Interesting about difference between nitro and poly finishes

[Logrinn]

From Andertons

[youtube]https://youtu.be/HeKqmU_9xmk[/youtube]

 

[spe111]

I can't tell any difference sound wise between poly and nitro, maybe someone else can. I'm not going to worry about what's perceptible to other people. I however like the look and feel of nitro so much better that I'm definitely willing to pay more for it. I think it smells better too when it's brand new, but I'm willing to live without that one.

 

[AirCap]

The prevailing notion among guitar builders is that poly finishes don't flex as much - thus inhibiting vibrations. Plus - until lately, most poly finishes were much thicker than nitro, and you really want your finish as thin as possible.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Such mythology.
You don't want the body of the guitar to vibrate unless you want less sustain or you want some of the high frequencies absorbed. Polyurethane is a superior finish to nitrocellulose laquer. The nitro was used in the '50s & '60s because that's what was available. Not for any "tone" benefits.

 

[AirCap]

Fine. Play plywood guitars dipped in a vat of molten plastic.

 

[rgand]

I hear the difference. Just to check, I opened two instances of my browser, one on each screen and switched back and forth between them. They do sound different. My wife also noticed the difference, as well.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I hear the difference. Just to check, I opened two instances of my browser, one on each screen and switched back and forth between them. They do sound different. My wife also noticed the difference, as well.

So two guitars sounded different from each other? 

 

[aarontunes]

Strawmans aside, I don't doubt that a guitar finished in nitro could sound different finished in poly. The question is: how do you test that? And once you've solved that problem, there's this one: does it sound better or worse, and who gets to decide?

When you're done fiddling around with it, give it to me with whatever finish is on it and I'll go earn a paycheck.

I have a Fender Mexi Strat from the 90's. I'm pretty sure it's a plywood body dipped in a vat of molten plastic. Probably the thickest poly finish I've ever seen. A few years ago I put a Warmoth neck on it. I think it sounds pretty good.  :dontknow:

 

[aarontunes]

As an aside: I've met all those guys from the Anderton's videos. They are super-cool dudes, and I think they have hit on a great formula for their YouTube channel. I hope they keep making them forever....I find them valuable and entertaining.

 

[Rick]

At the end of the day I go with whatever is prettiest, and playable.  Yes, when it comes to tone, as long as it's in the ballpark, I'm shallow.

I've played with guys that MUST be perfectly in tune.  Spend more time tuning than playing. Close enough is OK.

 

[rgand]

I hear the difference. Just to check, I opened two instances of my browser, one on each screen and switched back and forth between them. They do sound different. My wife also noticed the difference, as well.

So two guitars sounded different from each other?

Yeah. I can't say I liked either type of finish better. They just sounded different.

 

[jond4]

As an aside: I've met all those guys from the Anderton's videos. They are super-cool dudes, and I think they have hit on a great formula for their YouTube channel. I hope they keep making them forever....I find them valuable and entertaining.

Yes, they do some pretty good gear demo's too. The two parter they did on the Line6 Helix with Paul Hindmarsh back when that was new was my deciding factor in buying one.

 

[Kostas]

Strawmans aside, I don't doubt that a guitar finished in nitro could sound different finished in poly. The question is: how do you test that? And once you've solved that problem, there's this one: does it sound better or worse, and who gets to decide?

When you're done fiddling around with it, give it to me with whatever finish is on it and I'll go earn a paycheck.

I have a Fender Mexi Strat from the 90's. I'm pretty sure it's a plywood body dipped in a vat of molten plastic. Probably the thickest poly finish I've ever seen. A few years ago I put a Warmoth neck on it. I think it sounds pretty good.  :dontknow:

I don't disagree. I have nitro & poly guitars, US & Asian made guitars. I bought & keep them all for a reason but I don't expect the same from them. The cost of a product is important. I accept any imperfections on a cheap guitar and if it plays well I make no questions, it's great for what it is. None of my Warmoth bodies was cheap of even affordable, I wouldn't accept a five piece body or a thick finish from Warmoth. If a brand wants to ask the X price they should have quality standards.

That's the finish of a Fender Baja Telecaster, a guitar that has sold well from the beginning. It costs over 800€ in Europe, personally I find it unacceptable to have such a thick finish. One of the reasons I don't have a Fender and I have four Warmoths, even if each one cost more than 1000€.

https://postimages.org/app

As far as poly VS nitro they feel different, people say they wear different but I have no personal experience. I've played my 27 year old Gibson more than any other guitar and the finish is there, no wear at all. There are also different types of nitro and probably poly too, not all finishes are the same. Many articles online explain how the nitro of today differs from the 50's nitro. Finally, it's not just the type of finish but how it's applied. There's a reason some brands and individuals are famous for the finishes they do.

 

[Strat Avenger]

A poly finish does not have to be thick.
The cheaper guitars have a thick finish to hide a multitude of sins.

 

[Seamas]

I could see there being a difference in tone between poly and nitro on an acoustic guitar. Not sold on there being a difference on a solidbody.

I prefer nitro because of the look and feel of it. This past summer I (committing a sacrilidge) refinished my mid-'70s  Strat body as I hated the paint/finish.

 

[BigSteve22]

This past summer I (committing a sacrilidge) refinished my mid-'70s  Strat body as I hated the paint/finish.

Confession is good for the soul, (at least that's what I'm told), say three "Hail Leo"s and sin no more.... :evil4:

 

[Seamas]

Confession is good for the soul, (at least that's what I'm told), say three "Hail Leo"s and sin no more.... :evil4:

Confession can be good for other things

Sean O'Shea met with Father Ryan for Confession
Sean: Forgive me Father for I have sinned, it has been two months since my last confession and in that time I have had sexual relations with a loose girl.
Father Ryan: This is a terrible thing, was it with Dierdre O'Rourke?
Sean: Father, I cannot divulge the name of this girl.
Father Ryan: Was it Maura Finnegan?
Sean: I promised I would not tell a soul
Father Ryan: Was it Erin O'Connor you had relations with?
Sean: Father, I will not ever tell anyone who this young lady was!
Father Ryan: very well then, I admire your loyalty, your penance is to say ten Hail Marys and Six Lord's Prayer. And don't let this happen again.
*Sean leaves the confessional is met outside by his friend Jimmy.*
Jimmy: What did you get?
Sean: Ten Hail Marys, Six Our Fathers and three REALLY good leads.

 

[BigSteve22]

:laughing11: :laughing3: :laughing7:

 

[spe111]

I don't think changing a 70's Fender is that big of a sin unless it's a Tele custom/deluxe.

 

[Seamas]

I don't think changing a 70's Fender is that big of a sin unless it's a Tele custom/deluxe.

I tend to agree. It wasn't all that stock anyway, the neck was from the mid 80s and the paint had some weird half-assed repairs on the back. It was converted from a three bolt to a four bolt neck attachment.
I am not even sure if it was the original paint. It was a thick white, and not terribly good. Heavy ash.
I gave it a little fore-arm contour (I had almost none).
Nowadays people will call anything that is 25+ years old as "vintage" . meh.