About French Polish, Maintenance instructions
French Polish is preferred by many instrument makers and musicians.
One of the biggest reasons is because it is such of a thin coat, it is the only
finish that does not technically polymerize, is repaired very easily, tradition,
it is not toxic to people or the environment, it lets the instrument breathe & age
and of course does not inhibit the instrument’s sound like other finishes sometimes do.
The downsides of this finish are they are VERY time consuming to apply,
they are so thin they damage more easily than other finishes, since it is
applied by hand the polish is hard to get into corners (this is how you usually
can tell a French polished instrument from one that is not), and require more
maintenance. They also do not have the “melted plastic” look that others have, I
personally think the polish is more beautiful, it works with the wood instead of
making it something it is not (melted plastic).
Handling: you must be extra careful with this type of finish, but if damaged it
is easily fixed! Maintenance can simply be done with a soft rag (such as viva
paper towels by Kleenex) and Novus plastic polish #2. Simply remove
the strings (optional), apply a small amount of Novus #2 to the towel, rub it on the
instrument until it is dry and with a new towel buff the residue off. Do this
whenever the instrument seems dull.
French Polish is preferred by many instrument makers and musicians.
One of the biggest reasons is because it is such of a thin coat, it is the only
finish that does not technically polymerize, is repaired very easily, tradition,
it is not toxic to people or the environment, it lets the instrument breathe & age
and of course does not inhibit the instrument’s sound like other finishes sometimes do.
The downsides of this finish are they are VERY time consuming to apply,
they are so thin they damage more easily than other finishes, since it is
applied by hand the polish is hard to get into corners (this is how you usually
can tell a French polished instrument from one that is not), and require more
maintenance. They also do not have the “melted plastic” look that others have, I
personally think the polish is more beautiful, it works with the wood instead of
making it something it is not (melted plastic).
Handling: you must be extra careful with this type of finish, but if damaged it
is easily fixed! Maintenance can simply be done with a soft rag (such as viva
paper towels by Kleenex) and Novus plastic polish #2. Simply remove
the strings (optional), apply a small amount of Novus #2 to the towel, rub it on the
instrument until it is dry and with a new towel buff the residue off. Do this
whenever the instrument seems dull.
Instrument care
-One of the biggest owner responsibilities is maintaining the finish as described above.
- Humidity control, I build the instruments in an environment between 65° and 75° farenheit. The humidity is around 45% to 55% relative humidity. It is best kept in this environment, or if it is taken out, leave it in the case for as long as possible so it can adjust to the new temperature/ humidity.
-Do not play or leave in direct sunlight.
- Store in case. Not leaning on an outside wall, next to a fireplace, heater vent, a/c unit, etc.
- Take some pressure off of strings if sitting for long periods of time.
-One of the biggest owner responsibilities is maintaining the finish as described above.
- Humidity control, I build the instruments in an environment between 65° and 75° farenheit. The humidity is around 45% to 55% relative humidity. It is best kept in this environment, or if it is taken out, leave it in the case for as long as possible so it can adjust to the new temperature/ humidity.
-Do not play or leave in direct sunlight.
- Store in case. Not leaning on an outside wall, next to a fireplace, heater vent, a/c unit, etc.
- Take some pressure off of strings if sitting for long periods of time.
Instrument maker learns from teacher
By Jim Carney
BeaconJournal staff writer
CUYAHOGA FALLS: Chance encounters can change everything
Joe Heindel walked into a Kent State University art classroom in
2001 ready to learn.
The professor, Doug Unger, was captivating. “He had me locked
in,” Heindel recalled.
But after class, Heindel checked his schedule and realized he
was in the wrong room.
He liked Unger so much, he tried to change his schedule but
wasn’t allowed. And unfortunately, this would be Unger’s last year,
so there were no other opportunities.
In the classroom, anyway.
Several years later, Heindel, who was doing computer design
work, was dissatisfied with life’s direction and was praying for change. He
walked into Doug’s Dinner Bucket in Boston Township one day in 2007.
