PAINT- Does the guitar's finish really matter? which is the best?

NITRO VS. LACQUER

There are 3 basic finishes found on electric guitars. 

Most are finished in a Polyurethane. It is a modern finish and it is more robust much because it is more rubber like and can stretch before breaking if it collides with a harder object. It is not porous outside moisture can not easily penetrate it. It is also very reflective. It resists fading from sunlight.

All guitars up until the mid 50's used Nitrocellulose Lacquer. It is brittle so it damages more easily. It is more porous and it can crack and check from changes in temperature.

Obviously as a protective finish Poly is better. Many players prefer Nitro as they find it feels and reacts like bare wood with nothing restricting the woods resonance. Many feel that the checking and fine cracks that usually happen over time add to the patina. In short ...look cool :-) It is much less reflective so it shows off wood grains much better.

Finally the third finish is an oil finish typically used for centuries on rifle gun stocks. Boiled linseed oil was the most common choice though Tung oil is as popular. Oil finishes resists dirt and moisture. It can be cleaned with Naphtha and dents and scratches can be easily hidden under a fresh coat of oil. In fact unlike paint you can touch up a mark or scratch with a little on a paper tissue and be back in service in minutes. It also can be applied by anyone with pro results and no special equipment even in a dusty environment. It's only downside is it needs maintenance. If not maintained some toxins in everyday dirt may cause dark stains.

.WHAT ABOUT TONE?

In the real word it is often impossible to tell. In spite of as some say poly is like painting your guitar with rubber it actually produces a brighter tone. If you use a wood like Basswood famous for it's lightweight and often used on high end metal guitars a poly could give the guitar a brighter and less dark sound. It is in the end 99% ascetics. If not the Nitro guys would demand an oil finish guitar or even no finish :-) I have 2 Strats... one is a Fender Custom Shop in Nitro the other is a 1998 U.S. made Peavey copy in Poly. Both have an alder boy and a maple neck. The Peavey sounds noticeably better and sustains longer. LOL

. CONCLUSION

In my opinion it gets down to the guitar. My first priority is usually if it has look that says 'buy me'. LOL 

After I own it and have probably changed the PU's sometimes the tuners or bridge etc. It is either a keeper or candidate to be Reverb-ed. I have an old Ibanez Jet King that looks more retro than retro! It has a thick heavy silver sparkle finish. It removes walls when I use it for Metal and has lows that are crushing! It is all stock. I also have an Gibson SG Standard Ltd. Ed. in a very attractive vintage sunburst. It to is stock. It has a 70's sound with no serious highs or lows just all mids yet it is beyond perfect. 

Finally when someone tells me they have the perfect guitar I have to ask. Perfect for what???  There are many perfect guitars ...but they all play and sound different.

So my Silvertone 1449 and my Harmony/Airline H-88 Stratotone Doublet have a safe home with me. My LACE Cybercaster designed by Grover Jackson and personally enhanced by Billy Gibbons ain't goin' nowhere. But I also love my fancy SG too.