Strip The Poly --keep The Burst?

[Mickguard]

I've read through the posts about stripping guitar bodies, but I don't know if this has been covered.

I have a Fender Classic '50s Esquire --it's an awesome guitar, great neck, and now that I've played an ash tele, I do indeed believe that wood has a big influence on tone (the alder teles I've played are definitely inferior in tone).

Only problem is the guitar is covered in a super-thick poly ...I just don't like that ultra-glossy, bullet proof look. I want the guitar to age properly.

So I'm planning on stripping the poly off and refinishing it with nitro.

My question: is it possible to strip the poly without ruining the burst? (I'd sand the poly)

I'm guessing it's not-- that the burst is applied on top of the sealer, right? But if it's beneath the sealer, then it should be possible.

It's a nice burst, so I don't mind keeping it. Of course, the guitar would look great as a blonde too.

[syxxstring]

Probably not gonna happen my friend. If you go all the way to the sealer you will loose the burst. I don't know how you keep the burst and loose the clear, Fender seems to be combining it into a single stage process these days. At least that's been my experience on some refinishes I've done.

[Mickguard]

I don't know how you keep the burst and loose the clear, Fender seems to be combining it into a single stage process these days. At least that's been my experience on some refinishes I've done.

Ah, okay, that's good to know.

I'm not married to the 'burst. I mean, it's nice and all, but I'm sure I can replicate a fascimile...or just change the color altogether...like a blue burst (I'll want to show off the ash, they did a really fine job matching the grain).

As long as I can keep the sealer coat intact, I'll be alright.

You know, all the other specs on this guitar match the '50s Esquire specs --so why did they bathe it in poly?

[marksound]

You know, all the other specs on this guitar match the '50s Esquire specs --so why did they bathe it in poly?

Because that's what they use at the Mexico factory. I'm pretty sure you won't find any Fender that doesn't have at least a polyester sealer coat, even the "thin skin nitro" finishes. It's just the way they do things these days.

[Mickguard]

You know, all the other specs on this guitar match the '50s Esquire specs --so why did they bathe it in poly?

Because that's what they use at the Mexico factory. I'm pretty sure you won't find any Fender that doesn't have at least a polyester sealer coat, even the "thin skin nitro" finishes. It's just the way they do things these days.

Well, I can see how a lot of people consider the poly finish a feature, since it really looks indestructible. I don't mind the poly sealer coat, since it will make it a whole lot easier to refinish (since it's so perfectly flat).