There, eating breakfast, was the former art professor.
They struck up a conversation, and Heindel learned Unger had a
new occupation: building banjos and mandolins. Sensing some interest,
Unger invited Heindel to stop by his home studio in Peninsula.
When Heindel walked into Unger’s house a few weeks later, he was
transformed.
“I was blown away” by Unger’s artistry and craftsmanship,
Heindel said. “I thought. ‘Man, I can get into this.’ ”
The seed was planted.
Heindel had played guitar since he was a boy, so he decided to
“give wood a shot.” He had a large chunk of oak from a tree that had
fallen in his backyard in Stow.
With additional visits and encouragement from Unger, he made a
slide guitar for local guitarist Freddy Hill.
Unger liked what he saw.
Heindel’s next instrument was a violin for his girlfriend, Beth Canfield.
In 2008, he made four guitars while seeking tutelage from Unger.
“He taught me that everything is art, from art work, to your
studio, to your relationships,” Heindel said. “It’s all art.”
Heindel tried to pay Unger for the help, but the answer was
always no. “He won’t let me pay for a damn thing.”
Unger was impressed with Heindel from the beginning.
“Joe has an amazing brain,” he said. “He has an artist’s skill,
which is amazing, and he is a workaholic, and you can’t beat that.”
Unger took Heindel on a visit to Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Mich., a firm that
sells Unger’s instruments online. Now they sell Heindel’s instruments, too.
Unger, 69, said that he retired after 35 years of teaching, and
that that was his intention — to retire — but Heindel was “kind of hard to say ‘no’ to.”
And as for being paid, he said: “I just want to help people who
are interested.”
Unger learned his instrument-making skills on his own. About 35
years ago, he borrowed a banjo from a friend. When the friend wanted the banjo
returned, he challenged Unger: “You’re an artist, make one.”
So, he did.
Unger now is widely known in the music world for his intricately
designed artistic wood carvings and engraved pearl inlays. He has won
recognition for his work, including the Ohio Heritage Award from the state of
Ohio in 2005 and a National Endowment for the Arts award in 1993.
His banjos and mandolins sell for $4,500 to $10,000.
“The thing about a banjo that is different than a painting is
that when you make a banjo and somebody gets it, the journey starts for the
banjo,” he said. When someone purchases a painting, he said, “the journey is
over for the painting.”
He said he loves the idea that his instruments are played around the world.
“They are better than we are. They are more together than I am.
They are more beautiful than I am. They are unlimiting. I am limiting,” Unger said.
And the business of Unger’s protege continues to flourish.
Heindel and Canfield were married last summer, and for the women
who made the wedding dress — she plays the ukulele — Heindel made her an
instrument.
Now he has requests for ukuleles.
Heindel, 30, and his wife moved this year to Cuyahoga Falls,
where he makes instruments full time in his garage.
He said he has made about 30 instruments since his journey
began, he said.
And he is passing along the goodwill he received from Unger.
He is encouraging and helping his friend, Greg Guarneri, who is
developing his own line of guitars. Guarneri visits Heindel’s studio to watch
and help.
Heindel said he believes God has been instrumental, so to speak,
in taking him on this path.
“I am going to do what I think I am called to do, and where that
leads me, I am going to let it lead me on,” he said.
For more on Heindel Guitars, go to www.heindelguitars.com or
email him at [email protected] or call 330-400-4481.
For more on Doug Unger go to
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSbhYImgCGQ.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or at
[email protected].
For full article and pictures please visit http://www.ohio.com/news/local/instrument-maker-learns-from-teacher-1.247226
By Jim Carney
BeaconJournal staff writer
CUYAHOGA FALLS: Chance encounters can change everything
Joe Heindel walked into a Kent State University art classroom in
2001 ready to learn.
The professor, Doug Unger, was captivating. “He had me locked
in,” Heindel recalled.
But after class, Heindel checked his schedule and realized he
was in the wrong room.
