PRS Silver Sky Poly VS Nitro - I don't feel the difference

[guitar_string]

Hello

I have already 3 PRS Silver Sky USA. One in Horizon color from 2018 (first edition) in Poly finish. Very thin layer.

After I purchased a Maple version from 2021 in Moc Sand color. I sold it.

Recently I have a nice color Roxy Pink with Rosewood from 2023 in Nitro finish.

The topic are that I can't find difference in sound from 2018 (poly) or 2023 (nitro). More than that, for me the 2018 sounds and feel better:

Why?

Thanks, best regards

 

[Rider1260]

The finish difference is only the body the neck has always been Nitro.
To be honest if done correctly ( as PRS has done for years ) I don't think a normal person will hear the difference between a poly or nitro finish on an electric guitar.
The biggest difference is they changed the pickups I think for 2020 to be lower output.

 

[Maxime Bousquet]

Nitro lets the instrument breathe, while poly is like armor. On an electric guitar it's less noticeable but with an acoustic guitar it makes perfect sense, personally just the smell of nitro is worth it!

 

[CelticDave]

PRS has mastered the poly finish to the point of it not feeling like those thick plastic-like guitars of the past. I dropped by GC tonight and played an SE 594 Standard. The finish was smooth, had plenty of sheen, but the wood didn't feel drenched in goo like some others in that price point.

All that being said, the old-school guitar nerd in me's been looking to get another SS (I had an early midnight rose that just didn't speak to me) and I lean more towards the '20+ models which are full nitro. Presented with the right deal though, I wouldn't hesitate to go for one of the earlier poly/nitro ones.

 

[Maxime Bousquet]

PRS has mastered the poly finish to the point of it not feeling like those thick plastic-like guitars of the past. I dropped by GC tonight and played an SE 594 Standard. The finish was smooth, had plenty of sheen, but the wood didn't feel drenched in goo like some others in that price point.

All that being said, the old-school guitar nerd in me's been looking to get another SS (I had an early midnight rose that just didn't speak to me) and I lean more towards the '20+ models which are full nitro. Presented with the right deal though, I wouldn't hesitate to go for one of the earlier poly/nitro ones.

Yes perfectly
All right! Today poly is better applied and thinner, more plastic effect, the advantages of having a poly finish far outweigh it but for the relic side nothing beats nitro!

 

[Prs Mods too]

Yes perfectly
All right! Today poly is better applied and thinner, more plastic effect, the advantages of having a poly finish far outweigh it but for the relic side nothing beats nitro!

Nitro makes for invisible repairs too. Poly sucks for that but is more durable so somewhat less chance of needing repair.

 

[CelticDave]

Nitro makes for invisible repairs too. Poly sucks for that but is more durable so somewhat less chance of needing repair.

I recently picked up a McCarty Soapbar goldtop and the finish is chipping off in chunks across the body. Granted, it wasn’t well taken care of before I acquired it, but to your point, nitro ages and takes a beating in a much more acceptable way.

Side note, I decided to return the McSoapy this evening. By the time I’d replace everything on it to get it up to spec, I’d be too deep in the hole.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

When I realized that David Gilmore's black strat was likely a poly painted strat, I kinda quit worrying about it.

I do like how Nitro wears though.

 

[guitar_string]

Thanks!

 

[BrianC]

On other guitars:

Nitro can have a cool look as it ages. It was the original, so vintage is cool. Warn in vibe...

Poly looks mint and shiny. Very durable holding the look.

Differences in sound - don't believe the haters.

 

[CelticDave]

Differences in sound - don't believe the haters.

I agree. I've played excellent instruments in both camps.

 

[marzio.grava]

I own a 2018 Onyx and a 2023 Roxy Pink.
IMHO, the biggest and most noticeable differences are in feel when it comes to the neck (2018: lacquered neck vs 2023: more of a satin feel, or less lacquered), frets (2018: 6230 frets vs 2023: 6105), and sound but that’s mostly about volume and not character.
The best solution is to keep both and use them to their best capabilities! Cheers!

 

[Fatherjones.com]

Nitro doesn't allow anything to 'breathe'. Nothing is breathing. Poly doesnt have to be thick. Only thing that matters is how something vibrates. Thin hard finish allows more vibration than thick rubbery finish. Thin nitro and thin polyurethane or catalyzed acrylic can sound excellent. Nitro ages visually in a way many find attractive ... and smells nice.

 

[TheX]

Nitro doesn't breathe. It also never cures. I have done too many nitro finishes to count. I love them for the ease of repair, but not for durability.

 

[László]

I'd agree with TheX that the idea of a finish 'breathing' is a little strange, though even Tom Anderson, who uses a thin UV-cured poly finish, claims that his finish lets the wood 'breathe'.

