PRS 2024 finish formulation changed

[Saberslash]

Interesting thing I found online today uploaded by PRS on their FAQ:

“All Maryland-made PRS electric instruments feature a nitrocellulose finish. This finish is thin, allowing our guitars to have a resonant, organic tone, to last and have the least issues with fading, chipping or other issues. The nitro finish also feels natural under your hand, elevating the playing experience from the moment you pick up the guitar. From 1985 – 2019, PRS used a polyester basecoat and an acrylic topcoat. During 2019, we started to transition to a nitrocellulose over CAB (catalyzed acrylic) finish. This was a flying change that was slowly worked into production. If your guitar was made during 2019, we cannot accurately determine the exact finish used on your instrument, so it is best to treat it as you would any other nitrocellulose finish and avoid long term contact with leather, rubber, and vinyl. Guitars produced in 2020-2023 have the nitro over CAB finish. 2023 and beyond have the nitro over nitro finish.“


So there is no more nitro over CAB, just pure nitro over nitro. And I got core model 2024 made in august and sold to me in October... and it already has lacquer checking…maybe this is the explanation

 

[d^rren]

Interesting. Their experiments with trying to "reinvent" guitar finishes has typically not gone well, with finish clouding, dye fading, and other issues developing over time.

 

[MarcWink]

Interesting stuff here.

 

[direwolf08]

Very interesting. Can anybody point me in the direction of a good, single resource that compares the properties (strength, resilience, wear, and general reliability) of various finish types e.g. Poly, CAB, Nitro, Tru-oil, etc?

 

[László]

Very interesting. Can anybody point me in the direction of a good, single resource that compares the properties (strength, resilience, wear, and general reliability) of various finish types e.g. Poly, CAB, Nitro, Tru-oil, etc?

The problem is that guitar makers order different formulations of the same general paint type; i.e., one poly formula is more than likely not the same as another poly formula, same with nitro, same with the CAB base for nitro, and on and on.

There probably isn't a simple resource for this info, because all the permutations can't be accounted for easily.

PRS' nitro finish feels different from the stuff Gibson uses, and also different from the stuff Fender uses.

Example: The Anderson guitars use a poly finish, but it's specially formulated to cure under ultraviolet light. The manufacturers have paint formulations made for their products.

Collings uses a nitro over poly basecoat. Etc, etc.

It's rarely an apples-to-apples comparison.

 

[László]

Interesting. Their experiments with trying to "reinvent" guitar finishes has typically not gone well, with finish clouding, dye fading, and other issues developing over time.

PRS doesn't stand still. Just my opinion, of course, but what makes the guitars great is their continual evolution. Of course, change involves the unknown in some ways.

Folks can handle it, or not. We're all different.

I've had all the finishes since 1991, and haven't had any problems, but I do keep my guitars cased when not in use, so that probably helps.

 

[Zoot Allures]

I’d be interested in knowing the deciding factor(s) for making each of these changes over the years. I wonder if PRS himself regrets using any of the past finish formulas.

 

[vhalen50]

interesting. My fiore has probably the thinnest most brittle finish from any guitar ive purchased from PRS. it flakes off way too easily. I purchased a silver sky, 594 and a myles kennedy and neither of those have the same issue. It looks cool, its been played but initially it was pretty disappointing to see it happening.

 

[ElrytNamrogo]

Interesting....I'm curious if this spans through all the lines (Core, S2, SE) or if any of the other lines have different finish types.

I do remember them saying that when the CAB finish was introduced, that it would eventually span across all lines. Not sure if this ever came to fruition or not....

 

[show_a_little_faith]

2023 and beyond have the nitro over nitro finish.“

 

[Bogner]

Since Tone Is In The Fingers, The Finish Shouldn't Matter.

Most Of My Favorite PRS Guitars Have The Old School Finish. Of Course That Could Be The Wood (TWSS), Pickups, Actual Guitar Model And All Its Parts. Who Knows? To Me, A Good Guitar is A Good Guitar And I Would Never Walk Away From A Good Guitar (If I Can Afford It) Due To Finish Type.

 

[DISTORT6]

This is one of the things that I personally lose no sleep over.

 

[direwolf08]

Just want to point out how many of the replies to this thread start with “Interesting … “

 

[ElrytNamrogo]

Just want to point out how many of the replies to this thread start with “Interesting … “

Interesting observation....

 

[vchizzle]

Hmmm. Maybe I’ll buy a 2024 silver sky, take it apart, leave the body outside when it’s -20 degrees and bring it back into the heat. Just to see what happens. Could be fun!

 

[Monahan]

Glad to hear about this-- thanks!

I've always liked HONEST play wear (opposed to the "relic" craze), and was a little bummed that my favorite guitar wouldn't age like those from the 50s/60s. Perhaps the "nitro over nitro" models will wear in a little nicer over time

Havent heard about finish flaking off-- is it leaving behind a white base coat on solid colors (such as what happened to Chevys and Dodges with bad base coats)?

A finish has never been a deal breaker for me, but I do like the move to nitro as it's often easier to repair when needed. I'm surprised PRS isn't playing this up more in its advertising, with nitro having such a fan following~

 

[frankencat]

Interesting.

 

[Glide-bpm]

Very interesting, indeed!!!

 

[mintakka]

The date ranges are confusing - Core models with DoM in 2023 nitro-over-nitro or not?

 

[Monahan]

The date ranges are confusing - Core models with DoM in 2023 nitro-over-nitro or not?

As I read it, sometime in 2023 the formulation for all US made guitars was changed to nitro over nitro. Perhaps someone at PRS could give more insight as to exactly when the change began(?)