1990 CU24 colors??

[UncleP]

My first post...
I have a very late 1990 Custom 24. I believe the color is Whale Blue, gold, birds 10 top, wide thin neck. . I am original owner and it is still my favorite guitar. Played a bit through college, took time off to raise family, now just enjoying the guitar through a small amp & few pedals.

I am sending it to PRS to have the pots cleaned, a setup / calibration and to repair a small 1/8" nick in the clear coat. While the guitar is in excellent condition they do offer a refinish option and I was told I could change the color if I wished

Well that has me thinking...the whale blue is pretty dark & I always thought it hides a lot of the wood's figuring / character....and it is stamped as a 10 top. I want to keep the guitar as authentic as possible so I have been trying to find somewhere that shows some of colors available in 1990. Although some if the current translucent finishes I've seen here look pretty fine.

Looking for feedback on changing the color. Hopefully a forum member has a 1990 PRS catalog and can post samples of the colors availed back then.


Thanks!

 

[László]

I had a very nice cherry burst back then (not dark cherry burst), and I know that vintage yellow, a translucent red, and translucent green were also available, but I don't remember the names of those colors offhand. I'm sure there were many other colors, but I haven't got a catalog from that period to check.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Whale Blue would be tough to sand out so a complete color change might be a challenge. I'm sure it can be done but you have other options. Whale blue tends to fade. If it were mine and I wanted to see more figure, I'd take it apart and put it in direct sunlight for a month. That would yield a cool faded blue jean vibe. You might also consider letting them lightly sand the top to get a washed-out version of the same color.

 

[UncleP]

Whale Blue would be tough to sand out so a complete color change might be a challenge. I'm sure it can be done but you have other options. Whale blue tends to fade. If it were mine and I wanted to see more figure, I'd take it apart and put it in direct sunlight for a month. That would yield a cool faded blue jean vibe. You might also consider letting them lightly sand the top to get a washed-out version of the same color.

well I have owned the guitar since 1991. It looks as dark as the day it was bought! Any thoughts if changing the color ruins the value? Especially if it's not one that was available in 1990?

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Yes, refinishing PRS guitars tends to decrement the value. There are exceptions, but not many. If you've had it since 1991, why worry about resale value? Make it what you want it to be.

 

[cwhenke]

It's your guitar, but I agree with Hans about letting it fade. I had a whale blue Artist that started to fade and the finish sunk it. It was the best looking PRS I've owned.

 

[Whitecat]

'Faded' whale blue looks so good they've introduced it as a production colour. That oughta tell you something! As others have said, leave it out in a sunny room...

 

[CantankerousCarl]

From 1990 price list sheet; Custom is Color Group A:

 

[UncleP]

1990 price list. !

From 1990 price list sheet; Custom is Color Group A:

thanks! This is great info. I'll start searching on the color names to see what catches my eye. I remember back in 1990 there was a vintage yellow custom next to the whale blue one I ended up buying. So I can probably eliminate that color. I just got UPS notice that PRS has sent the shipping box....so I'll have to I'll likely call them after the guitar arrive at the factory to get their opinion if a different color would look any better. I like whale blue, I just wish it were a tad lighter to show more of the 10 top figuring...but I'll be just as happy to keep it the same color but completely restored to factory specs and condition.

 

[rugerpc]

Wow, Carl!

Way to come through in the clinch, bro!

...so many way cool members here!

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Wow, Carl!

Way to come through in the clinch, bro!

...so many way cool members here!

Lucky happenstance I suppose...I treated myself to a beautiful 1991 CU24 earlier this year (courtesy of the fine folks at The Grinning Elk Music Company, very cool fellows Ray and Lee) and it came with a motherlode of case candy...including the original price sheet. The facing page has the numbers broken down for the options that the original customer wanted, which is pretty cool. Kinda like provenance I guess. I scanned everything so I could ogle without worry. It was ordered / started in 1990, but finished in 1991. Neck cavity is 1-17-91, hang tag dates it 03-05-91.

Coolest thing in the case (besides the guitar) was from what I can tell an original first year color print catalog. It's exactly the same as the one identified as a 1985 PRS catalog on vintageprs.com.

 

[strat63]

Lucky happenstance I suppose...I treated myself to a beautiful 1991 CU24 earlier this year (courtesy of the fine folks at The Grinning Elk Music Company, very cool fellows Ray and Lee) and it came with a motherlode of case candy...including the original price sheet. The facing page has the numbers broken down for the options that the original customer wanted, which is pretty cool. Kinda like provenance I guess. I scanned everything so I could ogle without worry. It was ordered / started in 1990, but finished in 1991. Neck cavity is 1-17-91, hang tag dates it 03-05-91.

Coolest thing in the case (besides the guitar) was from what I can tell an original first year color print catalog. It's exactly the same as the one identified as a 1985 PRS catalog on vintageprs.com.

Any chance the one you got from The Grinning Elk was Cherry Sunburst with birds?

 

[UncleP]

Well, my 1990 CU24 is at the factory. Come to find out it is Royal Blue! I am seriously thinking about a full refinish which Matt (PRS) tells me takes the piece down to the wood and redoes the entire finish process -- results are like a brand new guitar. I have a small 1/4" "spot / chip" on the front near the base where the strap connects. He told me that a spot repair would t be completely invisible.

Since the piece is a dark finish, I can't really change the color to a light finish -- I was considering violin. He suggested Faded Blue Jean -- to bring out more of the 10 top figure. I googled the color -- what I saw didn't grab me. I found Faded Whale Blue which seems to be a richer color than FBJ and not as dark as my current Royal Blue. He also said I probably would not be able to have the natural binding since it is currently dark blue.

Welcome comments, thoughts....any one else have had PRS change the color?

Thx...

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Any chance the one you got from The Grinning Elk was Cherry Sunburst with birds?

Why yes...yes it was. Formerly yours?

 

[strat63]

Why yes...yes it was. Formerly yours?

It was not mine but I was very interested in buying it. Beautiful guitar

 

[CantankerousCarl]

It was not mine but I was very interested in buying it. Beautiful guitar

Strat - I must've stared at this one for a few months...had a bad feeling that if I didn't do something soon it would disappear...if it makes you feel any better, it does get played / worshipped several times a week, even when some others get neglected.

 

[strat63]

Strat - I must've stared at this one for a few months...had a bad feeling that if I didn't do something soon it would disappear...if it makes you feel any better, it does get played / worshipped several times a week, even when some others get neglected.

I'm glad you play it. This is one of those guitars that I wanted but really have no use for. It is possible to have too many CU24s.