First generation Joe Strummer Telecaster (2007-2009)

[xtrajerry]

I had one of the first generation Strummer’s, before my daughter inherited it, and IIRC, the ”finish” is really like a giant, vinyl cover, not anything like a regular finish of any kind. It’s not paint. She’s had it for several years, and the last time I saw it, there was a small blister that had popped up on the upper bass edge. Other than that, no real problems with the finish, and I know she played it quite a bit.

This^^^ iirc it was more like a skin… same thing with the Rory Gallagher Strat. Looks old and beat up but up close it’s skin similar to what car detailers use.
The Joe Strummer guitar is all about a big beefy neck, not something you want if you worry about finish. I only had mine a couple of weeks, traded it off as part of the deal to get the guitar i use for my avatar.

 

[Joe M]

xtrajerry, if you're talking about the CS Rory, the finish, what there is of it, is definitely lacquer of some kind. I've owned at least three of them at one time or another and can be sure that it isn't some kind of skin. I think the reason that every RG is exactly the same is that that is what the CS was going for, an exact replica of the real-deal. With the Strummer, it was just a cheaper alternative than trying to recreate the original precisely.....

 

[Fendereedo]

Still got mine, I was going to sell it a few years back, but then remembered it was a 50th from my wife. The body does have some kind

of vinyl cover, mine is bubbling and splitting now, but I'm not about salvaging it, it's probably the most played and best Tele I own.

 

[Southpole]

Wish I still had mine from 2007. Superb neck. I think Joe may have tried to refinish the original sunburst body with grey car primer paint so that may be what the current finish is emulating.