Nitro Vs Poly - Good Reasons for both! 

I once told my nitro guitar I was considering a poly relationship and it said "oh, you think you're a player now?"

I didn’t know any better in my youth. I’ve now grown into an old Nitro snob. 😂

I used to be a nitro snob in my youth. I’ve grown since then.

"Nitro. The way God intended" 😂

A good guitar is a good guitar… the end 😊 enjoy what you enjoy and love the music and the joy that comes with it.

I have a Strat i bought new in 1997 and its Poly Finish is bullet proof. Still looks brand new... The new Poly finishes in comparison are much much thinner. I have both Poly and Nitro Strats and they are both great.

There's the third option: tung oil. A lot of smaller boutique builders use an oil based finish, even MM used it on their maple necks because it's less sticky than gloss.

Some facts: Urethane or "poly" fades, yellows, and degrades, it just takes longer than lacquer. A urethane or poly guitar finish doesn't stay the same forever. Nitrocellulose (Duco) lacquer and acrylic (Lucite) lacquer are lacquer. Lacquer clear top coats are typically nitro. Color coats, or "Custom Colors" in Fender nomenclature can be nitro (Duco) or acrylic (Lucite) depending on the color. Since the '50's Fender has always used both together or at the same time. As a practical matter acrylic and nitro lacquers are chemically compatible and can be combined/mixed together. In the case of Fender Custom Shop they may very well mix colors of the two to formulate a FCS-specific color e.g. "Super Faded Tahitian Coral"--appears essentially to be very faded Fiesta Red. PLUS, Fender going back to the 1950s has virtually always pretreated wood guitar bodies with a poly-type sealer coat before any lacquer was applied, regardless of whether the lacquer was nitro or acrylic.

got two guitars with the combination of a nitro neck with a poly body and that is a winning combination. The neck wears in nicely and the body maintains it's finish

I had flashbacks to a motorcycle rally a few years ago. Some mad man plowed through a group of "old ladies" from different clubs on a golf cart while we were finishing our night with Snortin Whiskey. The rest of the band was grooving, I was ripping a solo. Woman just goes pancake spinning up in the air... the other guys don't see it and everyone in the crowd starts freaking out. We finished up the song and the whole rally was in an up roar. I couldn't get my gear out of there fast enough. No one was seriously hurt to my knowledge. Good times lol

Guitars to me and cars look beautiful when new, no matter what finish, there will be bumps and dents, as long as the car drives and performs that's all that matters to me. I still enjoy driving a beat up car as much as driving a brand new car. Rock on guys!

A couple of thoughts. First, I have a favorite guitar, a late 90's Strat Deluxe Plus. I've owned it since new, and it looks as good as the first day I got it (with the exception of some light scratches from regular use). That's the way I like it, and I would be upset if it had checking or fading going on. The pearl guard has yellowed, but the Crimson burst finish looks great. Score 1 for poly. Next, I don't want anybody to risk cancer to give me a finish on my guitar. I've seen what cancer does to people, it isn't worth it. I don't care one bit about about vintage guitars, I've played many and in general there really isn't anything special about them. I don't believe in all this magic about wood "breathing", the tones people loved on those classic albums came from what at the time were 10 year old guitars. So I don't want my guitars to look like they are falling apart for the vintage look. I love your channel, and you guys are cool, fun people I'd love to hang out with, buy I disagree on both the Nitro and Vintage question. Have a great day!

I am not a relic fan, just to be clear. I love authentic nitro classics that age. It is a part of history. I prefer a survivor 70 Chevelle vs. a restored one every day of the week. I love new nitro guitars that are intended to recreate what was made years ago (I can't afford either, so it doesn't matter). I really like poly because I know it will be pretty similar to the day I fell in love with the guitar.

What is your thought on Suhr, they use a “thin skin” poly process.

I will first just say I had a pretty good year for myself. So I was fortunate enough to get the new John5 Tele, the Brett Mason Tele with the B bender, and the Kingsfish Tele. All of them are urethane or satin urethane. So I assumed that they would look pretty new even after playing them. And I do play them, all of them. I’m not a collector. I just really like Tele’s. 😅 So I was a little surprised when I noticed just how much wear from my picking arm and hand and how much finish checking the Brett Mason Tele got on it just from normal everyday use! It’s not a big deal or anything to me, I actually like how it looks with the wear on it. But it was unexpected, only because I assumed the urethane finish would protect it from finish cracks and stuff like that. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Ultimately though, they’re all amazing guitars that I love to play. And that’s really what matters most to me.

Oh, and my 2011 TS Firebird which I keep cased when not playing, still has that sweet, sweet smell. Intoxicating.