He liked Unger so much, he tried to change his schedule but
wasn’t allowed. And unfortunately, this would be Unger’s last year,
so there were no other opportunities.
In the classroom, anyway.
Several years later, Heindel, who was doing computer design
work, was dissatisfied with life’s direction and was praying for change. He
walked into Doug’s Dinner Bucket in Boston Township one day in 2007.
There, eating breakfast, was the former art professor.
They struck up a conversation, and Heindel learned Unger had a
new occupation: building banjos and mandolins. Sensing some interest,
Unger invited Heindel to stop by his home studio in Peninsula.
When Heindel walked into Unger’s house a few weeks later, he was
transformed.
“I was blown away” by Unger’s artistry and craftsmanship,
Heindel said. “I thought. ‘Man, I can get into this.’ ”
The seed was planted.
Heindel had played guitar since he was a boy, so he decided to
“give wood a shot.” He had a large chunk of oak from a tree that had
fallen in his backyard in Stow.
With additional visits and encouragement from Unger, he made a
slide guitar for local guitarist Freddy Hill.
Unger liked what he saw.
Heindel’s next instrument was a violin for his girlfriend, Beth Canfield.
In 2008, he made four guitars while seeking tutelage from Unger.
“He taught me that everything is art, from art work, to your
studio, to your relationships,” Heindel said. “It’s all art.”
Heindel tried to pay Unger for the help, but the answer was
always no. “He won’t let me pay for a damn thing.”
Unger was impressed with Heindel from the beginning.
“Joe has an amazing brain,” he said. “He has an artist’s skill,
which is amazing, and he is a workaholic, and you can’t beat that.”
Unger took Heindel on a visit to Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Mich., a firm that
sells Unger’s instruments online. Now they sell Heindel’s instruments, too.
Unger, 69, said that he retired after 35 years of teaching, and
that that was his intention — to retire — but Heindel was “kind of hard to say ‘no’ to.”
And as for being paid, he said: “I just want to help people who
are interested.”
Unger learned his instrument-making skills on his own. About 35
years ago, he borrowed a banjo from a friend. When the friend wanted the banjo
returned, he challenged Unger: “You’re an artist, make one.”
So, he did.
Unger now is widely known in the music world for his intricately
designed artistic wood carvings and engraved pearl inlays. He has won
recognition for his work, including the Ohio Heritage Award from the state of
Ohio in 2005 and a National Endowment for the Arts award in 1993.
His banjos and mandolins sell for $4,500 to $10,000.
“The thing about a banjo that is different than a painting is
that when you make a banjo and somebody gets it, the journey starts for the
banjo,” he said. When someone purchases a painting, he said, “the journey is
over for the painting.”
He said he loves the idea that his instruments are played around the world.
“They are better than we are. They are more together than I am.
They are more beautiful than I am. They are unlimiting. I am limiting,” Unger said.
And the business of Unger’s protege continues to flourish.
Heindel and Canfield were married last summer, and for the women
who made the wedding dress — she plays the ukulele — Heindel made her an
instrument.
Now he has requests for ukuleles.
Heindel, 30, and his wife moved this year to Cuyahoga Falls,
where he makes instruments full time in his garage.
He said he has made about 30 instruments since his journey
began, he said.
And he is passing along the goodwill he received from Unger.
He is encouraging and helping his friend, Greg Guarneri, who is
developing his own line of guitars. Guarneri visits Heindel’s studio to watch
and help.
Heindel said he believes God has been instrumental, so to speak,
in taking him on this path.
“I am going to do what I think I am called to do, and where that
leads me, I am going to let it lead me on,” he said.
For more on Heindel Guitars, go to www.heindelguitars.com or
email him at [email protected] or call 330-400-4481.
For more on Doug Unger go to
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSbhYImgCGQ.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or at
[email protected].
For full article and pictures please visit http://www.ohio.com/news/local/instrument-maker-learns-from-teacher-1.247226