Formica covered steels look cheap and ugly

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 16 Dec 2008 8:05 pm

Hmmm. I wonder how many of these guitars are actually covered in mica. Mica is short for Formica, which is a brand name of a laminate product. I'm guessing some builders may be using Wilsonart.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 16 Dec 2008 10:40 pm

Lee, I think all laminates are the same.

They are sheets of kraft paper laminated together with resin. Much like layers of fiberglass and resin on a boat except it's not woven together like fiberglass. This is why it's so strong and resistant to dings etc.

After the Kraft paper, is the color which is like the covering on a drumset. After the color is the melamine covering (real tough plastic) which gives it it's scratch resistance, gloss and "depth"

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 16 Dec 2008 11:46 pm

This is the only kind of laminate I like

Joe Rogers · Post by **Joe Rogers** » 17 Dec 2008 2:26 am

Richard, your very first line of this thread read, "it's just an easy short-cut for manufacturers."

Somehow I don't think "an easy short-cut" was the original intention of putting mica on a guitar. Someone once told me that bolting an aluminum neck onto a wood body will gouge into the wood over time thus killing some sustain. Mica eliminates this.

Don't get me wrong. I have heard both wood and mica guitars that had tone to die for, so I am not taking sides. Just food for thought. Speaking of food.....I now think it is time to raid the fridge......

Joe Rogers

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 17 Dec 2008 4:55 am

Wood guitars are without a doubt the prettiest but if you keep a guitar as long as I do ......they ain't so pretty with all those use dings all over them. I bought mine to use and I do without worry.......I paid the price......I get to do the damage and mica looks better after so many years.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 17 Dec 2008 5:44 am

Danny - My point was, we commonly refer to all laminates (on pedal steels) as "mica", which is short for Formica. Formica is a brand name of laminate.

It's akin to calling all tissues "kleenex". Here in the south, many of us refer to soft drinks as "cokes". "Yes, I'll have a coke, and make it a Dr. Pepper, please."

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 17 Dec 2008 6:04 am

There is something about the look of granite. Possibly a little heavy, but it would be different. Come to think of it; it probably would not be much heavier than an old D10 MSA!
Bill Duncan

Don Drummer · Post by **Don Drummer** » 17 Dec 2008 6:06 am

Mica covered steels? What can I say?

Ray Kedge · Post by **Ray Kedge** » 17 Dec 2008 7:14 am

Iv'e been looking back at all the helpful tips Richard has given to the forum when guys have been at a loss to sort out their problems,so cut the guy some slack when when he makes personal opinion on the look of a guitar.
I just hope he doesn't stop helping people out when they can't help themselves.Due to the flack he has taken over this.

Keep it comming Richard

Regards Ray

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 17 Dec 2008 7:22 am

Bo Legg wrote:This is the only kind of laminate I like

Bologna?

That looks more like a ham and cheese sammidge to me!

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 17 Dec 2008 8:51 am

With the economy in the S can, I didn’t want to appear uppity and use Beef in my laminate.

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 17 Dec 2008 8:54 am

My personal favorite in finishes is the Sho~Paper used on the Ashtray Mavericks. WowZaaaa!!!!

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 17 Dec 2008 9:06 am

Sandwiches without mustard taste cheap and, oh wait. I forgot. I don't like mustard on my sandwiches.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 17 Dec 2008 9:07 am

EDIT: This was supposed to appear right after John Drury's post.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 17 Dec 2008 9:23 am

The Sho-let-paper was classy, but for the utmost in durability (except fire and the blood slinging "Anti-Animal Torture" folks), the classiest finish would be "Liberacesque" fur. Like ZZ Top's guitars.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 17 Dec 2008 10:14 am

Lee Baucum wrote: I don't like mustard on my sandwiches.

Well I do, and the's fightin' words. How dare you have different tastes in condements as me, you dirty low down $%^$^&(% b%^&$^&^*+)_(*

Nest you'll be saying you don't like pepper on your scrambled eggs. Sheesh!

Just Kidding Lee. But I really do like mustard.

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 17 Dec 2008 10:17 am

Danny Bates wrote:The Sho-let-paper was classy, but for the utmost in durability (except fire and the blood slinging "Anti-Animal Torture" folks), the classiest finish would be "Liberacesque" fur. Like ZZ Top's guitars.

Not Baa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aad!

Rich Peterson · Post by **Rich Peterson** » 17 Dec 2008 10:34 am

My red lacquer MSA Classic looked so-o-o-o beautiful until I screwed up and let a cable bouncing around inside the case trash the finish. It upset me so much, I couldn't look at it. Didn't play steel for many years.

If I had bought the white Formica instead, I would have had years more fun, and probably be a really good player.

If I get a PSG custom made, I might have it match the DiPinto Belvedere DeLuxe in my avatar photo: White body with a black carved top, huge white pearloid pickguard, and siver sparkle pickup rings and the entire face of the headstock. (In spite of all that gaudiness, it's a good sounding axe, and the best neck I've EVER played.)

I vote for durability.

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 17 Dec 2008 10:40 am

John,

Play that fur covered pedal steel and wear an outfit like Elton is wearing in this pic. Make sure the first song is that one by Tom T. Hall... "I like little baby ducks..."

John Ummel · Post by **John Ummel** » 17 Dec 2008 12:55 pm

I watched a show about Thelonius Monk on the History channel yesterday evening. It struck me what a piece of crap finish was on piano he was playing in one sequence...but his MIND was busy creating those awesome jazz riffs....

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 17 Dec 2008 1:35 pm

Bo Legg; you make bologna sandwiches???????????????

If you fry that angelic food: what time do you serve up lunch?

Missouri isn't all that far away for me to travel to share and partake in a fried bologna sandwich.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 17 Dec 2008 1:39 pm

Fascinating to read from the beginning, Because, starting at the end page one would be of the impression that Richard had gone "Over the Top" with some form of insult, when in fact nothing of the sort occurred.
If YOU are reading this from the end, I humbly suggest that you go to page one and TRY and find what the hullabaloo is about, I can't.

Richard I'm sure wasn't attempting to bait anyone by this post,. just expressing HIS opinion, as is his right.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 17 Dec 2008 2:22 pm

Joe Rogers wrote:Richard, your very first line of this thread read, "it's just an easy short-cut for manufacturers."

It's a lot more involved than wiping on some stain and then spraying a few coats of something on top. The only "involved" part of finishing a new steel guitar is the inlay work (really easy if you have the tools) and the cure times between coats of finish. I've done furniture restoration and auto bodywork, and there ain't nothin' much easier than spraying on a finish.

Someone once told me that bolting an aluminum neck onto a wood body will gouge into the wood over time thus killing some sustain. Mica eliminates this.

If that "someone" tells you anything else, it might be best if you ignored him.

Ivan Posa · Post by **Ivan Posa** » 17 Dec 2008 3:40 pm

My New Zum is so ugly I am considering sending it back to Bruce for a refund.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 17 Dec 2008 4:26 pm

the emmons co. originally made quite a definite distinction that they didn't use formica...it was 'mica glass'..as i recall...i think it may have been way more musically inclined than a countertop. perhaps someone who knows the inherent tonal response differences could chime (!) in!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Formica covered steels look cheap and ugly

Formica vs. Wood

mica

I love the look of real wood