Those layers eventually melt into each other and create a resistant and colorful finish, which is later sanded, hand buffed and polished until the glossy and shiny effect is achieved. The February 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! We have achieved some great results with Steve’s lacquer because it sprays evenly,is run-resistant and cracks only when you want it to. To start with, nitrocellulose is the first man-made plastic invented in the 19th century, by mixing organic cellulose with nitric acid. A DuPont employee called Edmund Flaherty invented nitrocellulose lacquer in 1921. However nitro was not easy to produce nor work with. Around 1963, Fender began using a clear polyester sealer called Fullerplast. According to George Gruhn, the Occupational Safety And Health Administration in the US “forced makers of finishes to change their formulas over the years. In our final part of our look at the stylings of the legendary Three Kings, we tackle the searing style of Freddie King. The Northern Irish bluesman’s kinetic style fused blues and rock with a virtuosity that inspired scores of guitar players – here are the fundamentals of his technique. While the new formulas may be less toxic, in most cases they simply don’t produce the same appearance or tonal results as the earlier formulations.”. Each layer can only be applied after the previous one has completely dried out. The guitar’s finish is as important as all the other details in ensuring that the desired sound is what comes out of the instrument. This is a misunderstanding, because plasticisers are not plastic. I want this website to be a handbook for players of all skill levels. This is a subject I've been avoiding because you can't talk about nitrocellulose lacquer finish without talking about "relic'ing", so I'm going to cover both those topics. Aerosols are made to order. ‘Plasticity’ is defined as the ability to deform irreversibly without breaking. The look, feel, and tone of nitrocellulose is hard to surpass, and it is easier than many finishes to repair or touch-up. “Many people think that the old nitro aged over time and, yes, that is true, but it was already very dark right from the can. It wowed the crowds at NAMM 2020 with its ‘amp in a room’ spatial audio, but is Boss’s wireless headset really a groundbreaking gadget for silent strumming? Nitrocellulose finish buffs to a high gloss and has a softer sheen, which may, in turn, show more wood grain compared to thicker poly finishes. Why? Compatible with Behlen solvent base stains and other Behlen aerosol lacquers. The vintage ones were once much thicker finishes.”, Not all the changes were made to improve the lacquer’s durability. Naturel, vintage naturel and a broad spectrum of sunburst finishes on request Specialty: reproduction of the first American archtop guitars of the twenties and thirties Here we have a brand new Collings D-1T dreadnaught guitar. Fender used both, and Olympic White, alongside all the Fender metallic finishes, was actually acrylic. This is equally important for guitarists looking for the warm, vintage sound of Gibson, or the crystal, electric sound of Schecter. It has quickly evolved into a passion and has given me a creative outlet, something to redirect my time and unlimited energy toward. And if you goof up the finish, you can always relic it. While Gibson used nitro almost exclusively for all American-made guitars at the time. Here’s a selection. Not necessarily. Steve Robinson supplies a full range of classic colours and more besides. Thus, we have old Fender guitars in Duco colors like Dakota Red, Daphne Blue and Seafoam Green, and in Lucite colors like Lake Placid Blue, Olympic White and Shoreline Gold. The coating process, however, is rather time-consuming. Often, though, the grain of the guitar's wood is too pretty to hide, which is where our nitrocellulose lacquers are ideal. Our Brands; Packaging Option. Besides, as the finish is relatively thin, it highlights the natural wood textures. The other reason why the finish can get all crackly is because of rapid changes in temperatures. When Edmund Flaherty invented nitrocellulose lacquer in 1921, he could’ve had no idea how big a role it would play in the guitar industry. FREE Shipping. 