Nitro vs. Poly Debate
- Thread starter Andrew Lamprecht
- Start date
IanBallard
New member
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
Yep. I'll bet the majority of the pro "stars" on Seymour Duncan's roster, use stock, production-line pickups with Alnico 5's and are fine with it. They are too busy getting "serviced" backstage by hot chicks and counting their swimming pool of gold coins to be concerned with whether they should change the cap values on their input stage and how awesome the resolution is on their Les Paul collection shot for the forumz.
Yep. I'll bet the majority of the pro "stars" on Seymour Duncan's roster, use stock, production-line pickups with Alnico 5's and are fine with it. They are too busy getting "serviced" backstage by hot chicks and counting their swimming pool of gold coins to be concerned with whether they should change the cap values on their input stage and how awesome the resolution is on their Les Paul collection shot for the forumz.
J
Jessie's ghost
Guest
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
Yup. Tone is in the hands. Or possibly in the schlong; I'm not sure.
Yup. Tone is in the hands. Or possibly in the schlong; I'm not sure.
IanBallard
New member
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
I read on a forum that the secret is in the THUMBS!
I read on a forum that the secret is in the THUMBS!
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
It's hard to argue with a guy who's thumb has sprayed his guitars with Schwinn bike paint and didn't give a sh1t.
It's hard to argue with a guy who's thumb has sprayed his guitars with Schwinn bike paint and didn't give a sh1t.
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
Who the hell are these guys?
I read on a forum that the secret is in the THUMBS!
Who the hell are these guys?
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
See now it comes down too what are the gloves made out of. I know when I use mittens made out of a synthetic wool, damn I can tell. There isn't as much itching but the sound just isn't muffled right. A thick wool glove has the perfect "muted" tone and that is a sound no fake sheep **** can touch, not even alpaca can.
See now it comes down too what are the gloves made out of. I know when I use mittens made out of a synthetic wool, damn I can tell. There isn't as much itching but the sound just isn't muffled right. A thick wool glove has the perfect "muted" tone and that is a sound no fake sheep **** can touch, not even alpaca can.
SabbathFan0220
New member
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
For me, when I'm shopping for a new guitar, I couldn't care less about what the finish is made of. The tough part is when I'm having a project body finished and the shop tells me they can do poly or nitro for the same price...whichever I prefer. Then I have to make a decision about whether nitro ACTUALLY sounds better or if I should just get poly because it's more durable.
For me, when I'm shopping for a new guitar, I couldn't care less about what the finish is made of. The tough part is when I'm having a project body finished and the shop tells me they can do poly or nitro for the same price...whichever I prefer. Then I have to make a decision about whether nitro ACTUALLY sounds better or if I should just get poly because it's more durable.
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
My purchasing usually* goes something like this:
Step 1) Man, that is a cool looking guitar.
Step 2) Yeah, I could afford that (or, in some cases, "Holy crap, that's a good price!")
Step 3) Huh, feels okay and sounds okay.**
Step 4) Here is my money.
Notice the conspicuous absence of worrying about what the finish is made of. The only time that happens to me -- and it has -- is when I get it in my head that I must own a guitar of "Type X" and start researching a bunch of models of that type ON PAPER ONLY. I'm as guilty of the next guy of getting bogged down in things like "That trem isn't exactly the same as the one used by my Hero" and "Man, I bet the Nitro finished one sounds SOOO much better" and "The REAL ones had a 7.25" radius, so why would I want a neck that is 9.5", even though I know I prefer them?"
As with so many things in our hobby, it's not necessarily that the theory is total BS, but we can become so trapped in the theoretical differences between two similar guitars that we don't notice that the practical differences are relatively inconsequential. None of us should EVER dismiss an instrument because of a seemingly problematic spec. Play the damned thing. Don't like it? Awesome. Find one you do.
*- There are exceptions, where I stumble upon something and just fall in love, but they're comparably very rare.
**-about half the time, this is me seeking out an example of said model, but buying a different one (usually because the color I want isn't in store) from mail order or eBay. I'm pretty flexible on "feel" and being a fan of hotrodding and pickup swapping, petty forgiving of the sound not being especially mind blowing.
