Satin Polyester Finishes

[Wannaflea]

Hi all! Haven't posted in a good while, so first off:

1) admins, sorry if this isn't in the right place, I went with gut instinct as finishes do pertain to basses
2) also, sorry if this has come up already, I have done a quick search, that turned up fruitless

My question: Does 'satin polyester' wear like polyutherene (sp) or nitro?

My circumstance: I'm looking for a bass that I can spend a lot of time with, and a bass that will show that. I like Fender Jazzes, and nitro seems the obvious choice. I've recently gone off the idea of a Road Worn, though I totally understand those who love em! I know that nitro will show your wear a lot better than poly (my Jazz of 3 years is just showing a couple of flecks on the metalwork, which I regularly clean off) and I'm essentially looking for the Road Worn look, but it being the result of my playing, not factory wear and tear. The Fender website shows a new Fender Modern Player Jazz Bass Satin Finish to have a 'satin polyester' body finish - is this what I'm looking for? If no, I have my eyes on the Classic 60's Jazz Laquer - would this be a better choice, simply based on finish?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Wannaflea]

bump!

 

[mikeswals]

Depends on how thick it is. If it's anything like the satin neck on my guitarists AMSTD Strat, no it will not wear through even when he's been playing the crud out of it weekly for 8 years. But when you look at some of the upper scale basses that use a thin satin coat, it is relatively easy to wear though.

 

[darkstorm]

Wears like poly except is thinner. None of the stickynes to finish you get with nitro that Ive had on gibsons in the past. Though some have said gibson nitro is poorly done.

 

[P Town]

I have found that satin finishes on my instruments become polished in the areas where they are handled. I have a Gibson SG guitar that is has what they call a Faded Cherry finish. While this one is not poly, it is nitro, the areas where my body comes in contact with it while playing is becoming more shiny, and polished in appearance. My New Fender Am Dlx P, and J have a satin polyurethane finish on the backs of the necks, and they become glossy from being polished by my hands, and I have to use a micro-mesh abrasive pad to restore the satin finish. I don't do anything to the Gibson to make the appearance look uniform, and as it looked when new.

Polyester is probably less durable than polyurethane, and more durable than nitro, so I think a satin polyester finish wont wear so much as it will become polished in areas where your arm, or hands cause a buffing effect.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Look for a highway one. Satin nitro wears easily.