Identifying/collecting the different forms of Duco finishes

[alexandre]

Hello,

Considering the website of Rik Besser (www.bfanaticguitarworks.com/) and especially the original duco finishes on the old fiddle edge resonator guitars, I was telling myself that this forum would be the perfect place to collect information about the different occurrences (structure, shape, color) of those particular finishes.

For example, I personally have a 1937 Dobro M 32 with a brown burst duco finish.
The fact is that it's the only original brown burst with duco finish that I've ever seen, but maybe there's some other ones like that...

I propose to use this thread to collect decent photos of the different Duco finish configurations and I'm starting to post some of mine:














Please, don't hesitate to post photos of your original duco finish to enrich this thread...

[archiekidd]

Ooh ... lovely. I've nothing to add to this thread, apart from perhaps a little drool.
It'll be good to see pictures from other owners regarding the finish... interesting ...

[gaucho]

I have 3 Duolians and only one has any Duco left. It's in really good shape but is probably the most common of the Duco finishes....

[alexandre]

Apr 26, 2016 20:19:44 GMT gaucho said:

It's in really good shape but is probably the most common of the Duco finishes....

Thank you gaucho, I don't know if the green duc finish is the most common (I've seen a lot of grey finishes on duolians), but yours is certainly in good condition !


By the way, I've collected a few other examples with a google search:

- Vintage Richter hawaiian Parlor Guitar of the 30's:









- 1932 Harmony H1093T







- 1932 Natiolan Duolian with some kind of large patterns





-1934 National Duolian with gold finish with a kind of more mottled effect:





-1933 National B serie Triolian with some kind of floral patterns:

[alexandre]

I've found back a pair of photos of a 1931 Duolian in my archives...
It's particular because the guitar & the "green to grey" frosted Duco finish is in stunning condition, maybe as close as it was in the 30's...

For those who have difficulties to visualize what is representing the "mint condition" expression, here's a good example:

[lexluthier]

Hi! Anyone with a preference for modern Duco porn should checkout Oterbones Lightening resophonic research channel.

Here's one to wet your whistle:-



Chris

[subtoxin]

Another one by Oterbones Lightening Resophonic...

[alexandre]

Here's another variation that seems pretty rare: 1935 National Duolian #C9695 in a cream color frosted Duco finish...

[alexandre]

From the same guitar, those two ain't bad either:

[snakehips]

Cream ?

That's light green, is it not ?

[snakehips]

Hi again!

1934, 1931 & 1935 Duolians

[snakehips]

[snakehips]

Close-up of the 14-fret Duolians :

[alexandre]

Thanks for your photos snakehips, and sorry but based on those shots, I cannot distinguish any shade of (even light) green on the precedent duolian finish.

[rbe]

It's silver.