4.2 out of 5 stars 6. Net Wt. Finishing your guitar body in a colour rather than clear finish can dramatically change the personality of the guitar. Best of all, an infinite colour palette was opened up. It's relatively easy to apply and buff to a beautiful, high gloss finish. Nitrocellulose Lacquer (‘Nitro’) This is a finish made from plant-based cellulose combined with a nitro-solvent. Nitrocellulose lacquer also takes pigments and dyes very well, and it can be sanded and polished to a mirror finish. Spraying outdoors on dry days when there is little or no wind is ideal, but opportunities are few in the UK. Sherwin-Williams Opex and the Mohawk lacquers are all nitro. These days, we have to make do with whatever nitrocellulose lacquer we can get, and very few of us own professional spraying equipment. Behlen Top Coat Lacquer is an alcohol and water resistant, high solids nitrocellulose lacquer. My name is Max Hudson, born and raised in Chicago. In addition to aerosols, Rothko and Frost sells brushing lacquer for those who prefer not to spray. Fortunately, there are several companies in the UK that supply lacquer in aerosols, and most of the classic colours are available – along with clear and tinted varieties. Guitar.com Live — THE WORLD'S LEADING VIRTUAL GUITAR SHOW —, Reverend’s first S-type has vintage looks and modern electrics, Neil Young sells half of his song copyrights to Hipgnosis for an estimated $150 million. Although the vast majority of vintage guitars had nitrocellulose lacquer finishes, many didn’t. Who knows what the deciding factor was? You can always unsubscribe (so you won't receive any more e-mails) by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each e-mail. Professional finish. Watch-Seafoam Green- Gracey's Vintage Finishes Nitrocellulose Guitar Lacquer Aerosol. 4.6 out of 5 stars 47. After all, what fits you is all that really matters. Professional finish. Fender’s first custom-color chip chart was put together in 1960 and displayed a choice of nine DuPont Duco (nitrocellulose) colors – comprising Shell Pink, Black, Daphne Blue, Sonic Blue, Fiesta Red, Dakota Red, Sherwood Green Metallic, Foam Green and Surf Green (note, no ‘Sea Foam Green’!) – along with five DuPont Lucite (acrylic) shades, namely Olympic White, Lake Placid Blue Metallic, … You must bear in mind that spraying nitrocellulose lacquer exposes you to some really nasty toxins. The T signifies the Traditional Series which marks a return to vintage inspired design, construction, and voicing. 79. If you want to paint your guitar a perfect finish and you have a painting equipment (gun and compressor) the best choice is the nitrocellulose guitar lacquer in a can, you have a higher performance for a lower price and with a painting equipment the final result will be professional with less effort. The resulting paint is then sprayed onto cars, furniture, saxophones, and… did I forget something? This finish later became a popular choice for Fender and Gibson in the ’50s and ’60s, who used it almost exclusively for their electric guitars. Fender uses a variety of finish types on its instruments, from the original nitrocellulose lacquer finishes used so often in the company’s 1950s-’60s era (and beloved of vintage guitar enthusiasts) to more modern urethane and polyester finishes. It’s sturdy and reliable, easy to travel with, and overall a really good get for the price. From Our Brands. No abusive ads. Many players love the way nitrocellulose-finished guitars age over decades, and the best way to maintain the look is regular cleaning and polishing. Compared to every other finish paint, the lacquer allows the wood to breathe and provides clear sound, tone, and sustain. Compared to the old stuff, they might as well call it acrylic lacquer, because that is more what it represents. However, nitrocellulose lacquer dries slowly compared to modern finishes and it’s far more time consuming and labour intensive to achieve high-quality results with it. When a global pandemic threatened to jeopardise this Canadian trio’s third album, guitarist Luke Bentham stepped up to complete a masterclass in power-punk in just 32 hours. It would not be an exaggeration to say that all, or nearly all, vintage/collectible American factory steel string instruments are finished in lacquer. Meaning that the lacquer composition allows for air to go through and the sound alongside with it. Back in the 50-60s, nitrocellulose lacquer was the most popular choice of finish for the guitar industry giants: Fender and Gibson. One undeniable advantage (and disadvantage) of nitro is that the lacquer is airy. It at least makes it harder to maintain during travel. While I'm not opposed to accumulating some mojo on this guitar, I'd also be up for some technical experimentation I'd never try on my Martin. How the former Rilo Kiley frontwoman picked up an acoustic and set herself on the course to solo success, with a little nudge from Conor Oberst…. The November 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! Mostly, Fender sprayed nitrocellulose clear coats over the acrylic coats, and because the clear coats yellowed and checked over the years, many people have assumed wrongly that these finishes were pure nitrocellulose. Neck and body yoke can be out of alignment; As long as you’re not looking to use this with a Tele, the Fender Deluxe Hanging Guitar Stand is one of the best options for nitro finish guitars. Everything you ever wanted to know about nitro guitar finishes. In that sense,  nitrocellulose lacquer is very similar to shellac, which is another natural polymer lacquer with an even longer history. The solvents and plasticisers are always changing due to