Nitrocellulose Guitar

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There are three very simple rules when looking after a guitar with a Nitrocellulose finish: don’t get it wet, keep it away from bright light, and don’t feed it after midnight. Sorry, that’s a Mogwai! Well, one of those rules does actually apply. Let’s dig a little deeper into this classic finish.

Nitrocellulose is a century old lacquer used by guitar companies such as Gibson, Fender, Martin and many others. In the ‘50s and ‘60s nitrocellulose lacquer was almost exclusively used to finish guitars, but it is still in use today, well after the “golden era” of guitar building.

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So why is it still popular among guitarists in 2020? Is it just a vintage throwback? Does it have any tonal benefits? Let’s have a look…

This is an age old debate, and guitarists will be arguing about whether or not it makes a difference until the end of time. As nitro is a more porous lacquer than its modern counterpart polyurethane, some players believe it allows the guitar to breathe more, therefore aiding in the sustain of the instrument and helping to create a fuller, richer sound.

Arguably, a more obvious difference between nitro and poly is the way it feels to play. Nitro has a more organic texture under the hands, and feels less like a coat of plastic. It also naturally wears down on the most played spots, leaving your guitar with that vintage “played-in” feel.

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Also, in my personal opinion, nitrocellulose finishes tend to look a lot nicer! They are usually buffed up to a far greater shine compared to other finishes and they can really show off the wood grain underneath, especially on a flame top Les Paul.

So, we’ve talked about the positives of a nitro finish guitar, but as with all things there’s a trade off. Let’s discuss the not so positive things to keep in mind when owning one of these beautiful instruments!

Much like the Mogwai, direct sunlight is fatal to a nitro finish. Ok, I’m exaggerating, but all you need to do is look up pictures of old “white” Les Paul customs to see the damage this can do to the finish over time.

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This can look pretty nice, especially if you’re after an off-white-yellow-ish finish, but if you want to keep your guitar looking as fresh as it did the day you got it, treat it like a vampire and avoid the light!

Finish “checking” is common to see on nitro guitars. This is where tiny cracks appear in the finish, caused by extreme temperature changes that cause the wood to expand and contract. Because the lacquer doesn’t expand and contract at the same rate, it can’t keep up with the wood and the result is small cracks in the finish.

Metallic finishes tend to be more prone to this, which is why you see so many Gold Top guitars with check lines all over the body. I must admit I think it looks pretty cool, but it will affect the value of the instrument so it’s best to avoid it if possible!

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Daryl’s Top Tip™ – If your guitar has been sat in a cold environment (e.g. sitting in the boot of your car before entering a warm venue), keep it in the case and allow some time for it to adjust to the new warmer temperature. Don’t open the case straight away!

This is a big one, and you’d be surprised how many guitarists don’t realise this, but nitrocellulose can react with rubber and foam. Most commonly referred to as “Nitro burn” or “stand rash”, this is where the finish has had a chemical reaction with the stand it’s been resting on, causing the lacquer to melt. The results can leave the finish uneven and in some cases looking a little unsightly. You can imagine if this happens on the back of your neck, it can make playing the guitar a little uncomfortable.

We recommend using Hercules stands, as these are designed to be nitro-safe (and I’ve never had an issue resting one of my nitro-finished guitars on one of these!)

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In summary, owning a guitar with a nitrocellulose finish can be a little more work than a guitar with a polyurethane finish, but I really do think the benefits outweigh the negatives. To me they sound better, feel better and look better! If you follow the easy steps I’ve listed above, you should avoid any finish disasters and have a stunning guitar for many years to come.The purpose of a guitar's finish goes beyond just its aesthetic value. That's because the type of finish that is applied to a guitar's body and neck can actually affect how the instrument sounds and feels.

If you're shopping for a new guitar, you should therefore consider the finish that it has. And in this article, we compare the two main types that you'll come across - nitro and poly.

There are many subjects that split opinion among guitarists. And believe it or not; guitar finish types is one of them. Although most players aren’t too concerned about the type of finish that’s been applied to their guitar, for some players and luthiers – it’s actually quite contentious.

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Two main sides split this debate; those that favour old-school nitrocellulose lacquers, and those that are content with modern polyester and polyurethane finishes. Traditionalists find the former more appealing, as nitrocellulose was used almost exclusively on vintage instruments from the golden era of guitar production. But there are many guitarists that prefer poly finishes, as they are more resistant to wear and have a glossier look.

In this piece, we’re going to shed some light on these two types of guitar finish. Explaining their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the effect that they have on the sound of a guitar; we hope that by the end of this article you’ll have a greater understanding of their differences.

Nitrocellulose lacquers have been around for almost a century; originally used for acoustic instruments, saxophones and even cars. 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 also experimented with acrylic during this period, but nitrocellulose was generally favoured for finishing guitars as it could form a nicer gloss.

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Regarding its content, nitrocellulose lacquer is mostly solvent-based and comprised of plant-based substances like cotton, mixed nitric and sulfuric acids. The nitrocellulose element serves as a binding agent, which is then mixed with solvent to enable a conventional spray finish. The solvent used is acetone; a highly-flammable substance that ultimately forms the shiny lacquer.

A nitrocellulose guitar finish is applied multiple times over several days, with each coat essentially melting the previous one. This process eliminates the need to sand between layers. After full application, the solvent chemicals are left to fully dissolve; leaving a dry resin-like texture. This is then hand-buffed and sanded until a glossy finish is achieved.

Nitrocellulose is considered to be more porous than polyester or polyurethane, with a thin, smooth and somewhat slippery texture that isn’t quite as solid or constrictive. Many purists and luthiers therefore believe that a nitro finish allows a guitar’s wood to breathe, yielding a more open sound and greater sustain.

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Although nitrocellulose lacquer may give a guitar an airier sound, its softer texture does make it susceptible to cosmetic damage. This means that dings and scratches are more visible on guitars with nitro finishes, and much easier to inflict. A nitrocellulose lacquer also wears away over time, causing dulling in areas where you make regular contact with your guitar; such as the lower bout where your forearm rests. Nitrocellulose also yellows with time, especially when exposed to excessive sunlight.

Apart from the above, small cracks can appear in a nitro finish after several years too. This occurs when a guitar is regularly exposed to differing temperatures, as changes in climate causes wood to expand and contract. And as we explained, nitrocellulose lacquer is thin and slightly porous, meaning that the wood it’s applied to is more prone to this issue.

These days, this type of guitar finish is used almost exclusively by Gibson and Fender’s Custom Shop divisions. As these departments mostly produce premium time-honoured instruments, they therefore use nitro finishes to recapture the essence of their older vintage models. Nitro lacquers are also typically used on more expensive guitars as the application process is time-consuming and requires several layers. They must also be carefully hand-buffed and sanded at the final stage to ensure a consistent, professional quality.

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What’s interesting, though, is that a lot of high-end guitars are deliberately damaged and worn to create an aged look. In the industry, this is referred to as“relicing”; a practice that has become more common from the growing demand for older-looking guitars. As nitrocellulose is easy to damage and manipulate, most relic’d guitars you’ll come across will have this finish. Attempting to relic a poly-finished guitar would not look very convincing at all!

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Posted by zodaries14

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