An oil finish is much easier to apply, and for me also much quicker. Neither protect very well from mechanical damage. I've used a Danish oil finish (Tung oil based) on many guitars, and can't really say I notice any difference between oil and French polish in terms of tone. Probably not quite as glossy as FP, but not bad. If you are space starved, as I am, it's hard to accomplish much else during those times, other than finish processing a second guitar, being very careful about dust. Much of the difference is the slower drying time. I can do a pretty good French polish in about 4 or 5 days, where a Tru-Oil finish takes me a good two weeks. Both are less labor-intensive than French polish, but they take longer to do. Liberon takes about 5 - 6 hours to dry, Tru-oil about 2 - 3 hours, at which time it can be rubbed back with steel wool or another abrasive. Without sealer, with the early coats, the gooey residue has to be removed with mineral spirits and then allowed to re-dry before re-coating. Neither will dry on Rosewoods very well without a very good sealer underneath, or an extensive drying time. Liberon is Tung Oil based and Tru-Oil is Linseed Oil based. The oil finishes are not really oil finishes at all, but wiping varnish finishes with oil in them. Personally, I don't think there is a whit of difference in "sound" when comparing oil finishes to shellac.
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