Covering bare wood (huh huh...you said wood...)

[texicus]

I might just suck at the search function again, but couldn't find a thread about this...

What I'm wondering is if I should paint the bare wood that's on my warmoth body.  Since I got it rerouted for dual buckers, the pickup cavities aren't painted...is this just asking for the body to soak up moisture over the years?  I can't imagine it would be a GOOD thing, but not sure if it'd make any difference in the end...

 

[MUYFUE]

Van Halen leaves all the cavities unpainted, I think. He says it helps the tone...  :tard:
I can see where you're coming from, but unless you live in a very humid environment, I'm not sure how worried you should be.

I'm assuming by your user name that you are a Texan (C'MON!) . I'm in S.A., and we get HEAT and DROUGHT then RAIN and then HOT RAIN.  :laughing7:
The thing I care for the most is my neck joints (which on my bolt-ons, I've sanded bare) and my neck truss rod.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

We get our fair share of moisture both on us and in the air here in Tacoma/Puyallup & I wouldn't hesitate to have the cavities painted, not for tone, but for general protection.

The tone thing is always such a suggestive thing anyway.  I direct mount mine, but after 14 years on the same guitar, I still would be dis-honest if I said that it made the difference in tone compared to having mounting rings.

 

[mayfly]

It's a good idea IMHO.  No reason why not.

 

[MUYFUE]

The tone thing is always such a suggestive thing anyway.  I direct mount mine, but after 14 years on the same guitar, I still would be dis-honest if I said that it made the difference in tone compared to having mounting rings.

I guess I'm saying the same thing in a different way. I have no opposition to painting the cavities.

Much like direct mount vs/ rings may not have an big effect on tone, I don't think that the pickup cavities are secret doors that let in moisture and would somehow have a negative effect on the body.

I don't feel it's NEEDED, but to quote my freind here

No reason why not.

 

[Unwound G]

You can always oil the bare wood cavities with Tung Oil or Linseed Oil (Tru Oil)  and not to paint them per se.  The oiled surface will keep moisture away and should not (if any) dampen tone of your guitar.

 

[texicus]

I'm assuming by your user name that you are a Texan

I'm actually from Alberta...which is the Texas of Canada from what I hear, so you were pretty close!

Thanks everyone!  I'll at the very least throw some black primer on those cavities...