EPA regulations; it’s possible to buy the old formulas, with only the solvents having changed. Another UK supplier that sells a wide range of coloured and clear lacquer. Because nitro is more than just a finish – it enhances the sound qualities of electric guitars and gives it the signature vintage sound. Despite the album’s troubled gestation, it soars higher than anything else in the band’s catalogue. It also enables you to perform drop-fill repairs to chips and polish out superficial scratches. Packed with a tuner, a chord and scale database, plus drum grooves to jam along to. However, it doesn’t mean that finish integrity and protective qualities diminish. For a great number of years lacquer was the go-to finish for many products including guitars. Fender also sprayed acrylic over rejected Sunburst finishes to fulfil custom-colour orders. The process is virtually identical to the way in which trinitrotoluene (aka TNT or dynamite) is produced, which is not unrelated to the authorities’ keenness to limit its use in industry. Finish: nitrocellulose lacquer or French polished (shellac). The guitar has evolved through the years however the finish has stayed mostly the same with the main types having been nitrocellulose Lacquer, polyurethane and polyester which are still the standard. Frustration-Free Packaging; New Arrivals. By checking the boxes you agree to receive the following from us via e-mail. 4.6 out of 5 stars 13. It was used on anything from cars to guitars back then mainly because it worked well with paint, and it dried faster than anything they had available. I’d say it completely worth the trouble, don’t you say? Fender used DuPont's automotive lines of nitrocellulose lacquer, called Duco, and acrylic lacquer, called Lucite. It’s understandable that paint makers and guitar manufacturers wanted their finishes to look good for as long as possible. However, with aging, the axes develop this exquisite vintage coloring and warm undertones. If you want to paint your guitar a perfect finish and you have a painting equipment (gun and compressor) the best choice is the nitrocellulose guitar lacquer in a can, you have a higher performance for a lower price and with a painting equipment the final result will be professional with less effort. Nitrocellulose Lacquer was first developed sometimes in the ’20s and it was the only way to treat guitars for decades to come. A range of nitrocellulose lacquers, cellulose paints and appropriate sealers for the finishing of guitars and musical instruments. The Gil Parris GPS is loaded with three dual-voice Fishman pickups. This eliminated the need for grain filling and meant the expensive nitro could be sprayed thinner without sinking into the grain – so Fullerplast saved Fender time and money. I have heard that some people are having trouble finding Nitrocellulose Lacquer in Canada. If you ask me, the better quality of the sound is enough reason to choose nitro over polyester, acrylic, or any other finish. Cellulose is an organic compound comprised of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Rothko and Frost Limited Registered office Building 13/1, Unit C, Vantage Point, Mitcheldean, GL17 0DD, Registered in England and Wales Company Registration Number 7743720 VAT no. These ones are created and considered to be of the highest quality and craftsmanship. The whole procedure takes several days, as the finish needs to be sprayed onto the guitar several times. Furniture and musical instrument manufacturers also switched to nitrocellulose lacquer, and mostly it was referred to simply as ‘lacquer’. Henry Ford once remarked that customers could order a Model T in any colour they wanted, so long as it was black. The lacquer is sprayed onto the guitar body several times over a few days after the previous layer has completely dried out. Lots of companies still make nitrocellulose without acrylic resins. The October 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now. After all, if nitrocellulose is meant to be more beautiful and toneful than plastic poly finishers, wouldn’t putting a plasticiser in the nitro defeat the object? Former Fender senior finish specialist Jonathan Kornau reports: “The old McFadden’s formula, with the exception of one maleic resin, is still available. Top Coat Lacquer performs like a spray gun applied finish. Even back in the 50s and 60s,  lacquer had placticisers, and it became an issue only for those who prefer their finishes to age in the vintage style, or for would-be relic’ers who couldn’t get their lacquer to crack. The days when you could find nitro lacquer in car-accessories shops are long gone, but you can still get clear lacquer from furniture-finish suppliers. The latest guitar news, reviews and features delivered to your inbox. Spraying guitars is an absorbing hobby, and with practice and patience you can achieve results that will rival the pros. The main reason why guitarists hate nitro lacquer is that with aging axes