Here's a Picky question for you...

What is the difference between the Polyester finish on a MIM Strat and the "Urethane" finish on the American Special series?

I was playing around with an American special and it looked like a similar coat and thickness as the Poly on the MIM's. Does anyone know if the Urethane has the same affect to the sound as the Poly?

Thanks

Mike

Polyester was big in the 60's and 70's. I have an awesome BBQ shirt made out of polyester. Super comfortable and stylish. Polyester and cockroaches are the only things that can withstand a nuclear blast.

Sorry I couldn't resist!

Did you mean polyurethane? I'm not sure of the differences I'm just a compulsive smart $@!.

Actually it is a hare polyester coat, not poly urethane.

Check the specs on the guitar at http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0133002300

It's actually a Polyester coat. It is a very hard, thick, candy shell coat. I believe that Urethane is actually more porous and actually able to be applied in more thin coats.

The Polyester on a MIM strat mutes the resonance of the wood.

Yep you're right. I stand corrected. I still think my post was funny and my BBQ shirt is still awesome! I'll be sporting it this weekend.

Not sure what the differences are in the finishes. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with some info. My personal opinion is most couldn't tell the difference in sound, in a blind test.

By the way. My dad is still the king of polyester. He still wears golf pants that come up just below his nipples. In fact, he just showed me a box of pants that he bought at a garage sale for $14. 20 pairs of Polyester pants.

All i can say is that I wish I had the balls to look that ridiculous and not care!

the polyester finish is hard as hell... i have a MIM with a polyurethane finish... i think the polyester finish would be a little less prone to chipping... polyurethane can also be removed using paint stripper, as well as it is normaly applied using lots of thin coats and over all has a thinner thicknes over the polyester... other than that... they are about the same...

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blues - its a religion...

That is hilarious! I seriously laughed out loud when I read that. Classic!!!!!!

Polyester: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyester

Polyurethane: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyurethane

Very exciting reading.

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Bill

God willing you'll get there...

The newer thin polyurethane finishes on the MIAs 2008 and on may be a little more resonant but they are more susceptible to little dings if you drop small objects on them like AA batteries , small Phillips head screwdrivers, stringwinders, or small metal rulers.... I have personal experience.

I second that tdanb2003. My strat is the same way...

But hey, maybe that means the guitar will have more mojo scratches, wears, and dents over time

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(former user jimbo612)

"The Polyester on a MIM strat mutes the resonance of the wood."

Seriously? I bet you can hear the difference from a one piece maple neck, rw board, and a maple board too. AND hear a gnat fart from the other side of the room.

sorry but i loved the gnat fart exageration

my polyurethane finished vm strat has resisted pretty well actually plus i think it sure is better than nitro

I have to disagree with popular notion that poly or urethane finishes deaden the sound. I've owned a bunch of both nitro and poly over the years and noticed that depending on the guitar, a poly finish (because it is somewhat harder than nitro) sometimes improves the sound! It gives it a brighter, livelier sound that can be better.