Nitro on mid-90'sJapan Fender?

[RETROROD]

I was fortunate to pick up a '95 FotoFlame Fender tele (nashvile-strat-o-tele) style.

Overall good condition with a few 'finish nicks'.....And most importantly....she spoke to me!  Does anyone know if the Japan-made Fenders were sprayed with nitroCell.....or poly?

It seems like nitrocellulose to me.

Since these,apparently are prone to 'finish cracking', I thought I might be "pro-active" and do a little 'touch-up.

[Paul Verticchio]

Hi Rod.

The only MIJ/CIJ Fenders that weren't finished in Poly are the EX Series. If the neck pocket has a model # with EX behind it, it's nitro. If not, it's poly.

The only Photoflames I've seen with cracks were physically abused OR left in a hot car which leads to the photo film under the finish to separate from the Basswood cap on the Alder body. When the film separates, the cracks develop. The body is wrapped in a film, it's "heat-shrinked" around the body & then finished.

I've maintained my brother-in-law's Photofalme Strat for over 15 years. He's TOUGH on his stage guitars and his is still crack & finsih flaw free.  Care for it like a guitar SHOULD be treated and there's no problem.

Personally, I think the Photoflames get a lot of undeserved bad press. 

Most of the bad reviews seem to come from either kids who know nothing about real guitars or brand loyal zombies who won't buy anything but USA made instruments. The other thing they forget is that these instruments were not sold as 'premium instruments', but honestly advertised as a great looking, fine playing mid-level guitars. 

That's a great score, man. Photo's when completed?

Have a great weekend,

Paul :)

I've worked on a bunch of MIJ/CIJ Fenders and find their quality to be commensurate with the BEST USA made models (pickups & electronics are the exception).  Even the CIJ Squires are fine instruments.

[eliya]

I agree with Paul, it's probably poly and not nitro. You could test it to make sure: remove the pickguard, and rub some acetone with a q-top in an area that will be covered by the guard (maybe the pickup cavities?). If the finish wipes off, then it's nitro, if it doesn't then it's poly. The acetone might, however, dull or turn that area matte-looking, so again, only do it somewhere you and no one else will see until the pickguard is removed.

Nitro finishes are indeed more vulnerable than polyester ones, particularly when the weather changes abruptly, or if it gets too cold. So if it ends up being nitro (I doubt it), you should keep it in a climate controlled room, but that's something I'd do with all guitars anyway.

[RETROROD]

Thanks for the info Paul! I found an internet site on the FotoFlames that supports what you say also. This one is in really good shape and I don,t think I have to worry about the minimal dings after all. It will not be in any hostile environments.