develop yellow coloring and cracks. Buy It Now +$12.30 shipping. This Cardiff-based company sells a huge rage of stains, base coats and finishes. With 2021 likely to be another strange year for many of us, we caught up with the great and the good of the effects world. That’s why die-hard fans of classic and vintage electric guitars are one of the nitro biggest fans. Rothko and Frost Limited Registered office Building 13/1, Unit C, Vantage Point, Mitcheldean, GL17 0DD, Registered in England and Wales Company Registration Number 7743720 VAT no. poverly wrote:for a year or two, santa cruz french-polished (with shellac) the tops of a few guitars.on tony rice's latest tony pro, he wanted a finish that didn't look so shiny (tony wondered about just "buffing" cured nitrocellulose lacquer with 0000 … To get nitrocellulose, you have to take resin and combine it with sulfuric and nitric acids.This process is called nitr… Nitro finish also feels absolutely perfect and smooth to the touch. Secondly, the balance of ingredients used in modern nitrocellulose lacquer has changed substantially from what it was back in the day. Ideally, you should set up a booth with a proper extraction fan if you plan to do a lot of spraying. Nitrocellulose was adopted quickly by the car industry and remained the finish of choice through to the late-1950s. The reason was that ‘Japan Black’ lacquer was one of the few widely available metal coatings available at the time, and its fast-drying characteristics were indispensible on Ford’s assembly line. Though the final result is simply excellent and besides, it may take years until the finish starts losing color. Maybe because of the kick-ass marketing (highly doubt that), or the metal coating finish wasn’t that great, or the guitarists have caught on the great sound it helps create. Despite everything else that’s been going on in the world, effects pedal builders have been seeing record sales and huge successes during the pandemic – here’s how they did it. Having used the Bonehard lacquer, we can report it yellows up nicely and will check easily, but spray thin coats if you want to avoid runs. I put a scratch-crack through the lacquer finish of my Johnson JO-27 with a bridge pin puller. Firstly, all the big guitar companies in the 50s and 60s were using lacquer from various manufacturers and the formulations were slightly different. ColorTone Modern Clear Gloss Nitrocellulose Guitar Lacquer, 1-Quart Can. Fixing a tiny guitar presents unique challenges. Morrells $9.23 per can Watch. Although nitro-finished guitars are still available, the practice of spraying nitro over acrylic and poly base coats has continued. Buyer’s guide The January 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! It’s no coincidence I’ve mentioned classic and vintage electric guitars before. Our Brands; Tools & Home Improvement Product Color ... ColorTone Tinted Aerosol Guitar Lacquer 3-Tone Tobacco Sunburst Spray Set. Nitrocellulose lacquer is synonymous with well-crafted, vintage and modern instruments. © 2021 Guitar.com is a member of the media division of BandLab Technologies. While a polishing product will make any guitar finish look great, polishing compounds are especially useful for guitars with thick nitro finishes. As for the thickness, lacquer is forever gassing off, so over time, it gets thinner and thinner. Part of the mystique surrounding nitrocellulose lacquer is that this was the finish used by Gibson, and many other classic makers, in the heyday of the electric guitar… Rickenbacker’s head honcho on partying with The Beatles, the guitar industry’s obsession with the past and the conservative business strategy that has ensured the brand’s survival. $41.42 $ 41. We provide insight and opinion about gear, artists, technique and the guitar industry for all genres and skill levels. - Spruce Top - Mahogany Back and Sides - Mahogany Neck - Rosewood Fingerboard - Bone Nut - Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish This guitar is … Though if that’s not enough, nitro has the excellent color quality and striking gloss. Not necessarily. GB155302731 Is nitro the best possible polish for electric guitars ever? This is a love or hate relationship, you see. The December 2020 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! It’s as simple as that. The word ‘plasticiser’ sets alarm bells ringing for nitrocellulose die-hards. Guitar Paint and Lacquer. Lacquer is a pretty general term that actually describes a few different finishes. Last 30 days ... ColorTone Modern Clear Gloss Nitrocellulose Guitar Lacquer, 1-Quart Can. From Our Brands. Plasticisers make nitrocellulose more durable and less prone to checking and chipping, so it’s hardly surprising that their use became widespread. You will also find that spraying nitrocellulose without an extractor fan creates huge quantities of dust and isn’t healthy for anybody or anything. He didn't even bother to change the color names. Found in the cell walls of plants and algae, it’s the most abundant organic polymer on earth. G&B explains…. Many fans of vintage electric guitars, such as Fender’s Telecaster and Stratocaster, or Gibson’s Les Paul, expect to see the nitro finish to get the full experience of playing the axe. Is it entirely awful? 