Guitar Finishing Step-By-Step

First, let me say that this book really is a "must-have" for anyone doing or planning to do guitar finishes. Truly a wealth of good information on what I believe to be the most challenging and arcane aspect of guitar construction.

This would absolutley be a five-star book except for two things, and I see them as significant:

1. The book has a few glossy color pages in the middle (and they are GREAT), but a book like this DESPERATELY wants to be full-color throughout, with many more photo-examples of what to look for and avoid in guitar finishing projects. At $29.95, I think there's really no excuse for this book not to be full-color glossy.

2. This was clearly originally written as a book for folks doing nitrocellulose lacquer finishes. A good (not great) attempt has been made to incorporate tips and instructions for finishing with waterborne products, but it feels as though the information was shoe-horned into the most recent edition(s). It can be at times unclear which remarks pertain only to nitro, which pertain to waterborne, and what applies to both. As more and more small scale builders and hobbyists switch to waterborne finishes, this book needs to take the topic more seriously, perhaps splitting into two editions -- on for nitro, one for waterborne.

I hope this review was helpful, and I hope the authors will consider my suggestions when they work on the next edition!

I'm a novice,but I plan to start my own business building/finishing/repairing guitars!
This book is well written, easy to understand, and I'm doing some great looking work!
Thanks !

I just purchased your Guitar Finishing Step by Step.What an Eccellent book.I don't plan on doing any spray finishing but the section on stains and the recipes for two color stains was worth the price of the book for me.And if I do decide to ever do a spray finish with aerosols I'll have it covered.Thanks for a great book. I'll be using several of the recipes on current and future projects.

I received this book from my wife for christmas before my first guitar project, and now that I have done dozens of finishes on a variety of instruments, I never fail to refer to this great book. With step by step instructions it is a God send for the beginner, and a trusted companion for the established Luthier. With recipes, tips, step by step instruction, and color reference pages, I recommend this to anyone even thinking of finishing any woodworking project.

The definitive book for finishes. You can dive deep in the finishing world, or following complete and easy schedules. You won't miss a detail with this book.