Originally Posted by
rookgirl
Blood is hollywood - The Red Violin to be precise.
Bowed string instruments use either an oil varnish or a spirit varnish. My viola (I'm a musician) has a nice soft lustre oil varnish.
I'm trying to get some amber shellac too - my local store only carries clear. I'm hoping Home Despot will be able to help me out.
Apparently, you should make sure it's FRESH! So check the can date or use dry flakes (just learned this) and from reading other threads,
www.shellac.net has good variety as well as prices. But why is the use of shellac instrument specific? Just how history turned out or has a specific influence on the instruments themselves...?