Paints and stains can be very bad for the environment and for people's health because they contain volatile organic compounds (VOC's). Modern water based lacquers contain fewer VOC's than oil based lacquers, but they are far from perfect. At times it is necessary to use lacquer, and choosing produces with the lowest VOC's is important.

For acoustic guitars French polish is a traditional finish that is more sustainable than any type of lacquer. French polish is a process that uses shellac, an all-natural sealant, and high gloss finish. Although it is not as durable as modern lacquers, it gets the job done, and we figure if you are buying an expensive guitar, you are likely to protect it from damage. Being significantly friendly to the environment is not its only advantage. It also makes guitars sound better. Modern lacquers are heavy and prevent the soundboard from achieve its full potential. The lighter French polish can achieve a superior sound. For these reasons, our standard finish on all our acoustic guitars is a French polish.