I buffed out the satin finish on my Martin 000-15SM

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by icuker

Not to hijack but maybe in another thread tell us about your stereo. Looks cool too. Nice job on the guitar as well.

In the rack, top to bottom:

resto-modded c.1963 Acoustic Research AT-TX (early AR-XA)
Rotel RCD-1072 CD player
Rega Brio-R integrated amp
Schiit Modi 3 DAC
Schiit Magni 3 headphone amp
Sennheiser/Massdrop D6XX cans
Nakamichi CR1a cassette deck
Monster power center (aka a glorified power strip)

To the sides...
'59 Fisher X-100 integrated tube amp (not in use presently)
Otari MX 8080 switchable half/quarter-track reel-to-reel
Spendor SP3/1R2 speakers

[Rosewood99]

I did something similar with my OM-15 but I used McGuire's scratch repair.

[DownUpDave]

Originally Posted by bufflehead

Okay, here's the plan, DownUpDave. You do yours next, and post the results. If your 000-15m comes out as nice as the OP, I'll do mine.

Oh yea the old, show me yours and I'll show you mine trick

[mercy]

The polished satin you did is my favorite finish. I dont like gloss but I hate satin that Martin,etc put on their guitars but I love the buffed out satin. I think you must have a nitro finish to make it work though. Dont hesitate you guys out there just dont use of be light with the sandpaper, you dont need it. Yes it wont be a gloss finish by as Ive said 2 times, its better than gloss.

[Matt G]

That looks great! I love open pore finishes. Having owned "glossy" finishes and open pore satin finishes, I would pay extra to get open pore, especially on the neck.

Yours looks really good!

[bobster7]

Looks great!

[maxtheaxe]

Nice work! This has obvious benefits as long as one doesn't go through the finish to bare wood. I did the same to my Larrivee L-03 and I'm very pleased with the appearance and the reduced handling noise; it brought out some details and depth in the grain that were covered by the satin finish.

The only other caveat besides being careful not to overdo it is that often, they don't sand the wood as nicely as they would for a gloss finish, and it might reveal some sander swirls, rough sanding. Generally, this is why satin finishes tend to be less expensive...less labor involved; usually have to look very closely to see it, though.

[SlopeD]

they should make a higher end gloss version of these

[TDavis]

Wow...I've shied away from Martin all hog guitars because of the satin finishes. I like the tone, but I hate the satin finish. Total deal breaker.

The fact that the SM has a 1.725" nut width, and the fact that the satin finish can be buffed out...hmmmm. It's enough to change my mind.

Thanks for the thread!

[vindibona1]

Such a big improvement. Congratulations!

I've always felt that flat satin finishes looked cheap. Perhaps that's because I know from years of photographic print finishing, putting down a satin finish rather than gloss reduces the labor time by 80% and takes far more care.

[Blind Dog]

Looks great!

I've done three satins now. An SG Fifties Trib', a Gnome, and a Larrivée.

The satin looks nice, imo, but I tend to buff spots, inadvertently, due to flannel shirts & excessive play. If I want an even finish, I end up having to polish. All mine have turned out well. Despite some videos, and many cautionary posts warning against such folly, I'm very happy with the end result.

It's not something I recommend for everybody, but if you're somebody who finishes what you start, you're patient, and you love your guitar--it's a day of listening to tunes, watching tv, and a worthwhile imo improvement.

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by beatcomber

The trick is knowing when to stop.

Oh, that's easy. You keep going until you see bare wood then do a little less. Just ask those who have sanded/buffed through to bare wood.

[jpd]

Oh oh! Looks really good, but there goes your warranty?

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by jpd

Oh oh! Looks really good, but there goes your warranty?

But... it's just normal play wear, right?

[Kh1967]

Looks great - well done!