(04-24-2024, 07:31 AM)AlanSam Wrote: SOLIDBODY59 - Currently the SB59/v like all the 'v' (aka as antique classic) versions has the relicing always associated with this finish. One of the reasons why the shellac (violin varnish) guitars were relicd was because the finish was fragile and likely to mark up pretty quickly and this wear would be less likely to stand out like a sore thumb on a pre-distressed guitar. Personally I've always loved Eastman's distressed aesthetic whilst acknowledging it's not everyones' cup of tea. The 'tv' finish has a truetone varnish - a kind of eurathene finish, and not thus far (afaik) relicd. Have a look at Antique Varnish: models and specs. on the Eastman guitar site - https://www.eastmanguitars.com/On the subject of the antique classic ('v') finish, I recently spoke to people at Max guitars and TFOA in the Netherlands regarding my interest in buying a E10ss/v or E20ss/v. One of those I spoke to has known and on occasion worked with Pepijn 't Hart (Eastman's current global product development manager) over a period of 20 years and he assured me that the antique classic finish on the E10SS/v and E20SS/v is still shellac (violin varnish). He informed me that my belief that these guitars were finished with nitro in conjunction with shellac is incorrect – no nitro has ever been used on the E10ss/v or E20ss/v models, solely shellac.
Thank you for the clarification and the thorough explanation! I must say I'm not an expert (yet) on Eastman guitars, and your comment really clears things up for me. The only Eastman I've ever tried was a SB59/v redburst, with a shellac finish and relic. I really like this type of finish; it makes it look very natural. Best regards.