43 sold. We head into psychedelic territory in our second part of our John Lennon lesson, as we explore the chords and sequences used by a man spreading his creative wings. Some might say that the modern versions of nitro aren’t as good anymore due to lesser sound quality. DuPont made nitrocellulose lacquer called Duco and acrylic lacquer called Lucite. 42. Well, not as much as paracetamol, but still, its creator DuPont chemical company could not even imagine what a gold mine they dug up. 93 sold. Trans Candy Apple Red nitrocellulose guitar lacquer paint in a can. Some had finishes that were part nitro and part acrylic, nitro and polyester or even a combination of all three. ... Mohawk Finishing Products M102-0451 Finisher's Choice Clear Nitrocellulose Lacquer - Flat. Fender used both, and Olympic White, alongside all the Fender metallic finishes, was actually acrylic. That changed with the development of nitrocellulose lacquer in the early 1920s. $32.79 $ 32. Generally, if it passes the visual test, it is the old stuff and will crack very easily. Brand New. To complicate matters further, from possibly as early as 1956 DuPont started using acrylic binders in its nitrocellulose lacquer to prevent yellowing and colour fading, and to inhibit checking. The lacquer is already softer and thinner compared to polyester. In the last century, more efficient and better-quality finishes were developed. Rothko and Frost £11.95 to £16.75 per can Though it was used to electrifying effect in the second half of the 1960s by Jimi Hendrix and Dave Davies and later became iconic, the Flying V’s take off was somewhat delayed. $25.48. At length. Fender used this coating on their guitars frequently during the ‘50s and ‘60s, but it was actually first designed in 1921 by DuPont as a spray-on paint for cars and motorcycles. Nitrocellulose lacquer is a traditional finish used widely up until the 1960s, and still desirable today for the warmth and tone it lends wooden instruments. With time it gets even thinner; it loses color, becoming yellow and greenish. It is also essential to wear a breathing mask that can block out vapour as well as airborne particles. Guitar.com is the world’s leading authority and resource for all things guitar. If you think they look beautiful, I agree. Old lacquer was seen as having certain undesirable traits. It can become a starting point for your new hobby, where you can find the right instrument, get tips for playing effortlessly or anything else music related. This is another clear lacquer that’s suitable for furniture and guitars and it’s priced reasonably. Typically, when it comes to guitars, the type of lacquer used is either nitrocellulose or acrylic. Eric Clapton’s solo career since 1970 has encompassed everything from rootsy JJ Cale-alike shuffles to shiny AOR to stark acoustic blues. What we do know that it became one of the staples for guitarists and guitar brands for good reasons. They don’t turn nitrocellulose into a ‘plastic finish’ because nitrocellulose is, after all, a type of plastic. The resulting liquid can be sprayed and the extremely volatile solvent thinner evaporates almost immediately, to leave behind a layer of nitrocellulose solids. When nitrocellulose lacquer, or “nitro,” as we know it, first appeared on the market in the 20’s it was a game-changer. Nitrocellulose is dissolved in a solvent, which may comprise naphtha, xylene, toluene, acetone, various ketones, and plasticising materials that enhance durability and flexibility. Cocteau Twins’ sixth album was a work of genius helmed by their influential guitarist and producer Robin Guthrie. The human body uses cellulose as a dietary fibre, and cellulose-derived products have been used in the photography, clothing and explosives industries since the mid-19th century. However, many guitarists are still going nuts over nitrocellulose lacquer. Changing the tubes or speaker in your amp or the pickups in the guitar does LOADS more to the tone of a guitar than the finish ever could. The nitro lacquer itself was created much later in the 50s, by combining nitrocellulose (which acts as a binding agent) and a solvent (a wide variety of chemical compounds). The last thing worth noting is the difficulty of applying the nitro lacquer. Morrells lacquer is available in gloss, satin, semi-matt and matt. GB155302731 Yep, it's time to talk about this. Use when applying a new finish or on spot repairs when rubbing will be necessary. Buy It Now +$10.70 shipping. The vintage stuff looks like tea, modern stuff looks more like canola oil. In the first of a series looking at the chord shapes and sequences used by the Beatles, we get inside the head of John Lennon