Maybe builders are just using the word to describe how a finish does or doesn't impede the wood's ability to resonate, or it's just a market buzzword.

On balance, however - whatever the reason may be - ever since the original DGT came out in 2008, I've noticed a slight difference in tone between the nitro and poly finishes. When I picked up a DGT in the first year I was immediately struck by a certain overtone that reminded me of my old Gibsons, starting with my '65 SG Special.

Granted, could have just been that guitar. Could have been other improvements to the guitars.

But I've had at least 25 of the poly PRS models, and probably 10 of the nitro models, including several Private Stocks bought when they were still finishing the Cores with poly (and I had a few Cores at the same time). That's a decent enough sample size (for me) to feel comfortable with my belief that nitro has a 'family' sound that's a little different. Probably not important, but I think it's there.

One nice thing about the PRS nitro is that it's a hard nitro, not as soft and sticky as the Gibson formulation, or other nitro finishes I've handled.

I think it looks and feels a bit nicer than poly. I don't think there are drawbacks, at least not in the 11 years I've owned nitro finished PRS'.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I have poly and non poly PRS and I can't feel a difference either. I don't think PRS himself cares much about nitro vs poly given that he didn't decide to switch to nitro until after making poly finish guitars for decades

The actual application and thickness of the finish is FAR more important than its chemical formulation.


In 2024 words like "nitro finish" don't carry too much meaning imo outside of marketing. These formulations have little to no resemblance of nitro finishes of the golden era, and in most instances the nitro is applied over some sort of undercoat (often... poly)

 

[László]

I don't think PRS himself cares much about nitro vs poly given that he didn't decide to switch to nitro until after making poly finish guitars for decades

My only comment here is that Paul cares very much about finishes; the poly finishes went through a number of iterations. And there was nitro from the start on maple necks, even though there was poly on the bodies of the guitars. My '93 Artist II had a different finish from other core models, too.

When Shawn was here there was discussion about the change to V12 whenever that was, and his reply was that there were several poly formulations after that. This was prior to the nitro Core stuff, if memory serves.

Paul has said on video that the worst thing that happened with finish formulations was when the auto makers started using flexible paint on the bumpers; he felt that it was rubbery and inhibited the guitar.

When I ordered my Private Stock acoustic in 2013, I was worried about a sticky nitro finish in summertime, and was considering poly so I asked about it.

The PS team's response was that Paul would not allow poly to be used on a Core or PS acoustic. So clearly finishes are something he feels strongly about.

The day the PS acoustic got here it was in the 90s and humid, came off a hot truck, and I was hoping against hope that it would be OK in the heat and humidity. I was SO relieved that it wasn't remotely sticky, and the finish is in perfect shape after nearly 11 years.

 

[spawnofthesith]

My only comment here is that Paul cares very much about finishes; the poly finishes went through a number of iterations. And there was nitro from the start on maple necks, even though there was poly on the bodies of the guitars. My '93 Artist II had a different finish from other core models, too.

When Shawn was here there was discussion about the change to V12 whenever that was, and his reply was that there were several poly formulations after that. This was prior to the nitro Core stuff, if memory serves.

Paul has said on video that the worst thing that happened with finish formulations was when the auto makers started using flexible paint on the bumpers; he felt that it was rubbery and inhibited the guitar.

When I ordered my Private Stock acoustic in 2013, I was worried about a sticky nitro finish in summertime, and was considering poly so I asked about it.

The PS team's response was that Paul would not allow poly to be used on a Core or PS acoustic. So clearly finishes are something he feels strongly about.

The day the PS acoustic got here it was in the 90s and humid, came off a hot truck, and I was hoping against hope that it would be OK in the heat and humidity. I was SO relieved that it wasn't remotely sticky, and the finish is in perfect shape after nearly 11 years.

I guess perhaps I worded that poorly, I wasn't trying to imply that he doesn't care about finishes

Totally makes sense on a PS acoustic too! Got any pics? sounds like a sweet guitar!

 

[László]

I guess perhaps I worded that poorly, I wasn't trying to imply that he doesn't care about finishes

Oh you're fine! I just wanted to address it.

Totally makes sense on a PS acoustic too! Got any pics? sounds like a sweet guitar!

It cured me of any desire to look at other acoustics, the guitar is a cannon! The top is Adirondack Spruce, back, sides and neck are Maple. Ebony fretboard. It has dual carbon fiber strength rods instead of a truss rod. The neck hasn't moved at all since I got it. It's incredible to play.

I ordered it without much bling. I didn't want to be teased pulling it out at a session with other musicians.

But it’s still fairly fancy.

 

[GGJJGG]

Are the private stock acoustics in the same price range as the PS electrics?