PRS Nitro 2019-today cracking and checking

[Saberslash]

Hello everyone,

I wonder what are your experiences with PRS nitro cracking and checking with time? Any pictures will be much appreciated.

I got Golden Mesa Silver sky last year, factory sealed, I opened it first, and it had cracks in nitro under where the bridge was resting on body since apparently all USA SS ships with decked bridge due to John Mayer preference.

Second, I got brand new 2024 Custom 24 also factory sealed, it had light checking mark on bottom side of neck, near body..

Yesterday I installed dunlop straplocks(as I do with all my guitars, gibsons, fenders with nitro etc, never overthightening, with felt pads, same screw size, lubricate screw with wax or bar soap etc..), but on this core, nitro cracked on upper horn around and along the screw hole (posting pictures, it is on both sides of a horn).. Hopefully it won't spread, I do not mind wear on guitars, I know how nitro wears and works but this seems excessive on this core model.. even though, this cracks can't be felt on surface under fingernail, looks like they are underneath surface of a clearcoat

What do you think? I don't wanna return or replace guitar, I love it, but this nitro seems too delicate and fragile..Never had similar experience on Gibsons before. Thanks in advance

 

[Birdsofprey]

Walking up to your guitar I wouldn’t even notice that said I don’t dismiss your observation but the only time a guitar is new/mint is when it’s pulled out of the case from factory delivery. After that it starts it’s life as an instrument that we all can enjoy.

 

[JeffsRealm]

Cracking and Checking happen, it is usually hot and cold related I have never seen it on my PRS guitars but on my Les Paul's yes but I live in Michigan and play out, so going from warm bar to out in the snow to cold car, or visa vesra, Going from Air conditioning to play outside on a hot stage in summer. The wood swells and and changes the finish does not. Its actually how people prematurely age guitars too, put in a refrigeration room and then bring out, maybe hit with warm hair dryer. For people that this happens and not gigging out in weird weather. Hanging the guitar where heater or air conditioning vents blow on it causes it too or in a room that gets hit with sunlight gets hotter on sunny days and colder at night. I do not gig my PRS, they are just too unstable with the tuning for me. Wood moves a lot for some reason at least on all mine. I like playing them but you got to fiddle with tuning, no one comes to a show to watch you tune a guitar.

However, as I said I have not had this happen to my PRS though and I have older PRS than that. If I remember sometime in mid 2010-2020 they changed to like a light coat of poly or added some strengthener or something to the finish to help prevent checking like that. I have had finish pop on one of my PRS, this is where you get a big cloudy circle and the clear coat comes off the guitar. PRS did fix this for me. This was also on a very high end PRS.

 

[Jimster]

I have a 2 year old PRS Vela that has a nitro finish and it has checking on it. I ended up returning it to PRS and they are refinishing the instrument. You can read about and see it in my thread 'Vela Finish Cracking or Checking'. I will update that thread when I get the instrument back. I still have no idea what caused it.

 

[Saberslash]

I have a 2 year old PRS Vela that has a nitro finish and it has checking on it. I ended up returning it to PRS and they are refinishing the instrument. You can read about and see it in my thread 'Vela Finish Cracking or Checking'. I will update that thread when I get the instrument back. I still have no idea what caused it.

I’ve seen it, mine is not as near as bad as yours was.
But since I am in Europe, route is >>> dealer >>> PRS UK >>> Maryland.

But that won’t happen, I love the guitar and this is is so minor, makes no sense to send it even if they approve some repairs

 

[Saberslash]

Cracking and Checking happen, it is usually hot and cold related I have never seen it on my PRS guitars but on my Les Paul's yes but I live in Michigan and play out, so going from warm bar to out in the snow to cold car, or visa vesra, Going from Air conditioning to play outside on a hot stage in summer. The wood swells and and changes the finish does not. Its actually how people prematurely age guitars too, put in a refrigeration room and then bring out, maybe hit with warm hair dryer. For people that this happens and not gigging out in weird weather. Hanging the guitar where heater or air conditioning vents blow on it causes it too or in a room that gets hit with sunlight gets hotter on sunny days and colder at night. I do not gig my PRS, they are just too unstable with the tuning for me. Wood moves a lot for some reason at least on all mine. I like playing them but you got to fiddle with tuning, no one comes to a show to watch you tune a guitar.

However, as I said I have not had this happen to my PRS though and I have older PRS than that. If I remember sometime in mid 2010-2020 they changed to like a light coat of poly or added some strengthener or something to the finish to help prevent checking like that. I have had finish pop on one of my PRS, this is where you get a big cloudy circle and the clear coat comes off the guitar. PRS did fix this for me. This was also on a very high end PRS.

Mine is 2024 so it is nitro over CAB , latest formulation

 

[bodia]

Mine is 2024 so it is nitro over CAB , latest formulation

Actually, someone just posted in another thread something off the PRS website. Sometime in 2023 they changed from nitro/CAB to nitro/nitro

EDIT: Found it on the FAQ section on PRS website

What type of finish does PRS use on CORE guitars?​

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.

 

[Saberslash]

Actually, someone just posted in another thread something off the PRS website. Sometime in 2023 they changed from nitro/CAB to nitro/nitro

EDIT: Found it on the FAQ section on PRS website

What type of finish does PRS use on CORE guitars?​

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.

That was me haha, I found it today

 

[Ronald]

Hello everyone,

I wonder what are your experiences with PRS nitro cracking and checking with time? Any pictures will be much appreciated.

I got Golden Mesa Silver sky last year, factory sealed, I opened it first, and it had cracks in nitro under where the bridge was resting on body since apparently all USA SS ships with decked bridge due to John Mayer preference.

Second, I got brand new 2024 Custom 24 also factory sealed, it had light checking mark on bottom side of neck, near body..

Yesterday I installed dunlop straplocks(as I do with all my guitars, gibsons, fenders with nitro etc, never overthightening, with felt pads, same screw size, lubricate screw with wax or bar soap etc..), but on this core, nitro cracked on upper horn around and along the screw hole (posting pictures, it is on both sides of a horn).. Hopefully it won't spread, I do not mind wear on guitars, I know how nitro wears and works but this seems excessive on this core model.. even though, this cracks can't be felt on surface under fingernail, looks like they are underneath surface of a clearcoat

What do you think? I don't wanna return or replace guitar, I love it, but this nitro seems too delicate and fragile..Never had similar experience on Gibsons before. Thanks in advance

I have painted many cars and motorcycles over the decades with Nitro Cellulose lacquer (abreviated to just "Nitro"). It is the natural chemistry of this type of paint. It has very little, if any, plasticizer in it which is partly why it is so pretty when new. Nitro will craze, check and crack sooner or later. Exposure to temperature fluctuation accelerates this. Exposure to sunlight UV accelerates this. Some vintage cars and bikes that were originally painted with Nitro are more valuable/desirable today with their crazed, checked and cracked paint. I know it is not welcome on a new guitar but perhaps this will help you embrace the inevitable.