Does anyone know if the new signature strats that are finished with nitro cellulose have a poly finish underneath the nitro? Specifically the Eric Johnson strat?

I am pretty sure that most of the Artist series are Nitro. The EJ definately is:

http://fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0117700854

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AmDlx HSS
62 Hot Rod
Luke w/Piezo
Carvin Belair

Nitro Finished Signature Strats:

Eric Johnson (only the best for EJ)
Dave Murray
Billy Corgan

Some of the Custom Shop Artist versions have it to but that's it for the current line up.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

There was some thread in nov/dec saying that american vintage reissue guitars are nitro over polyurethane. I didnt believe it at first but one user posted some convincing evidence, although fender dont say its nitro over urethane.

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No no and no

Hello All,

Nitro over urethane is a no no.
over polyester is fine.

Mark Knopfler Strat is also Nitro.

Cheers.

Hi mikeprs: strange how topics tend to come in flocks, ain't it? I just posted on another thread that several manufacturers, including PRS and Martin, seal the body with a coat of vinyl before finishing over the top, whether with nitro, polyurethane or waterbase finish (in the case of some Martin guitars).

The vinyl is simply to stop the solvents in the expensive finishes above from soaking into the wood. If you apply nitro or urethane direct to the timber you can sometimes watch coat after coat disappearing into the wood, which does no harm but is simply a waste of costly material and time.

Mind you, there's many others who don't use vinyl and just apply washcoats of nitro before and after any grainfilling they may be doing. I have finished bodies that way and found it fine. Strokes for folks.

I don't know whether Fender use vinyl, though it is a well attested method so I expect they do. I also don't know whether manufacturers would bother to use vinyl beneath polyester at the less expensive end of the range - but that ain't what you were asking about.

I also have not heard of putting nitro over polyester, but Mr Bill (above) is the kind of guy who knows his stuff, so I'm sure it's right.

Cheers - C

I doubt they are all 100% nitro. Even the EJ. Anyone tried using a little solvent on the back cavity of their EJ's?

By the way, the Billy Corgan is urethane or poly (as stated in the specs). The SRV too. The Mayer surely is nitro-over-poly.

Clapton, Buddy Guy, James Burton, Robin Trower, Muddy Waters, Jeff Beck, all also 100% plastic finish.

Didn't realize the SRV was a urethane finish. Considering the vintage of the guitars that #1 was made out of, after a bit more practice maybe I'll try to do a nitro burst. i've only done a few guitars, but it is fun. haven't worked up to anything expensive yet. but I plan to.

I'd like to know where you are getting this information because it is almost entirely wrong.

Billy Corgan Strat is Nitrocellulose: http://www.fender.com/products//view_sp ... r%26reg%3B

Mayer Strat is %100 Urethane: http://www.fender.com/products//view_sp ... r%26reg%3B

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

What do you mean not 100% nitro? I have the Eric Johnson strat and it is indeed full Nitro, just not put on as thick as say a Nitro on a Les Paul. It even has strict instructions on how to care for a nitro laquer finish with a warning label on the case to not take it out of the case quickly upon arrival, because of the finish. As far as I can say is, it is definitely Nitro.

Exactly the same as my 57hotrod. which shares the thinskin finish with the johnson. How would you put a thinskin finish on a guitar thats so thin it sinks into the wood in less than 6 months, by layering lacquer.

Morrisey get the johnson under a strongish light will ya? Tell us if you can see any bodywood joints, dowel holes, or other discepancies where it appears that the paint has sank into the body. MrBill and myself have both found these signs on our hotrods. Your johnson would make a interesting comparison.

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No no and no

...And speaking of which.. This stuff about the fake nitro finish needs to stop. I don't care how many web pages are cited..it's just not true. Just as the previous two posts have stated the finish on these instruments is 100% real nitrocellulose. I know this because I too can see joints in the light, my finish is already checking from the harsh NYC winter and is wearing through the back to bare wood from my belt buckle through my t shirt.

I have seen the sealant used on American Standards. It is a shell. Nothing gets through it. I promise that what is on those guitars is not on the reissues/hot rods/or any other current Fender guitar listed as having a nitrocellulose finish.

If you want to be really sure.. Pick one up and play it. Then pick up and American Standard. See which one rings louder and longer.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

Now there is real proof. The thinskin'ed bodies do vibrate a stupid ammount.
Infact since owning my hotrod body vibration has become so important to me ive started to check body vibration when open strings are played before i check the neck.

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No no and no

Thanks for the reply. I see I swapped the Billy Corgan Finish with the Mayer's finish when writing my post. All the others stated are right, does it equals to "almost entirely wrong"?

Yep. I never put my hands in one but maybe the EJ is indeed 100% nitro.

Regarding the rest of the (non-CS) signatures and AV line they are nitro, but just not 100% nitro. Try some acetone on the finish inside the back cavity, where the springs are, if you have one. You will see you have a plastic finish under it. If it's 100% nitro the acetone will melt it and you gonna have bare wood on your guitar.

I understand most don't wanna dare to try it. So, just to make life easier, send Fender an e-mail and ask them about the poly undercoat in their american vintages and the other signatures, they will let you know. I may be forgetting one or another but I think the "Thin-Skin" line as well as the Hot Rods and the EJ are the only non-CS guitars coming out with no undercoat.