Finish Compatibility
Cooperstand products and string instrument finish compatibility:
Stringed instrument finish formulations vary greatly and they can date back may years. Finishes on musical instruments could be influenced by exposure to temperature, humidity changes, moisture, direct heat, polishes, waxes, and other surface enhancers or treatment. Some surface treatments, polishes, waxes, or surface enhancers could cause an interaction between the instrument finish and/or materials used in our products which could result in damage in the instrument finish.
Because of the variables in instrument finishes, Cooperstand ® does not guarantee that our products are totally safe and compatible with every finish that has ever been used on instruments. However, in an on going effort to improve quality, the rubber, inert silicone, and closed cell neoprene sponge materials used in the production of Cooperstand® products have been and continue to be extensively tested, for compatibility with a large variety of finish materials including polyester, polyurethane, nitrocellulose lacquer, and shellac based varnishes. We have found no problems when testing in our controlled settings.
Coopercopia LLC recommends that instruments are stored in the instruments case or in a controlled protective environment when not in use. Cooperstand®, Coopercopia LLC, its distributors and dealers assume no responsibility for the use of Cooperstand® products beyond the products specific intended design as an instrument accessory intended for incidental or temporary use.
We do not recommend using any additional material applications on our products. This will interfere with the design of the stand and how the materials we used are meant to keep the instrument from slipping out of position when on the stand. A soft slippery cloth is "not" recommended for use on our stands. Doing so voids any warranty or obligation on the part of Cooperstand or Coopercopia LLC.
Since our products were originally released to the market, we’ve done significant testing on polyester, polyurethane and nitro cellulose lacquer, shellac based varnish instrument finishes. Nitro cellulose lacquer is the most common finish found on vintage instruments and newer made instruments in the upper tier price range. All of our testing has been sufficient and successful.
Though there have been many more instruments reviewed, here is a list of just a few that were long term tested during the development of this product. Be aware this list does not represent a guarantee of any kind, but is only meant to show examples of a wide spectrum of instruments and finishes we have tested:
1963 Martin D-18-->Nitro Cellulose Lacquer
1962 Fender Telecaster-->Nitro Cellulose Lacquer
1928 Gibson H-1 Mandola-->Nitro Cellulose Lacquer
2009 Northfield Master Model F Mandolin-->Shellac based Spirit Varnish
2010 Voyage Air Acoustic Dreadnaught-->Polyurethane Gloss finish
2006 Takamine Mahogany NECK-->Satin style, open pore, polyurethane
2008 Epiphone Melody Maker-->High Gloss Polyester
1995 Takamine FP360SC Dreadnaught--> Polyurethane Gloss finish
1997 Taylor 815-C Jumbo --> UV Polyurethane High Gloss finish
1964 Gibson EM 150 A model Mandolin --> Nitro Cellulose Lacquer
2007 Oscar Schmidt Ukulele OU-3--> Polyurethane High Gloss finish
1984 Yamaha BB3000s Bass--> Polyurethane High Gloss finish
1994 Takamine Dreadnaught EF-349--> Polyurethane High Gloss finish
2005 Taylor 305-M “Baby”--> Varnish
1985 Cooper – DLC Custom “only 1 produced”--> Nitro Cellulose Lacquer
2000 A. Schroetter model AS-vo60 Violin--> Varnish
2-1940’s Gibson LG-2’s --> Nitro Cellulose Lacquer
2005 Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster --> Nitro Cellulose Lacquer
No negative reactions on any of these instruments, parts, or any other instruments tested have been noted when Cooperstand products within the guidelines of its purposeful design and/or function.
"Regardless of the results of our testing, there is no way that any manufacturer can guarantee 100% that there will never be a reaction to a product."
In our experience, various types of organic or synthetic materials, such as leather or vinyl used on straps, different types of textile components like nylon/rayon/ EVA foam all commonly used in carrying cases, and petroleum based plastics or rubbers found in everything from hardware components to surface coatings on accessory products can possibly cause negative finish interaction on musical instruments.
Ultimately, it is the decision of the instrument owner as to how he cares for his instrument. We recommend that an instrument be stored in a suitable instrument case when not in use and that no stand of any kind should be used for permanent display, for long periods of time or other than for temporary use.