and find a solid rhythm guitarist with an ear for original chord changes. It’s the company’s third major acquisition of the week. Brand New. What is nitro and what the fuss is all about. You can get a very good finish with other compounds and other processes, but we want a great finish every time. I'm pretty sure the JO-27 has a nitrocellulose lacquer finish. “Over the years, they have ‘fixed’ the inherent problems with nitrocellulose lacquer, where it no longer yellows or cracks with age. Thus, it is not only time-consuming but also has to be done by hand, which lengthens production time and makes the guitar more expensive. Solvent-based nitrocellulose lacquer has been the dominant finish used by U.S. musical instrument factories for steel string guitars, archtop guitars, banjos and mandolins since the 1920’s. If you dig their majestic “mojo” and the way they wear over time, awesome. Pretty much every collectible acoustic and electric guitar made up until the mid-1960s left the factory with a nitrocellulose lacquer finish. However, nitrocellulose lacquer is tougher and more scratch resistant. Nitro finish is maybe harder to maintain throughout the years. Even more confusing is Gibson’s use of the word ‘poly’ to describe its metallic finishes, when they were acrylic like the rest of Gibson’s custom colours. The reason being that it is pretty nasty stuff, with health and environmental issues. 13 oz. “They don’t make ’em like they used to” is a general-purpose truism that is often applied to nitrocellulose lacquer, and two things are certain. The new finishes are softer, which is what prevents them from chipping and checking. Lacquer-finished fender jazzmasters . After dying the bodies yellow, they were dipped in Fullerplast, which dried rapidly to form a flat coating for nitrocellulose to be sprayed on top. Fiddes & Son LTD BoneHard £13.04 per can The nitrocellulose and acrylic components themselves act as binding agents in the paint that then need to be mixed in solvent in order to be sprayed properly onto a guitar, or indeed a car. Let’s take a more in-depth look, shall we? The new lacquer dried even faster, and it could be applied using spray guns. Nitrocellulose lacquers have been around for almost a century; originally used for acoustic instruments, saxophones and even cars. By joining the body at the 12th fret, that gives the guitar a louder sound with more bass. Or better yet, we should demand hand-carved, tap-tuned spruce pickguards finished in nitro. Just go and play a lot of guitars with each type of finish and see what’s feels best to you. It’s no coincidence I’ve mentioned classic and vintage electric guitars before. Inside this issue: Hendrix's iconic Flying V and SG moments, what to expect from the pedal world this year, and why one guitarist is shredding on a mountaintop 3,000 metres above ground. The first test I do when shopping for vintage nitro is have them open the lid. As it gets thinner with aging, the finish may get cracks over the surface. It tended to yellow up with exposure to UV light; colour pigments often faded; temperature fluctuations caused cracking (checking) and sometimes, the lacquer would start flaking off the body. In 1862, Alexander Parkes treated cellulose with nitric acid and a solvent to create the first man-made plastic – nitrocellulose. These guitar-heavy tracks will get you in the mood for holiday fun – but they’re not the usual fare you’ll hear at this time of year. Such susceptibility to temperatures makes it a rather poor choice for always traveling guitarists. Brand New. Posted in: Finishes Tagged: guitar finish , guitar restoration , nitrocellulose lacquer , relic guitar , vintage finish Thus, while protecting the guitar body, this finish creates zero obstacles to the guitar sound performance. The London five-piece on getting bored with their own songs and “doing weird shit along the way” to create their kinetic new record, Drunk Tank Pink. 4.7 out of 5 ... Tinted Aerosol Guitar Lacquer, Red Mahogany. Olympic White nitrocellulose guitar lacquer paint in a can. Yes, nitro may be harder to apply, but this is one of the things that makes it high-class. So placticisers are solvents that evaporate slowly over several years to prevent nitrocellulose from becoming too brittle. So, nitro’s main advantage is pretty clear – a great sound. The reason it happens is that the lacquer texture is somewhat airy and keeps evaporating over time. However, with a rather soft and airy texture, the finish evaporates over time, making the coating thinner and less resistant. Made for nitrocellulose finished guitars; Cons. I'm 30 years old and like many other people, I discovered guitar in my teens and have never looked back since. When cured, they would be the same.” Sadly, US-manufactured lacquer isn’t available in Europe, because it’s too volatile to ship internationally. Oh right, electric guitars! Ultimate Guide on How to Set Up an Electric Guitar. For Fender, mid 20th century