07-01-2012, 10:39 PM
I just managed to talk somebody out of using danish oil on a rather valuable 1920's gramophone. When they found out that the slowly crazing shellac finish was 90% of the appeal to collectors and hence a good 60% of the items value they had a serious rethink.
I wouldn't use the stuff on anything unless it's a suitable type of finish say on a wartime civilian utility set. Most 50's were simple stain and cellulose with a high gloss which is easy enough to duplicate with modern varnish, back into the 30's shellac was the norm but way back into the 20's and very early 30's my experience shows a multitude of different oil finishes. Black ebonite was without fail just oiled and tends to dry out. I have used various finishes on guitars over the years and I have to say without exception cellulose is the hardest to do well.
I wouldn't use the stuff on anything unless it's a suitable type of finish say on a wartime civilian utility set. Most 50's were simple stain and cellulose with a high gloss which is easy enough to duplicate with modern varnish, back into the 30's shellac was the norm but way back into the 20's and very early 30's my experience shows a multitude of different oil finishes. Black ebonite was without fail just oiled and tends to dry out. I have used various finishes on guitars over the years and I have to say without exception cellulose is the hardest to do well.
