PRS 2024 finish formulation changed

[Bobd]

I have a 2003 CE 22 which received some dings at the back over time where the finish came off...
I have a late 2022 Tungsten Silver Sky with no problems despite some "incidents ". The only thing, they kinda overtorqued the neck plate. 2 dents and a crack in the finish.
My Cherry Burst Paul's guitar from 2024 has a great finish too, despite some incidents ...
So no complaints here on the newer finishes which seem pretty durable to me. The "PRS" nitro btw feels great too. Not sticky.

 

[glacier_blue]

こんにちは！
This is the topic I'm most interested in right now!
I tried a lot of McCarty and McCarty594 in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
I tried a lot of McCarty and McCarty594 in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Painting is not everything, but a more open and acoustic sound is my preference.
It may be because I use a lot of crunch from clean.
How do you feel about the impact on the sound of painting?

 

[FatFingerBlues]

I have a 2023 S2 10th Anniversary Cu24
its a wonderful guitar
one of my favorites
but I believe it has the new nitro
I am seeing some wear on the edge of the guitar where my forearm rides
(The gold is shining through the black)

As for whether the finish changes the guitar's tone?
I cant say. The guitar is resonant but not as much as my SE Bernie
But the Bernie is a lot thicker and a bit heavier
Surely that has more to do with sound than the finish

 

[Rod/]

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

Very Interesting!”

 

[Glide-bpm]

Surprisingly interesting....

 

[glacier_blue]

I have a 2023 S2 10th Anniversary Cu24
its a wonderful guitar
one of my favorites
but I believe it has the new nitro
I am seeing some wear on the edge of the guitar where my forearm rides
(The gold is shining through the black)

As for whether the finish changes the guitar's tone?
I cant say. The guitar is resonant but not as much as my SE Bernie
But the Bernie is a lot thicker and a bit heavier
Surely that has more to do with sound than the finish

S2 is very attractive to players!
I played a lot of 2023 models, but from a certain stage, I felt that it was all lacquer (the notation is 23, but the manufacture is close to 24).
Even if it's not lacquer, if it comes out with a good tone, there's no problem at all

 

[xratic]

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

Glad the Indonesian SE Standard 24-08 I just purchased was a (according to the serial #) 2023. I've heard some disturbing comments about the proclivities and durability of nitro finishes on some other makes of guitars. I have a 2010 SE Custom and a 2015 CE 24. The finishes of these are as beautiful and pristine as the day I bought them.
Think I'll just take a seat and observe until the dust on the NC finishes settles.

 

[FatFingerBlues]

Glad the Indonesian SE Standard 24-08 I just purchased was a (according to the serial #) 2023. I've heard some disturbing comments about the proclivities and durability of nitro finishes on some other makes of guitars. I have a 2010 SE Custom and a 2015 CE 24. The finishes of these are as beautiful and pristine as the day I bought them.
Think I'll just take a seat and observe until the dust on the NC finishes settles.

SE guitars have a poly finish
its the S2 and above that got the new nitro