My purchasing usually* goes something like this:
Step 1) Man, that is a cool looking guitar.
Step 2) Yeah, I could afford that (or, in some cases, "Holy crap, that's a good price!")
Step 3) Huh, feels okay and sounds okay.**
Step 4) Here is my money.
Notice the conspicuous absence of worrying about what the finish is made of. The only time that happens to me -- and it has -- is when I get it in my head that I must own a guitar of "Type X" and start researching a bunch of models of that type ON PAPER ONLY. I'm as guilty of the next guy of getting bogged down in things like "That trem isn't exactly the same as the one used by my Hero" and "Man, I bet the Nitro finished one sounds SOOO much better" and "The REAL ones had a 7.25" radius, so why would I want a neck that is 9.5", even though I know I prefer them?"
As with so many things in our hobby, it's not necessarily that the theory is total BS, but we can become so trapped in the theoretical differences between two similar guitars that we don't notice that the practical differences are relatively inconsequential. None of us should EVER dismiss an instrument because of a seemingly problematic spec. Play the damned thing. Don't like it? Awesome. Find one you do.
*- There are exceptions, where I stumble upon something and just fall in love, but they're comparably very rare.
**-about half the time, this is me seeking out an example of said model, but buying a different one (usually because the color I want isn't in store) from mail order or eBay. I'm pretty flexible on "feel" and being a fan of hotrodding and pickup swapping, petty forgiving of the sound not being especially mind blowing.
Bludave
New member
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
I have a very close friend who specializes in restoring "vintage" guitars. In his shop I have had the pleasure of playing some amazing guitars. Old 50's Teles, Strats & Gibsons of all flavors. The primary concern he has is when a finish touch up needs to be done. On a "new" guitar it is harder to blend the color & the top coats in. In many cases the guitar may need a total refin. With the old lacquer(nitro) it actually reactivates when you spray new lacquer over it and allows the colors & top coats to blend to where you cannot see the repair. For collectors this is important..... for players who cares! I agree with the thickness of the finish being the major culprit that kills the resonance of a guitar .
I have a very close friend who specializes in restoring "vintage" guitars. In his shop I have had the pleasure of playing some amazing guitars. Old 50's Teles, Strats & Gibsons of all flavors. The primary concern he has is when a finish touch up needs to be done. On a "new" guitar it is harder to blend the color & the top coats in. In many cases the guitar may need a total refin. With the old lacquer(nitro) it actually reactivates when you spray new lacquer over it and allows the colors & top coats to blend to where you cannot see the repair. For collectors this is important..... for players who cares! I agree with the thickness of the finish being the major culprit that kills the resonance of a guitar .
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
+1. I'm adaptable and don't worry about finish material, neck thickness, etc. If I don't bond with it immediately, a set-up & PU change will usually make a big improvement.
+1. I'm adaptable and don't worry about finish material, neck thickness, etc. If I don't bond with it immediately, a set-up & PU change will usually make a big improvement.
The Dali
MeltedClockologist
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
100%
The finish argument is largely smoke and mirrors.
100%
The finish argument is largely smoke and mirrors.
Ventilator
New member
IanBallard
New member
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
Probably the next guitar I build will have no finish. Bare wood. I might rub my nutsack on it a few times for "mojo" but that's it!
Probably the next guitar I build will have no finish. Bare wood. I might rub my nutsack on it a few times for "mojo" but that's it!
J
Jessie's ghost
Guest
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
The oils will help condition the wood. Ever hear about the protective properties of a traditional, hand-rubbed 'nad oil finish?
The oils will help condition the wood. Ever hear about the protective properties of a traditional, hand-rubbed 'nad oil finish?
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G
Grandturk
Guest
Re: Nitro vs. Poly Debate
The only reason I like nitro in theory over poly is that it ages better... Or I guess, ages worse.
The only reason I like nitro in theory over poly is that it ages better... Or I guess, ages worse.