You are closer together again...I like it....looks less awkward

Thanks! Have both and like each but nitro if i had to pick one.

Great video...but I still miss the old background.

“Nitro” The way god intended😂😂 Hell Yeah 🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻I needed a laugh today so Thanks Johnathon🤘🏻

Great subject, well done. I own both. Poly has way less worries! Yet....

I like both: also satin and gloss. But a well worn lacquer with some exposed wood is great

I used to think Nitro was for snobs, but ended up selling my poly guitars to buy just one nitro guitar. I don't think it sounds better, but just feels better to me.

Good content

What about satin Nitro? Does it wear the same way?

Hey guys, I've been at this a long ,long time. I was young once, and I listened to everyone and believed what I was told. After 35 years of working on guitars, years and years of refinishing, and making many mistakes, I am here to tell you poly is better. And not just a little better, it's way better.

I have a Fender American Pro 2 Tele and they have a satin finish on the neck which I love. I have one of the roasted pine body variations, and I would recommend that guitar to anyone. The body is a polyurethane finish, but I don’t care. It’s one of the few non-custom shop telecasters that you can get at, or even under 7 pounds.

If you have a vintage tele (65), do you go with poly if you like poly better ?

Have never owned a nitro guitar but mostly because they’re typically out of my price range. If money wasn’t part of the equation I think I’d still go poly for the durability (and maybe a little for the environment) but maybe at some point I’ll see an old/relic guitar I really like and I have no problem with that

“Old P basses…I love them” Mike Lull (RIP) , in 1997 Mikes shop did a refret on early 60s veneer board ,plek and thin coat sunburst poly finished body, Mike gigged with a band and wanted his guitars to look good and sound good on stage, anyway Mike liked poly for road use player grade instruments and on his new models as well

Nice

The best thing about poly is that I don’t have to worry about what stand I put in on. My only poly guitar is my J Mascis Telecaster. The neck is nitro.

Speaking of identifying stolen guitars... the "fingerprint" of mother of pearl is a "win"

Having worked with nitrocellulose resins for almost 40 years, I can tell you with certainty that NC is odorless. Whatever makes your guitar case smell, it is not dry nitro.

I have a 74 P-Bass and it has a Poly finish, but I have some spots worn down to the wood.

I bought a Limited Ed. Player Tele last week and the night after I bought it I removed the satin poly finish on the back of the neck.. ..wet sanded it and applied four coats of Dutch Oil with more wet sanding between coats. I really don't like poly on the back of the neck.

The right way, amen!

I’ve painted quite a few guitars and I really do prefer Nitro so I will always use that on my own but poly is fine too especially if you’re looking for a more durable finish.

Poly may be more durable but when you do inevitably damage it, it’s less aesthetically pleasing than damaged nitro. In my opinion.

Hate to say it I am a nitro snob I love how the guitar becomes a part of me! And I do think it sounds better.

I have a 2018 American Performer Tele in Penny that I really enjoy the very thin Poly finish. The issue I have is it it gets small blisters at random. The 1st was a month after I got it by the jack socket a centimeter in diameter. Not ideal but no big deal. This winter it developed 3 more same size or smaller. One popped and it went to the wood, the others just to silver undercoat. It hasn't left my den, has had anything on it so don't understand what the cause could be. The fear is its going to look like a smallpox victim in 10 more years. Anyone else experience this?

I prefer Nitro over Poly. But good guitar or bad guitar is just that no matter the finish. I have some AM Pro II Strats and consider them being better guitars than most of my Fender Nitro Strats

So many one liners in this one. “Vanilla Cheerleaders “ and “nitro the way god intended “ lmao

I like both.

That drummer got plowed. Good reason to not play parties. My T-Style body is reclaimed pine from an old barn, so water based barn red stain with linseed oil finish felt most authentic.

Finish still looks fine on my nitro guitar ten years later.

I have both and The nitro finish Jazzmaster is my main guitar for a reason so if I were to get another guitar it’s gonna be nitro. However I will say my poly MIJ mustang is just as resonant and I believe it’s because of the basswood body cutting through the finish. Also wtf would not want their guitar to age like fine wine.

I definitely prefer nitro, it almost always feels better to me

The top on the first Gibson in this video is on the best top’s I’ve ever seen I bet it would reach out and slap you in person in natural light

I am not too picky about this kind of thing and I have a few LP standards that are all nitro. I even have a 1990 LP classic and despite being nitro it does not appear to have aged much. I do like how some of the custom shop "lightly aged" LPs are less shiny. I am not into the whole relic'd thing so much but they look cool when they are less shiny.

