Does anyone else prefer satin rather than gloss?

[emtsteve]

I don't like how my arm or hand sticks to a gloss finish.

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

This would make an interesting general poll.

I like that most satin finishes are thinner and what that does for tone short term. But optically, the depth of wood grain is always enhanced by clear finish.

Over years and decades of playwear and lacquer off gassing, a good nitro gloss finish catches up tonewise and looks incredible. A super thin, worn gloss finish has my vote. And a good worn down Gibson burst finish is about the most romantic look there is.

I did a poll sometime back. Voting is still open.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=615345

My favourite is Semi-gloss (like Taylor’s Silent Satin on their Builders’ Edition). Next is Satin. Then comes Gloss. In terms of looks, I usually like Gloss.

[mcmars]

Less is more when it comes to tone and finish. But it is not that simple as thinking of 2 choices, so many types of finish, so many ways to apply and sand and finish or rub. Some are are really flat, like Iris and very thin. Some are very heavy, like cheaper poly, etc

But personally I prefer a flat or satin over shiny and glossy anything, car, wall paint, guitar,.....

[Straw]

With regard to aesthetic, I prefer satin. A gloss finish always seems to catch and reflect light. It looks flashy to me--the opposite of an old time fingerpicker's style.
I do, however, appreciate that gloss might provide greater protection when playing in short sleeves. I wonder if it's this protection, or just tradition, or a majority's real preference for gloss that makes gloss the default, especially given that gloss is more labor intensive and therefore more expensive.
Maybe one day more luthiers will be offering satin finish guitars at a lower price--that would be a double win for me!

[Marty C]

I love the look of satin on dark guitars. Especially sunburst. Vintage vibe and does not show finger prints or marking near as bad a gloss. A gloss sunburst or black just looks dirty all the time unless it is well taken care of and polished often.

[birkenweg42]

Though I generally prefer a glossy finish on my guitars I love the Lowden look. In the end it depends on the quality of the finish.

[roadbiker]

I agree. My Guild D50 has a nitro finish, including on the neck. After playing a while, the neck tends to get a little "sticky" from whatever sweat and oils come out of my hand. And I don't have sweaty or oily skin. Although I prefer a glossy finish, it tends to get dirty if you don't stay on top of it, especially dark colored guitars. I clean my guitars or at least give them a quick wipe after I play them and put them back in their case. I photographed a beautiful, sunburst Martin D28 for a friend of mine a few years ago. The guitar was new. He's a pretty sweaty guy and when I got the guitar is was a mess. I had to thoroughly clean it before I photographed it.

[tonyo]

I far prefer a satin finish over gloss. Don't have to worry about cleaning fingerprints and such.

[sergeko]

Originally Posted by MIGAS79

I love how notes seem to erupt out of the satin guitars I have had. I do worry a bit about the obvious wear marks developing.

My Larrivee 00-40 smell could be made into a candle. Vanilla and wood. I love it. The Larrivee satin neck feel is remarkable.

My J-45 sounded sort of encased in plastic for two years but has really started to sound more woody of late.

I guess I like both. Satin on a smaller guitar sitting comfortably on a couch or recliner is good stuff.

I also love my Larrivee's satin finish. So that's where the vanilla scent comes from ? I love it :-)

[Jay5150]

I like the satin finish on my Martin CEO. It is shinier and “flatter” than on my 00-15 or Norman. I also like that is it really easy to clean up. However, I still think a gloss finish looks better and is easier to repair when scratched.

[musicman1951]

I prefer satin, but I have both and it's not a matter of great importance to me. It would not factor into a purchase decision one way or the other.

[FrankR]

I'm with you. I definitely prefer satin. Just feels right to me.

[dnf777]

I like satin, but its not a must-have or deal breaker. Id like to believe the new nano-thin finishes enhance tone, but my glossy D-35 blows them all out of the water, so much for that.

Gotta say that Fender’s new “satinized poly” finish they put on the back of their necks is the smoothest, easiest playing finish by far, Ive ever played in 50 years. And thats right out of the box. Not sure if Taylor uses a similar finish on the AD series and others?

[rmoretti49]

I like Satin finishes, but they have their downsides. There is not much you can do to "fix" a satin finish that has lost luster.

[Glennwillow]

Does anyone else prefer satin rather than gloss?

No, I like a gloss finish.

- Glenn