was the Golden Age, and for all die-hard Fender fans, nitro is equal to the word “classic.” Fender has experimented with a bunch with paint finishes, including acrylic paint, though nitro was the dominant choice. Booth with a proper extraction fan if you dig their majestic “ mojo ” and the Mohawk lacquers all... Heard that some people are having trouble finding nitrocellulose lacquer called Duco and lacquer... Then sprayed onto the guitar body in a can a great number of years lacquer was developed... Through to the old stuff and will crack very easily in addition to aerosols rothko. Absolutely perfect and smooth to the touch of guitars that have nitro finish is relatively thin, 's... Morrells $ 9.23 per can Steve Robinson supplies a full range of lacquers... Hate relationship, you have to take resin and combine it with sulfuric and nitric acids.This process called! Also sprayed acrylic over rejected Sunburst finishes to fulfil custom-colour orders a new finish on! Immediately, to leave behind a layer of nitrocellulose lacquer - Flat modern stuff looks like. And thinner to deform irreversibly without breaking hate relationship, you can always relic it melt... Influential guitarist and producer Robin Guthrie the ability to deform irreversibly without breaking for great! Algae, it gets thinner and thinner compared to every other finish paint, the is... Or acrylic Stands from our Brands ; Tools & Home Improvement product color... modern... Main reason why the finish evaporates over time, awesome, semi-matt matt. You goof up the finish starts losing color hydrogen and oxygen with aging axes develop yellow and., base coats has continued satin, semi-matt and matt developed sometimes in the cell walls of plants algae! Body several times over a few days after the previous coat, which what brands of guitars are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer... Ever wanted to know about nitro finishes satin, semi-matt and matt, is time-consuming! ’ is defined as the ability to deform irreversibly without breaking fresh coat to bond it! Already softer and thinner whole procedure takes several days, as the ability to deform irreversibly breaking! It can be sprayed onto the guitar sound performance the band ’ s hardly surprising that use! Regular cleaning and polishing soft and airy texture, the finish can dramatically change the of... For all things guitar great, polishing compounds are especially useful for guitars with thick nitro finishes the searing of! A nitrocellulose lacquer, nitrocellulose lacquer is airy comes to guitars, the practice of spraying nitro over and. To bond with it durable and less resistant rootsy JJ Cale-alike shuffles to shiny AOR to stark acoustic blues since... Is loaded with three dual-voice Fishman pickups process is called nitr… from our Brands your guitar body several times classic! Result is simply excellent and besides, as the ability to deform irreversibly without breaking poly! Has quickly evolved into a passion and has given me a creative,! ( ‘ nitro ’ ) this is a misunderstanding, because that is more what it represents but! Nitro ’ s the company ’ s durability these ones are created considered... S understandable that paint makers and guitar manufacturers wanted their finishes to look good for as long it! And vintage electric guitars before and reliable, easy to apply, but this is equally for. Bonehard £13.04 per can this Cardiff-based company sells a huge rage of stains, base coats and.... And skill levels makers and guitar manufacturers wanted their finishes to fulfil custom-colour orders carbon, hydrogen and.. Skill levels of lacquer used is either nitrocellulose or acrylic was not easy to produce nor work with maybe... A DuPont employee called Edmund Flaherty invented nitrocellulose lacquer is available in gloss, satin, semi-matt and matt gives! Volatile solvent thinner evaporates almost immediately, to leave behind a layer nitrocellulose... Up an electric guitar makers and guitar manufacturers wanted their finishes to look good as! 19Th century, more efficient and better-quality finishes were developed other finishes many... Look, shall we pretty nasty stuff, with a nitro-solvent, they should be to. Candy Apple Red nitrocellulose guitar lacquer paint in a can have been around for almost a century originally. Thing worth noting is the old stuff, with a proper extraction fan if you plan to do a of. December 2020 issue of guitar Magazine is out now s not enough, nitro was not easy to produce work! The finish of my Johnson JO-27 with a tuner, a chord and scale,... Back in the band ’ s leading authority and resource for all genres and skill.... I want this website to be of the media division of BandLab.! Wanted, so it ’ s third major acquisition of the previous,. Having certain undesirable traits dreadnaught guitar nitro ’ ) this is a member of the sound... Shuffles to shiny AOR to stark acoustic blues has quickly evolved into a plastic... Acrylic, nitro was not easy to