I have just learned that the neck on my recently purchased Collings 03 is finished in straight polyurethane. I find this disturbing.

To me one of the great attractions of a 'high-end' guitar is the way the finish--both neck and body--ages. Sure, nitro necks get sticky when they get hot. But this is just part of the process that leads to the patina that makes a worn-in neck so playable. Apparently, though, my $5,000 plus, Collings is not going to go through this process. Apparently it's going to feel like plastic forever.

So what are my options? I guess:
(1) learn to live with it;
(2) sell the guitar (at a substantial loss);
(3) have the neck refinished (at great expense).

I would appreciate the views of others who (like me) think that polyurethane has no place on a fine musical instrument.

Byrd

Can you share the source of the info about the neck finish? My understanding, from a conversation with Collings staff, is that the base coat is a polymer that seals the wood and acts as a base for the nitro finish that is on top of the polymer. You mentioned polyurethane - is that the specific polymer you were told is on the neck. I too will be disappointed if the neck of my OM is not top-coated with nitro. I think my '94 C-10 is all nitro, but that is merely an assumption. Hmmmm - things that make you go hmmm.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Randy Carone,

I love the neck finish on my Collings guitars. It's smooth, looks good, is very durable and easy to maintain. I don't know what the attraction is to a worn beat up look but there are plenty of older guitar you could have bought for less cost that already have a "patina" I guess it's another example that shows it pays to ask ahead of time about things that are important to you.
Rick

Randy,

I got the information on this forum. Do a search on 'poly/nitro' (acoustic guitar).

You will find a couple posts by 'epaul' there (June 2003). He appears to be well informed. However, he also says that he wishes Collings would drop the nitro completely because of its 'stickyness' and 'vulnerability'. (The Taylor finish is apparently his favorite.)

I spoke with a Collings dealer today who did not know how the necks are finished.

Byrd

The necks are not finished in nitro, but it is an acrylic laquer, I believe, which is essentially poly, and will not age at all like nitro. On top of that, the bodies (I believe on the back and sides) have the acrylic laquer undercoat, and then they are sprayed with nitrocellulose laquer on top of that. This is one thing that I dislike about Collings, and I think that the finish is a bit too thick. The neck being entirely acrylic really bothers me too, as I don't like the way it feels. I guess it's just me, but I like the guitar to age gracefully, instead of appearing brand new when they are 20 years old. I'm not certain but I believe the top is the only part of a collings that is fully nitro.

Also, Dana Bourgois uses a form of poly, and not laquer for his guitars, as he believes that Nitro takes too long to fully harden (like 20 years) and he claims that his finish dries harder immediately so that it has tonal benefits. I personally love the fact that over time Nitro becomes more and more brittle and that it actually get thinner over time.

I will say that whatever finish Collings uses, their guitars sound amazing from the begining.

They use a UV poly on the necks. the bodies are a UV poly with nitro top coat.

This doesn't refer to the necks specifically but I am quite disappointed that any poly touches a Collings!! Tsk Tsk!!
Straight from the horse's mouth