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what is poly ? what is nitro ? some examples would be appreciated. which finish does the ESP EC 1000 has?

Poly= polyurethane. Tends to be very tough, high-gloss, a little tough to polish (initially after finishing). Nitro= nitrocellulose. Lacquer-based finish. Easy to apply, not as tough as poly, not as glossy either. Some feel nitro quot;soundsquot; better than poly, but I don't know. Also, don't know what finish comes on the guitar you mentioned.

I'd bet that ESP comes with poly.


Originally Posted by casblahPoly= polyurethane. Tends to be very tough, high-gloss, a little tough to polish (initially after finishing). Nitro= nitrocellulose. Lacquer-based finish. Easy to apply, not as tough as poly, not as glossy either. Some feel nitro quot;soundsquot; better than poly, but I don't know. Also, don't know what finish comes on the guitar you mentioned.

Laquer finishes are also easier to repair. 99% sure that the ESP has poly.

that means fender = nitro , ESP n Gibson = poly?


Originally Posted by pac112that means fender = nitro , ESP n Gibson = poly?

Im pretty sure everybody uses poly now. But nitro is still available.

I think the Les Paul Standards (and the rest of the models above them) use nitro finishes.

Gibson still uses a laquer finish on alomost all of the guitars they make.


Originally Posted by pac112that means fender = nitro , ESP n Gibson = poly?Actually, fender typically uses polyurethane finishes, except on a few models, like the highway 1 series or the eric johnson signature strat.

I've never heard of gibson using anything but nitrocellulose.

Edit: Epiphone, though, uses polyurethane

From what I've heard The SG, The Paul, ect. are poly finished. I've never had one in my hands so I can't say for sure.

Hmm, Its difficult to say. On the site they only mention the laquer finishes in the factory tour thing, but not what type of finish each guitar has.

I have a friend who has an SG thats about 10 or so years old, and it feels like a nitro finish to me. Most the new ones i've played have felt like nitro too.

dunno bout the paul though, never had the chance to play one of those.

guess the guys at gibson know...

OT- Isn't the gov't coming down on the use of Nitro? I thought this might be the reason poly is so popular, as a finish coating. Anyone know for sure?


Originally Posted by casblahOT- Isn't the gov't coming down on the use of Nitro? I thought this might be the reason poly is so popular, as a finish coating. Anyone know for sure?

Yeah. I don't remember if it's an OSHA thing or an EPA thing but it's getting harder for the big guys to shoot nitro.

All regular production Gibson guitars (LP's, SG's, ect) are nitro. All regular production Fenders (except the Hwy 1 and EJ, amp; a couple others) are poly. Fender custom shop and most artist series still use nitro. Heritage uses nitro and I believe Hamer uses nitro. My Dean Hardtail is Poly, and that's the one downside to the finish. I'm not sure about the other makers. Anymore, with the exception of Gibson and Heritage, the majority of guitars that are produced in any significant numbers are poly.

Is nitro paint only transparent? Or are there solid nitro finishes too? I might get a white nitro finish (if I can) because I won't be able to afford the zebra stripes I had in mind.

how can fender afford to make the highway 1 a couple of hundred bucks cheaper than the american series if it's nitro?

Aren't the bodies sprayed in Mexico?

Gibson uses Mohawk nitrocellulose,stains,sealers,fillers and buffing compunds(3).
Nitro is a nice white finish,(meaning that it doesn't yellow right away,(that happens over time with UV exposure).But it is volitile and difficult to dispose of properly.
Many places have banned the use of nitro.I had the guy at Gretsch,(pre sale),freak out at me for inquiring about getting some of the same nitro that Gretsch used to use to restore a Silver anniverary.
Try going on the ESP site for finish info,usually if they don't mention using Nitro it's poly.Same if it's an offshore piece.
For finishing info try this link,these guys have great info on how it's done:

from : localhost/www.reranch.com

Nitro is a clear finish that can be sprayed over a solid, dye or stained finish. The Highway 1 is not actually nitro, but a thin lacquer type finish. Nitro finishes involving long drying times and wet sanding between coats. It must be built up in many thin layers to it's final depth. It also must be wet sanded and polished to a mirror shine after the final coat. It takes too much hand labor and time for most companies to do nitro.

I would do it myself but I'm pretty scared to. I used Tru Oil on my homemade Strat and it turned out fine, but I wouldn't want to take any risks with my next guitar. Does anyone on these forums do finishing?