Argus_Floyd
New Member
I own a PRS SE CE24 Standard Satin and love it. So I am curious to know, what exactly is a "satin finish"? Is it just less coats of semi-gloss? Or a specific sealer? Etc. Anyone know?
Exactly what is a "satin finish"?
- Thread starter Argus_Floyd
- Start date
Technical stuff:
Finishes are graded flat, satin or gloss on the amount of light they reflect. If memory serves, a flat finish is around 10% reflective or less; a satin finish is about 30% reflective, and a gloss finish is 80% reflective or more. Unfortunately, I can't remember when/where I learned this trivia, so I can't add a link.
These differences in reflectivity are the result of chemicals in the paint. They aren't really interchangeable. You can, however polish a satin finish to be shinier, but it still won't be as reflective as gloss.
A lot of time is saved with a satin finish; it only needs a couple of coats of paint. It's one reason that inexpensive models are often satin, though you see plenty of very expensive satin finish guitars as well.
A gloss finish uses about 3 times as much paint as satin, because each coat needs to be sanded and/or polished, and that removes paint. As a result, the gloss finish has to be thicker. More coats also mean more man-hours, and more drying time between coats. So they cost more to produce.
Nitro coats are generally thinner than poly, though the UV cured poly finishes are supposed to be as thin. A lot of people think a thin finish improves the tone. I tend to agree, as does Paul R. Smith, but it's hard to prove scientifically.
On the other hand, it's also hard to disprove scientifically, so if you think what you think, you're safe! Few, if any, people can prove you wrong!
Finishes are graded flat, satin or gloss on the amount of light they reflect. If memory serves, a flat finish is around 10% reflective or less; a satin finish is about 30% reflective, and a gloss finish is 80% reflective or more. Unfortunately, I can't remember when/where I learned this trivia, so I can't add a link.
These differences in reflectivity are the result of chemicals in the paint. They aren't really interchangeable. You can, however polish a satin finish to be shinier, but it still won't be as reflective as gloss.
A lot of time is saved with a satin finish; it only needs a couple of coats of paint. It's one reason that inexpensive models are often satin, though you see plenty of very expensive satin finish guitars as well.
A gloss finish uses about 3 times as much paint as satin, because each coat needs to be sanded and/or polished, and that removes paint. As a result, the gloss finish has to be thicker. More coats also mean more man-hours, and more drying time between coats. So they cost more to produce.
Nitro coats are generally thinner than poly, though the UV cured poly finishes are supposed to be as thin. A lot of people think a thin finish improves the tone. I tend to agree, as does Paul R. Smith, but it's hard to prove scientifically.
On the other hand, it's also hard to disprove scientifically, so if you think what you think, you're safe! Few, if any, people can prove you wrong!
Argus_Floyd
New Member
Ok, good info.Technical stuff:
Finishes are graded flat, satin or gloss on the amount of light they reflect. If memory serves, a flat finish is around 10% reflective or less; a satin finish is about 30% reflective, and a gloss finish is 80% reflective or more. Unfortunately, I can't remember when/where I learned this trivia, so I can't add a link.
These differences in reflectivity are the result of chemicals in the paint. They aren't really interchangeable. You can, however polish a satin finish to be shinier, but it still won't be as reflective as gloss.
A lot of time is saved with a satin finish; it only needs a couple of coats of paint. It's one reason that inexpensive models are often satin, though you see plenty of very expensive satin finish guitars as well.
A gloss finish uses about 3 times as much paint as satin, because each coat needs to be sanded and/or polished, and that removes paint. As a result, the gloss finish has to be thicker. More coats also mean more man-hours, and more drying time between coats. So they cost more to produce.
Nitro coats are generally thinner than poly, though the UV cured poly finishes are supposed to be as thin. A lot of people think a thin finish improves the tone. I tend to agree, as does Paul R. Smith, but it's hard to prove scientifically.
On the other hand, it's also hard to disprove scientifically, so if you think what you think, you're safe! Few, if any, people can prove you wrong!
But this still doesn't get down to the nitty gritty, as they say. I would like to know, what is the sealer that was used on the bodies of these SE CE24 Standard Satin guitars? Nitro? Poly? Something else?
I'd say it gets down to the gritty. Maybe not the nitty. Because it answers the 'what is a satin finish' question.
The sealer on a satin finish is pee.
"No, that's what was used to set the lichen dye on Harris Tweed."
"Then what do they use to seal the wood on satin finish guitars?"
"Nose oil. You have to take she shine off a lot of noses to seal a satin finish guitar."
"Seriously?"
"I'm 100% serious! I'm always serious when I make up crazy stuff. But the Harris Tweed thing is real...OK, if you really want to know, it's a mixture of camel boogers and bulldog drool."
"At least it's not poop."
"They only scent the stuff with poop."
"Have you no shame?"
"No, we're out of shame Might I interest you in some guilt? We're having a Black Friday sale on guilt, very special pricing."
"Why yes, I would be interested in some guilt. I've always wanted some, but never could find any at a decent price."
"Well, you know, with guilt there's always a price to pay. It's why they say if you have to ask the price of guilt, shame on you."
Last edited:
Argus_Floyd
New Member
I'll take my Python doses via the telly and not the forums, thank you very much. Good day sir, to you and your very dead bird.I'd say it gets down to the gritty. Maybe not the nitty. Because it answers the 'what is a satin finish' question.
The sealer on a satin finish is pee.
"No, that's what was used to set the lichen dye on Harris Tweed."
"Then what do they use to seal the wood on satin finish guitars?"
"Nose oil. You have to take she shine off a lot of noses to seal a satin finish guitar."
"Seriously?"
"I'm 100% serious! I'm always serious when I make up crazy stuff. But the Harris Tweed thing is real...OK, if you really want to know, it's a mixture of camel boogers and bulldog drool."
"At least it's not poop."
"They only scent the stuff with poop."
"Have you no shame?"
"No, we're out of shame Might I interest you in some guilt? We're having a Black Friday sale on guilt, very special pricing."
"Why yes, I would be interested in some guilt. I've always wanted some, but never could find any at a decent price."
"Well, you know, with guilt there's always a price to pay. It's why they say if you have to ask the price of guilt, shame on you."
DISTORT6
NJ Devil
No, SATIN...
Oops.
dogrocketp
I drank the PRS kool aid, and it was tasty!
When it comes to absurdity, Les is more.
Stephen J.
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2020
- Messages
- 673
Over twenty years ago, I worked for an acoustic manufacturer that offered guitars in gloss and matte finishes. I was told the gloss guitars were easier to produce than the matte finish.
tdroid
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2023
- Messages
- 178
It's he best finish there is. If my SE HBII had a satin neck, the guitar would be perfect. However, it's so damn pretty, I'd never take a scotch brite to it. Thankfully, my hands don't typically get sweaty nor sticky.
One of my cheapest guitars, and Epiphone Traditional Pro (I) has a matte finish on the neck. It cost me $300 and is still my favorite neck.
One of my cheapest guitars, and Epiphone Traditional Pro (I) has a matte finish on the neck. It cost me $300 and is still my favorite neck.
dogrocketp
I drank the PRS kool aid, and it was tasty!
Try car wax to improve the neck feel. I use Meguiar’s.
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