I knew a guy who did refinishing and touch ups on grand pianos and he feels poly limits the ability to refinish whereas the older pianos could be redone. His environmental concerns were about wasting the materials to build pianos that couldn't be maintained. My jazz bass poly has remained minty but a couple chips came off in ways that create divets which seem unnatural, that said it looks good overall.

I have ten Gibsons and a '74 Guild in my nitro collection. I have ten assorted other guitars that are poly. I don't hesitate to buy a guitar if it's poly, but I would love to have a Road Worn '50s Tele as it has a relic'd nitro finish. I love pizza.

I prefer Nitro. Whether it’s my CS or AVRI P basses or my Road Worn 50s Tele.

7:08,.'Smells like Vanilla Cheerleaders" is either the album title we didnt know we loved, or the band name we didnt know we needed. And as far as eh video subject matter is concerned. Poly most surely WILL RELIC if you drop it . Then lt some moisture get into that crack inside and underneath the finish and you've got a whole new adventure in relicing

Was that one of you guys driving that cart?

I think that when it comes to the sound (only the sound) of a guitar, both the woods and the finish play an important role and that it cannot be said in any case that one is better than the other. Those that will give more attack and sustain will give less body. It's a matter of taste.

I have guitars finished with Nitrocellulose, Polyester and Polyurethane. There are many formulas of Nitrocellulose. Polyester is not the same as Polyurethane.

I own guitars with both and I personally prefer Nitro hands down. Personally I think it sounds and feels better. Its not a factor in purchasing a guitar for me but given the choice Nitro all the way baby.

Is this not more important on an acoustic guitar? Why do Collings, Santa Cruz, and Martin Custom use nitro??? In the hierarchy of variables that affect the tone of an electric vs an acoustic, where does the finish type come into play... I imagine it is much more important with an acoustic...

Poly fades as well. I have an 06 Squier hardtail Strat and it darkened over the years. When you remove the pickguard, it’s very obvious.

On the subject of Pizza, look up Pizza by Attila and listen to the entire thing. I try to listen to new music and that came on in the car randomly the other day. It's not good, but it's worth a full listen.

I have 2 Nitro & 2 Poly. I prefer the feel of the Nitro, but I don’t mind poly & they all sound awesome. The older Nitro Strat (42 years) has dings, the newer one hasn’t but if I ding it I wouldn’t mind much. Maybe poly doesn’t age, but I’ve seen poly guitars with chips, splits, cracks & lacquer lifting worse than some bad 70’s Strats. Strangely, I seem to be more careful with the poly guitars because of it.

Every guitar I store in a window ends up getting stolen. Doesn't matter if it's poly or nitro.

I have guitars with both and have to say, it's not something I think about when playing. I know that my Les Paul will age while my 1986 Yamaha SG will continue to look much like it has for the past thirty seven years! Thickness of finish is probably equally important to how a guitar ages. A thin poly finish will attract dings and cracks much more readily than a thick finish. It's difficult to tell, but I think Gibson use very thick Nitro when gloss finishing but it's a soft feeling finish. I've had other Nitro guitars that felt a lot harder.

"Golf Cart Man should have been aiming for the singer! Happy Owel...happy owel" ~ Anonymous RU-vid Commenter 🤣 classic footage!

I prefer nitro. I like the way it looks and the way it feels. I try to avoid poly finished guitars when shopping for one. I have 2 Warmoth bodies and had them shipped to a company that sprays nitro. To each their own, though.

I love my nitro but a truetone finish is pretty nice

I have a number of bass guitars i.e. Fender, Music Man, Alembic, Sadowsky. I am pretty sure that they are all polyurethane finishes and two basses by Jake Serek out of Chicago which I believe are finished in nitrocellulose. As far as basses go, I think the finish is the least important factor in tone if any.

Wood darkens, dye fades, esp. red. There probably are dyes that aren't as affected by UV rays, but fading goes with checking, if that's your thing. I have poly, nitro, and enamel (my 1980 Eddy guitar, when paint was paint, a happy time), and nitro seems to differ the most: my refinished '75 LP used Watco spray can lacquer, and is fantastic -even with a gloss surface, it's as slippery as a Tru-oil finish, but my 1980 LP Heritage's nitro is sticky AF, and for years I've been on the fence about just sanding it back a bit -really, really bad finish :(

Biggest problem with nitro is that it's extremely sticky. A sticky guitar neck is not the most pleasant thing in the world, plus it makes you a slower player. I've got some nitro guitars which I love, but if I want a more comfortable playing I go with poly.

Not all nitro is the same. Not all poly is the same. The thickness of the finish is what matters, unless you're talking about aesthetics, durability, etc.

