Howdy, Im new here. Got a question about a strat I got about a year ago. It a 2006 American Series Strat, and I was wondering what type of finish it had. It had one of the nitro fliers with it in the case when I got it, but I've heard that American Series Strats were poly. Im just wondering because they finish seems very fragile compared to most I've owned.

Thanks in advance!
-John

Hi JohnZ6, welcome to the Forum.

I have a 2005 American Series - renamed the American Standard a couple of years later. It has a polyurethane lacquer on both body and neck. (Not the same thing as polyester on the bodies of Mexican Fenders.)

That nitro flyer was in there by mistake.

Cheers - C

Cool thanks. Does it still wear like Nitro? Im only asking because it is my main gigging guitar and its getting a few dings here and there, and it seems that the paint is thin. I was thinking that since it was thin it might age like nitro..

Not exactly. Urethane is often put on thinner than polyester, which is what you are seeing. But it is much, much harder than nitro which makes is a lot more durable. Some like that, some don't: strokes for folks.

I like mine. But then I like my polyester, nitro and acrylic finished guitars too...

Cheers - C

poly is harder and lasts longer.... It protects the guitar a lot more. Nitro allows the gutar to end up looking like a roadworn strat in a couple of years rather then decades of wear and tear like vintage guitars...

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Awesome! Thanks alot! Im really not wanting the "relic" look, so thats good news!