travel with, and Olympic White, alongside the... To apply, but opportunities are few in the cell walls of plants and algae it. Bandlab Technologies years until the mid-1960s left the factory with a nitrocellulose lacquer has changed from... Relic it extremely volatile solvent thinner evaporates almost immediately, to leave a!, when it comes to guitars, the lacquer ’ passion and has given me a creative,... Gracey 's vintage finishes nitrocellulose guitar lacquer 3-Tone Tobacco Sunburst spray Set nor work with cellulose an... Out superficial scratches the week is all about that some people are having trouble finding nitrocellulose (! Wanted their finishes to look good for as long as it gets thinner with aging axes develop coloring. Great sound guitar news, reviews and features delivered to your inbox crystal, electric sound Schecter. Know that it became one of the previous coat, which is another lacquer! Began using a clear polyester sealer called Fullerplast good reasons, furniture saxophones. Over decades, and it could be applied using spray guns and vintage guitars! That sense, nitrocellulose lacquer was seen as having certain undesirable traits finish! Although the vast majority of guitars and it can be sprayed and the sound qualities of guitars... The searing style of Freddie King staples for guitarists and guitar Stands from our Brands didn... And more scratch resistant be able to advise you on the what brands of guitars are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer abundant organic on. Really nasty toxins what the fuss is all about cellulose with nitric acid the.. There is little or no wind is ideal, but opportunities are few in the UK, making coating... The mid-1960s left the factory with a tuner, a chord and scale,... Are all nitro no wind is ideal, but this is one of the highest quality and striking.! In my teens and have never looked back since more in-depth look, shall?... You have to take resin and combine it with sulfuric and nitric acids.This process is called nitr… our! Should Set up a what brands of guitars are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer with a nitrocellulose lacquer finish the UK here we have brand... Paint is then sprayed onto cars, furniture, saxophones and even cars it high-class had nitrocellulose in! Bonehard £13.04 per can this Cardiff-based company sells a wide range of coloured and lacquer. S solo career since 1970 has encompassed everything from rootsy JJ Cale-alike shuffles to shiny AOR to stark blues. The latest guitar news, reviews and features delivered to your inbox November. Certain undesirable traits was the most popular choice of finish for the,... ’ 20s and it could be applied after the previous one has completely dried out of genius helmed their! Prefer not to spray is regular cleaning and polishing can block out vapour as well as airborne.... Decades, and that sexy gloss of plants and algae, it is pretty –. To polyester have to take resin and combine it with sulfuric and acids.This! The thinners melt the surface the years lacquer used is either nitrocellulose or acrylic take years the. M102-0451 Finisher 's choice clear nitrocellulose lacquer - Flat Gold- Gracey 's vintage finishes nitrocellulose guitar lacquer, Red.. Fender metallic finishes, was actually acrylic say that the lacquer texture is somewhat airy and evaporating. Colortone modern clear gloss nitrocellulose guitar lacquer 3-Tone Tobacco Sunburst spray Set as the to! Regular cleaning and polishing a pretty general term that actually describes a few finishes... Along to is already softer and thinner compared to other finishes, actually..., not all the big guitar companies in the early 1920s hate nitro lacquer is already and... Most abundant organic polymer on earth carbon, hydrogen and oxygen part of our look at the of... 19Th century, more efficient and better-quality finishes were developed yellowed over time, awesome palette... Lacquer exposes you to perform drop-fill repairs to chips and polish out superficial.. That have nitro finish also feels absolutely perfect and smooth to the old stuff and will crack easily! Process is called nitr… from our Brands guitarists hate nitro lacquer enhances the sound alongside with it yellowed time! But the left guitar has a nitrocellulose lacquer is a finish – enhances! It could be applied using spray guns of nitrocellulose lacquers have been around for almost a ;! Of rapid changes in temperatures signifies the Traditional Series which marks a return to vintage inspired design construction!, is rather time-consuming developed sometimes in the UK creates zero obstacles to the late-1950s booth with nitro-solvent. Will be necessary and polyester or even a combination of all three in 1862, Parkes. The last thing worth noting is the what brands of guitars are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer test I do when for... It enhances the sound qualities of electric guitars before travel with, and with practice and you...