Unfortunately all but one of my guitars are polly. I would however, given the choice, want nitro on any guitar i want to age. Strats,Teles, SGs for example. I also want nitro on any guitar i have to strip. lol. I want polly on anything i want to stay beautiful. Les Paul, PRS, Parker, ect.

Baxter strikes “The Smolder” on the way out. 😁🤘🏻

Baxter, hair looks great .. just tackle the fly-away on our left side

I have guitar necks with nitro, polyester, polyurethane, oil and even exotic woods with no finish. I find that I don't really care what the finish is as long as the guitar plays and sounds good. I think people get to hyped over finish, but that's just me.

Can’t stop licking and biting my new vintage ii Strat love the taste of Nitro

I prefer poly, but the biggest draw back is when it gets damaged and starts to chip. I've had some bad nitro experiences and I'm kinda over it. Unless its thin finish, I don't really want a nitro finish any time soon

My Fortus Falcon is poly too. Only thing I'd change about it. Unfortunately you have to go masterbuilt for a true nitro finish from Gretsch. Nitro is more like skin to me, and wears over time. Poly is like a hard, unchanging shell in comparison. I prefer the feel of nitro. Don't care about fading or wear.

if you look at it from the auto refinish business, Laquer, whether it be nitrocelulose or acrylic was phased/forced out by the epa. modern acrylic is acrylic urethane which is a 2 part catylized which hardens. it is epa friendly. laquer off gasses forever. that is why the epa nixed it in the auto industry.

Pizzzzaaaaa! and... my les paul is starting to chip around the access plate on the back, grrr and my S-Type has a chip already on the front, yay! Whatev's

The tops on all my acoustics have aged and darkened nicely. Some of them are '60s and '70s vintage, others modern. My 2019 D35 has changed the most of the recent ones, beautiful bands of dark and lighter grain with some diffuse bear clawing and shimmer over the whole top. The '71 J50 has banded almost as much. All of them live on the wall now, so exposed to indirect reflected southern sun regularly. NO case queens unless no open hooks. I really like the aging and color in the wood but I know some people want their guitar to stay baby-butt white for a lifetime. Personally don't get that. Tone grows with the color in my experience.

I've owned many nitro guitars and poly guitars. I've come to the conclusion that it isn't a sound thing. It's a feel thing. Nitro feels more comfortable.

If there is a choice between the two, Nitro every time without hesitation. For me a nitro finished guitar completes the connection, much like an electrical circuit, allowing the instrument to resonate through me when playing. With poly finishes on electric guitars nullifies this connection, feels like I'm holding a dense piece of wood which doesn't respond the way it was meant to. Nitro allows the instrument to live to its fullest potential and takes the player along for the journey.

If you're ever in Essex MD go to Pizza Johns. Best pizza!

Polyurethane can get cloudy when exposed to moisture, it will go back to normal after a day or two.

7:03 I'm going to convince Sean to start a new band with me called Vanilla Cheerleaders now.

im having an SG brought back from the dead and i dont have a gtr w a nitro finish so i was like yo....can we do nitro on this one? bro. 35$ a can!!! i had to order 3 of em!

As an acoustic player I prefer nitro. Of course I also think the big 3 are Martin, Gibson, and Taylor.

This is like the 3rd time in a few months you've made a video explaining what I google about... Weird lol.

I want to paint a guitar with nitro lacquer and here’s what I learned.. if the temperature is not between 70f and 80f, it will fail. If ANYTHING makes a spark in a shop with those fumes, your shop will explode. It cost about $300 in paint, fillers, etc to do a good job.The more I look, the less I want to do it!

Poly does feel quite right. Its like the difference between a really good fake leather and actual leather. Its hard to explain why but you can just feel the difference.

Music-man have heavy poly like a candy apple

I feel like nitro is typically thinner and vibrates more pleasantly than poly

Yamahots is a band name for a band with a female singer and the band members only play Yamaha instruments

Don’t really care but nitro is preferred. I have a strat with poly and a LP with nitro and love both. The LP is slowly wearing in the right places. The strat looks new, except for some chips around the edges, rusty screw heads, and fret wear; so I guess not new 😂

A good player can make a kids plastic guitar sound good.

I hate that my Gibsons need to be polished so the neck doesn’t feel sticky. My Mexican strats don’t ever feel that way. Poly is fine if it’s not overly thick I think

does Californias environmental laws figure into Fenders finish philosophy?

When artist from Clapton to John5 prefer poly who am I to argue ;)

Yes pizza is great and leftover pizza in the box on your counter is a fantastic breakfast!