Urethane VS Polyesther Finished differences?

[the_insomniac]

Nitrocellulose lacquer: this is how guitars were originally finished in the 50s and 60s. This is generally the most expensive, time consuming process. Nitro is fragile, "evaporates" with time, and is apparently supposed to let the wood "breathe" when the finish cures (although some think that the effect for a solid body is minimal). But nitro finished guitars age in a specific way -- the finish gets swirl marks easily, scratches easily, and will get "finish checking" if you bring it in and out of a cold place (wood expands at different rate from the finish). This looks like very fine, connected lines across the body. All the old "relic" looking guitars out there (e.g. SRV's guitar) are nitro finished. i.e. Nitro wears away like that naturally, unlike polyurethane which is a hard plastic coat that doesn't wear through, but only chips off on impact. Downside of nitro is that it is expensive and can feel sticky when its humid. What guitars are finished in nitro? Typically all Gibsons (almost all models, few exceptions), high-end MIA Fenders (e.g. American Vintage Reissues-- nitro with poly undercoat, Fender thin-skins etc), MIM Roadworn Fenders and high-end MIJ guitars (ESP Navigator, Lacquer Taste series etc)

Polyurethane: Most guitars today are finished in Polyurethane cos its cheaper than nitro and hardier. i.e. it is very sturdy, won't scratch easily, will remain very "glassy" looking for a long long time, and won't wear off like nitro guitars. In fact you need some serious steel wool, sanding or even a heat gun to strip polyurethane. Most MIA fenders (Standards, artist models like Clapton, Beck etc), all PRS, and mid-range MIJ/MIK/MIC/MII guitars (Epiphone etc) are polyurethane finished.

Polyester: I've seen this on some MIM Fenders. Some MIA Fenders also use Polyester Satin finish for necks which is quite nice. Don't know much about this except that it feels much smoother than polyurethane or nitro (which is very nice for necks).

 

[Breen]

Great post ^^^ =]

Bokok meaning yes zillion of dings along the edges and sides. Guitars are meant to be played. Some are meant to be treasured, but mine is a Telecaster, it's a baseball bat and a 4x4 with a couple of boutique microphones.

If I had a Prism PRS man I would keep that thing in a case and no one would even be able to see it. Note Spinal Tap reference.