FINISH

The finish on a handmade instrument is extremely
important.  It must protect the instrument from damage and inclement
 conditions, but it must also allow the guitar to vibrate freely.  I have found that the actual finish used (e.g. shellac, urethane, lacquer) is not as important as keeping the finish very thin. French polishing with shellac is the traditional finish for a fine classical
guitar.  This finish is enticing acoustically as it is applied very thin
and it is a very flexible finish.  The problem is that it does little
to protect the instrument from damage.  Most guitars finished with
shellac will need to be refinished at some point because the
player’s arm will eventually ware through the finish on the lower
 bout.  Shellac will do little to protect the instrument from any
unforeseen accidents. 

I use a hybrid finishing method on my instruments.  I use a base
coat of shellac, French polished in the traditional style.  It is a
beautiful finish and it makes an excellent surface on which other
finishes can be applied.  After a thin coat of shellac has been applied I add 2 to 3 very thin coats of a catalyzed urethane.  Urethane is
very flexible, durable, and bonds extremely well with shellac. 
The result is a very thin finish that is extremely durable, beautiful,
 and acoustically sensible.  This finish will never need to be
reapplied or repaired if proper care is taken. This is my preference for finishing.