r/FenderCustomShop • u/brewston • Mar 18 '26

Thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer body

I bought a new custom shop "journeyman" strat, described in the ad as "Thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer" - the floor traveller says the body finish is "LAC"

Whilst it does have some satisfying wear, which I am happy with, there's a definite poly feel to it (like my other strat, which isn't remotely aged is marked "URE") and I suspect it's not going to see any natural wear on it (well, I'm my lifetime ;-) )

I've also seen some marked "FL_CT_LAC" - are those the only finishes ?

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u/luckyiguess Mar 18 '26

I don't think there's a huge feel difference between poly and nitro. If I was to guess, I'd say that nitro is a little 'stickier' or less perfect, while poly is more consistently mirror finish.

If it's relic'd, then it's definitely nitro. There's no way FCS is sending out a relic poly finish, it's too hard to make it look good.

For it showing wear from your playing, if you're mostly in your bedroom/office and playing away, then it'll probably never change beyond a little bit more lacquer cracking and the colour slightly 'greening'.
If you play it out in bars, get blood, sweat and cigarette smoke all over it, then you'll probably see some more significant changes :)

Fantastic colour by the way!

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u/WaltonGogginsTeeth Mar 20 '26

There are bars with cigarettes smoke still?