Is This Tele Lacquer Or Poly??

Hi all...

I have a friend with an '04 American made Telecaster (serial number Z4008625) that he wants me to relic...

I want to make sure it's not poly before going down this road...

So-ooo, here tis:

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/IMG_0400.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/IMG_0402.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/IMG_0403.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/IMG_0405.jpg

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/e_stamp/IMG_0404.jpg

What do ya'll think?? Lacquer or poly??

Thanks in advance....

Don't they all use a poly basecoat? So I'd imagine you'd have to strip completely and refinish it... I'll let the people who know what their talking about answer though

Cue Ron!

If it is American Series/Standard and Poly it will have a micro-tilt adjustment hole in the neck plate.

If it is Highway 1 and lacquer it won't.

Can't tell from your photos.

Despite some mods (tuners, bridge assembly), I think that is a USA Highway One Texas Tele.

2 tone sunburst over light weight ash. Nice bodies, routinely lighter than the American Deluxe Ash (1802) for what reason I do not know. Soft matte finish, with some orange peel.

What you have is an acrylic lacquer topcoat over a bulletproof catalyzed hard shell skin base.

Rusticating will be a serious pain. The undercoater is really really tough; the topcoating will come off if you look at it the wrong way.

I'd find him another body - this one is worth nice money as is, IMO. Nice light ash, very tasty looking. No reason to trash it and not even get an acceptable look in the end.

OK, that's exactly the input I needed, folks....
Thanks!!