Fender American Vintage Finish

kswilson89

About a year ago I was looking into getting an AV strat and remember reading that Fender use a 'flash coat lacquer' that, in many cases, had begun to chip off after a matter of weeks or months... almost as if the lacquer hadn't taken to the wood properly. Most of the discussions I read on this topic were 4 or 5 years old. Does anyone know whether Fender have addressed this issue in recent years or does the lacquer continue to chip off?

GavRichList

Pretty sure it's by design to a great extent. Just bought one myself, and the paintwork is very very thin - lovely though. Ten times nicer than the supposed nitro of the old AVRI series (I have both, and the AVRI is barely different to Poly, whereas my AV65 is noticeably nicer in every way). 

I think the idea is that they age more authentically. 

richardhomer

I had a 2013 Pure Vintage US Strat and it seemed to mark if you looked at it for too long - the most fragile finish I've ever encountered on an electric guitar.

I don't know if this has changed - but I'm not a fan of it.

crunchman

I've got an early 2000s AVRI that marks a lot easier than a poly finish.  I know it might not satisfy the purists and there may be a poly coat underneath but it is still nitro.

Panama_Jack666

I got one a month or so ago. Already added two significant chips in the paint just by looking directly at it...

Niallseroreilly

Ive got a 2013 AVRI 59 strat in sonic blue with a mint pickguard, i play it a lot... but honestly other than a few small dings it still looks perfect... i honestly havent noticed an issue with the thin skin...and if hold your ear to the body you can hear it breathing....and talking....it tells me to buy more gear...

SNAKEBITE

I remember the finish on the old Highway 1 was advertised as being exceptionally thin, maybe "tone" related, but it certainly wore in quickly..........

AndyJP

I've got the AVRI 64 Tele and yes the lacquer is very thin. It started to chip as soon as I brought it home.  But for me that's part of it's charm...  I want it to look relic-ed.