Why don't we lacquer bridges?

[TallDad71]

Why don't we lacquer bridges?

Is there a musical reason why we don't, as a rule, apply finish to our bridges? I've always followed the crowd and simply used lemon oil or similar.

I've just made a laminated bridge out of maple and ziricote for a steel string that would really pop under a lacquer and I'm wondering if players would have a problem with this.

My instinct is 'No', most guitarist can transition between a wooden bridge to a steel bridge on an electric without a problem. But, is it likely that the extra friction on a lacquered bridge would lead to plating difficulties?

[kiwigeo]

I french polish my instruments and have always finished the bridges on my instruments..classicals and steel strings.

The area around the string holes takes a bit of a beating during string changes so I could understand that being a possible reason for not finishing a bridge.

[johnparchem]

No real knowledge, but I always thought tradition. Finish Classical but not steel strings. I sort of cheat with steel stings and wipe on refined linseed oil (small bottle bought at art store). It wets the grain but is very thin.

[Jim watts]

I’m with John above, I’ll wipe on boiled linseed oil or some tung oil.

[Robert Gleason]

On acoustic guitrars and ukes I shellac my bridges with a coata of 4# cut and steel wool most of it off, leaving just a little in the pores. Then i give it a coat of Renaissance wax and buff it lightly.

[Taffy Evans]

Hi, I'm in the do not lacquer my bridges camp. I like the look of natural-looking timber, especially as it is often a nice piece of hardwood.
I use a Mirotone Teak wax called Alna 738. It has a different name now, I bought a liter tin of it over 30 years ago and am still using it. It brings out the grain features of the timber and has a nice soft satin look. When I do repairs I use it on dry fingerboards and bridges, so it gets a lot of use.
Taff

[TallDad71]

Thanks for all the replies.

The consensus seems to be that we don’t do this for aesthetic reason and not one of practicality.