I've noticed most of the higher end American made Strats, artist series, custom shop, etc., contain nitro finishes. I like nitro and have a few strats with this finish, however, I may pick up an American made strat with a poly finish simply for its durability.

The nitro finishes seem to magically pick up nicks, scuffs, and scratches without even being played! Kind of kidding but some truth in there. Yeah it gives the guitar a road worn look.

Question - other than the American Standard series, are any of the higher end american made guitars finished in Polyurethane? Is there a model you would recommend in a poly finish?

Lots of Fenders "higher" than the American Standard are poly finished; here are the ones that come to mind:

American Deluxe Strats (all variations)
Clapton Signature
Beck Signature
Guy Signature
SRV Signature
Meyer Signature
Malmsteen Signature (body is poly; neck is nitro on this one)

Also some of the earlier Custom Shop Custom Classics wer poly; I think they switched to nitro 5-6 years ago.

There are plenty of high end Fenders and artist signature Strats with a poly finish besides the American Standards:
American Deluxe, Eric Clapton, John Mayer and John Mayer Black One, Stevie Ray Vaughan. I'm sure there are more, but that is all I can think of off the top of my head. Just click on the "Products" tab above and find the model you are interested in and then click on "Specs" and it will tell you what the finish material is. The Custom Shop uses poly also for some of their late 60's Strats to stay true to Fender's transition from nitro to poly a few years after the CBS takeover.

Don't judge a guitar by its finish. The guitar I would recommend to you would be the one that feels good in your hand and inspires you to play wether its poly or nitro. Good luck!

edit: John C beat me to it. He must type faster than me

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Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.

Thanks! I'm thinking of getting an American Std. and dropping in the CS 69 pickups. I'd love to hear the difference in tone.

I think it's kind of ironic that SRV chose to have poly on his sig Strat.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

I don't think he really "chose" per se to have poly on his sig strat. Fender really decides the ultimate specs of the sig guitars, the artist just signs off on it