V12 Redux

[László]

Back in the Old PRS Forum days, there was an eternal Nitro vs Poly debate.

Because I truly believed that my PRSes were the best sounding guitars on the planet (at least for my own taste), I scoffed at the idea that a nitro finish vs. a poly finish made any appreciable difference; I felt that if there was a difference at all, which I heavily doubted, it was in how heavily a finish was applied.

However, I may have been wrong, as now I have a couple of the V12 guitars. In my estimation, they're sonically a cut above my previous models (and there were quite a number of them!).

I'm told this finish can be applied more lightly than the poly finishes. Now, it's also true that the models I have are different in other respects from the older models, in terms of pickups, bridge design (in the case of the Str.58), newer-design hardware, etc. But I do like the newer guitars PRS has been turning out with the V12 even better than the older ones, and that's saying a lot.

I think the V12 looks great, and it seems to be about as durable as my older poly models. It's not sticky like my old nitro finished Gibsons. So I'm wondering how the rest of the crew digs the V12?

 

[vchizzle]

Yeah, so many variables involved here. Tough to determine. The fact that they can apply it thinner, no doubt would be a big factor. I have poly from 90's that sound incredible as well. I had a hard time with the nitro stickiness - although the satin nitro feels great. I love the way my stripper feels and looks. Haven't had it long enough to determine durability yet.

 

[László]

Yeah, so many variables involved here. Tough to determine. The fact that they can apply it thinner, no doubt would be a big factor. I have poly from 90's that sound incredible as well. I had a hard time with the nitro stickiness - although the satin nitro feels great. I love the way my stripper feels and looks. Haven't had it long enough to determine durability yet.

I'd agree, too many variables to be certain about the whole tone thing. But I do feel certain that I like the newer PRSes a little better.

The V12 has a nice look to it; takes a polish well, doesn't look goopy, yet it also doesn't look overly "plastic." And there's that whole "not sticky" thing happening that's just great, as my body chemistry seems to melt regular nitro for the most part.

 

[ducmike]

I go back and forth on the nitro vs poly thing. I used to be nitro only. And the thin coat being more important argument makes sense to me. But, I have a 29 year old Japanese strat (it's older than my bandmates :shock: ) with a thick poly finish that resonates and is as loud acoustically, if not louder, than my nitro DGT. And my DGT is loud acoustically.

I don't worry about the finish anymore and just listen to the guitar. I do like that the V12 is basically cured instantly and is much tougher than a nitro guitar. All of the newer V12 PRSi sound great to me. I hope to own one soon.

 

[László]

I go back and forth on the nitro vs poly thing. I used to be nitro only. And the thin coat being more important argument makes sense to me. But, I have a 29 year old Japanese strat (it's older than my bandmates :shock: ) with a thick poly finish that resonates and is as loud acoustically, if not louder, than my nitro DGT. And my DGT is loud acoustically.

I don't worry about the finish anymore and just listen to the guitar. I do like that the V12 is basically cured instantly and is much tougher than a nitro guitar. All of the newer V12 PRSi sound great to me. I hope to own one soon.

I think it's smart not to worry about the finish and simply listen to the guitar. Let's face it, there are some great guitars out there that are going to sound wonderful if they're covered in concrete! (OK, exaggerating about the concrete).

I'm not 100% sure I'm even right about the thin coat thing -- it just seems to make sense based on my limited knowledge and experience, and from what I've read. The thing I'm confident about is that - having owned quite a number of PRSes over a 21 year period - for me, the newer V12 guitars work phenomenally well.

I've also got a nitro finished PRS acoustic, and luckily, it's not sticky; it also sounds absolutely great!