Finish

[photoshopdesigngeek]

What kind of finish does alembic use on the body neck and fretboard?  Is lacquer, poly, or nitro?  And does anybody know what kind.  If it's lacquer is it precat?
 
Thanks,  
Ryan

[dfung60]

If I remember the past discussions on this correctly, most modern Alembics have polyester finish.  Older instruments (mid 80's or so) were catalyzed polyurethane but this finish isn't as hard as polyurethane, so they don't stay as shiny.  I think non-gloss instruments might be polyurethane as well.  
 
The fingerboard on all Alembics is unfinished ebony, unless you custom ordered something else.

[kungfusheriff]

That's what I remember hearing, too. Some spots on the finish of my '82 are taking on a satin look, but the finish is plenty hard and there are no dents.

[dannobasso]

When I was going to refin an Essense, I first asked around locally. The builders I checked with did not want to touch the polyester. The Alembic treatment is what I opted for.  
In a fit of maddness a I had a local guy do a repair on my dragon 6. He said I really needed a fret job. I said ok. He put a finish on the neck (I guess something inexpensive) and it is now lifting, taking the dark pigment on the inlay with it. So to get it back to health I'll have to spend more money. So backto Alembic it will go.
Well at least I know its going to great people. dfung60 is spot on with the info. imho I prefer the polyester.

[chuck]

Ryan.
See Mica's last post of 3-8-07 for Alembics finishing procedure.
As for a glossy finish that is turning dull use a WATER BASED ultra fine auto paint compound.Make sure it has no petroleum products,silicones,ect.in it.When I say fine I mean it will not produce any dulling or swirl marks on a test piece of plexiglass or sheet acrilic.Use it sparingly and don't get carried away.
I use this procedure for refinishing gunstocks.
 
Chuck