Kling-ons

[portlandgreg2]

I just bought some Kling-ons. The instructions reccommend removing them when the guitar is not in use, which is sort of a pain when you play a couple of times a day. Does anybody use this product? Do you remove them or leave them on? I'd appreciate any feedback experience.

FYI: my guitar is French polished and is well-cured (2 years old).

[NGiorgio]

Greg,

I've got 'em and I use them once and a while. Yes, they are a pain to put on and take off. From what I have been told, by a few people who know, (luthiers, dealers) you don't want to leave them on. They may leave an impression on the finish. I would think that french polish, being a more delicate finish could suffer some from long term use of the cling-ons. I would want to take them off each day, so that they are not on more than 8-10 hours at a time.

I have used them on an oil-varnish finish and would take them off after each use. No problems.

You could also check with GVR's shop and see what they think. I understand there is now a shop foreman who speaks english. Better safe than sorry.

Another solution is to have very thin tap plate installed.

[apettit]

That is a good question...I have often wondered the same myself. I am playing a Claude Guibord with a french polish (6 yrs. cured), and I picked up some kling-ons when I purchased it. I always took them off after practice, but after a couple of months this became too tedious. Now I never take them off, except for maybe once every three-four months for cleaning, and when I do, the finish is unchanged...I still wouldn't recommend to do this at your own risk however, because all finishes are different (age and thickness)...Try to consult your builder if possible, he may have a solution.

--Adam
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[portlandgreg2]

Thanks for both of your responses. I don't mind the bumps and knicks that a well-loved guitar gets; I purchased the Kling-ons mostly because I've been overly scratching up the area behind the bridge when I change strings. I suppose placing it when I do a string change isn't much of a chore. I like the idea of a tap plate, too. Maybe a half inch wide strip behind the bridge running the length of the tie block would work.

[apettit]

the only problem with the tap plate, is that the thickness...or the weight of it will dramatically affect the sound of your guitar, and once it is on, you can't remove it without seriously damaging your instrument, you should go with the kling-ons
adam

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[NGiorgio]

Adam makes a good point. A while back I brought a spruce top classical to the luthier who made it for me. I asked if he would install a tap plate as he had on my flamenco guitar. He said no because it might change the tone. He explained that he allows for the thickness of the tap plate when he builds a flamenco top. He was referring to ( if I remember correctly) .015 material which is needed for a flamenco. I would think that .005, which would be much lighter, might work on a classical without damaging the tone. It also would not have to be as large which would make for less weight or total mass on the top.

Can anyone enlighten us about this theory?

I also remember reading somewhere that tap plates can be removed with lighter fluid. Supposedly, it does not damage the finish. I believe it was luthier Lester DeVoe who uses that method. Don't remember what type of finish it was. Anyone else heard of that removal method?

If you are just concerned with protecting behind the tie block, it shouldn't be a problem.

[apettit]

lighter fluid! yikes!!!

I would not put anything on a french polish, especially something as volatile as gas...to delicate.

the kling-ons do come with a tie block protector however...
-adam

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[TheEvan]

Several things: My latest guitar actually has a small tap plate behind the bridge as mentioned above. Neat. A good idea. But I have always taped a piece of cardboard behind the bridge to protect things when changing strings. I hate string dings.

Kling-Ons are actually more of a problem with lacquer finishes than with French polish. Some plastics react with lacquer but don't with shellac. Neverhteless, it shout be removed after every play. That said, my teacher left Kling-Ons on a new Sahlin (French-polished) for weeks at a time with no ill effects.

Lighter fluid, or better yet naptha, is the proper solvent for removing things from French polish, Just ask a luthier. Still, I wouldn't dream of trying to remove a golpeador myself.

[Scott]

I have a guitar that has a small tap plate behind the bridge as well (about 3/4" wide). I also use a bridge bib when changing strings.

Looks like the Romero's generally have tap plates installed on most of their guitars (classicals). I've noticed several that have gone through GSI in the last year that Pepe had with tap plates. If you have some of the GSI catalogs check them out. Perhaps someone from GSI can weigh in since they have seen several of the Romero's guitars and comment on the tap plates.

[snetzley]

I purchased the Kling-ons mostly because I've been overly scratching up the area behind the bridge when I change strings.

Get a bridge bib. It's made to protect the guitar during string changes.