The concept for finishing these instruments is to provide some degree of moisture protection without building a surface of oil. Polymerized Tung Oil Sealer is usually the product of choice. The instruments are usually placed in a container of oil to soak the wood with the oil for a period of time then they are withdrawn wiped and racked to cure. This offers adequate protection while preserving resonance.
DRUMS
Drums are finished with either the Polymerized Tung Oil or the Murdoch line. If the goal is to optimize resonance, then the penetrating, hand-rubbed Polymerized Tung Oil is the preferred finish. It keeps the wood more supple and responsive with minimal surface build. Future maintenance coats of Polymerized Tung Oil will fill in any scratches and help sustain the resonance of the wood.
Some drums require a highly polished, mirror-like, glossy appearance that needs to be extremely durable. The Murdoch line offers the best approach for achieving that goal. Murdoch’s Hard Sealer applied as the initial coats enhances the gorgeous grain definition that is often characteristic of the wood species chosen for the drum. The final appearance is produced by the choice of topcoat. Murdoch’s Hard Oil facilitates a wiped application. Maximum protection and mirror like finish is better achieve with the Murdoch’s Table Top Gloss or Uralkyd 500 Gloss.
GUITARS, MANDOLINS, UKELELE
Much like the discussion above regarding drums, the guitar and mandolin makers either favor the softer resonance of the Polymerized Tung Oil or the harder, surface build of the Murdoch’s line. The electric guitar builders favor the brilliant, high polish and maximum durability of the Murdoch line. Murdoch’s Hard Sealer followed by Murdoch’s Table Top or Uralkyd 500 Gloss fill that requirement best. A spray application is often the preferred application process and the Murdoch’s line is well suited to a sprayed technique
The more resonance required by the instrument then the Polymerized Tung Oil becomes the desired choice for finish. The hand-rubbed, penetrating oil patina finish is easy to apply and maintain and tends not to interfere with the resonant quality of the instrument.
PIANOS
The Murdoch’s line is the only finish we suggest to achieve an alternate finish that meets the superior gloss and mirror-like finish of a French Polish with improved durability and hardness. One of our clients well known in the piano refinishing world has developed a technique for applying the Murdoch’s products that was included in the November 2004 Piano Technicians Journal. He describes the process step-by-step, click here to access an authorized copy of the article.