About the "charcoal burst" color

[yuyue]

Hi.

Do you guys think that there is a minor (or major) variation of the tone color on charcoal burst guitars?

I mean there's basically "brown-like" and another with "black gray like".

More brown:
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODA5WDU1MA==/z/HikAAOxynLhR8Vvr/$T2eC16ZHJGsFFMmRO5%297BR8VvrLLFQ~~60_57.JPG
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTU5OVgxNTk5/z/vb8AAOxydlFS79GZ/$_57.JPG
http://bughakata.up.n.seesaa.net/bughakata/image/Mokume_07.jpg?d=a0
http://musicstorelive.com/media/cat...24_charcoal_burst_electric_guitar_1319326.jpg

Black/gray:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk238/harker1440/DSC_0236.jpg
http://www.vintageandrare.com/uploads/products/29512/151776/original.jpg
http://www.tfoa.eu/user_files/images/Rozawood 009.jpg
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/k4kAAOxy0x1TV8kr/$_57.JPG

And the majority of the ME Quatro models look more "gray" oriented.
http://www.music-plant.com/webshop/upload/save_image/GBEGT1722.jpg
http://briansguitars.com/product/used-paul-reed-smith-modern-eagle-quatro-charcoal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYY8a1iUPu8

I only have seen 2 or 3 on my local store that didn't look "very brown" (or not brown at all). And... yeah. I decided to custom order one 1 month ago... And now I'm little afraid of what I'll get...

Or do you guys think that's ********, I'm imagining things and these color variation is because of the way they took the photos?

Thanks...

 

[László]

I've had a couple charcoal burst guitars, and it's one of my favorite colors, so I'm a little biased in favor of it.

The tones definitely vary a little in different lighting in photos, but in addition to the black, you also have a light gray/whitish stain on wood. Each piece is going to absorb and show the color in a unique way (I think that's why I like it so much). The black is definitely going to be black, but the lighter color stain that's layered in is what will vary a little bit.

Perhaps the MEQs look a little more gray because of the uniformity of the artist grade tops.

Maple varies, it's got a lot of beige and brown in it, and the pieces will absorb a light colored stain in a unique way. Embrace the outcome, don't worry about it!

 

[markie]

The differences are mainly due to the Darkness or whiteness of the base material (Maple cap). I have owned some that were brown/black & others that were white/black...........

 

[CHARISMAFIRE]

Not just charcoal, but ALL transparent stains will vary due to the color and figure of the base wood. I agree with Les........" embrace the outcome "

 

[sleary]

They vary but are all Damn sexy. By far my favorite finish.....

 

[Tag]

I think if you put those guitars side by side they will look the same color. Its the lighting in those pics that makes so much variation. What does vary on each guitar is the amount of dark and light color, and that depends on the wood, but the colors will be pretty much the same. I have seem many "charcoal" ME 1s, and they were all the same color. Depending on the width of the flame, there was much more variation of light to dark. A big wide quilt can have much more dark or much more light, but the colors will be essentially the same.

 

[chet]

I thought my Charcoal burst looked primarily gray and black until yesterday. The sun was shining on it late in the day and the browns came out. I am not a fan of brown but the guitar looked amazing.

 

[BrianC]

Mine varies quite a bit depending on lighting...

 

[sleary]

Lighting forsure effects it......

 

[László]

I like the idea that there's a certain randomness to the universe. When you order a guitar, you're buying into that randomness in a way, because you know you're not going to be able to control the outcome. You can't pick the guitar's looks or tone. You get what you get.

It's like having a baby. There are a lot of possible DNA combinations, and it's something of a crapshoot.

That can be a beautiful thing.

I always feel that the universe more or less picked out my guitar. Usually it works out. Sometimes not.

 

[rugerpc]

I like the idea that there's a certain randomness to the universe. When you order a guitar, you're buying into that randomness in a way, because you know you're not going to be able to control the outcome. You can't pick the guitar's looks or tone. You get what you get.

It's like having a baby. There are a lot of possible DNA combinations, and it's something of a crapshoot.

That can be a beautiful thing.

I always feel that the universe more or less picked out my guitar. Usually it works out. Sometimes not.

I have been letting my PRS guitars have free run in the closet. Maybe something interesting will happen. They all have good genes....

 

[yuyue]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'm now more relieved... And yeah, I'll just stop thinking about it and embrace the outcome.

The waiting is the worst part at all :wink:

But I need to admit that I should've have searched more about it (it's my first PRS at all) and it was somehow a impulsive purchase. Happens sometimes...

[...]
Perhaps the MEQs look a little more gray because of the uniformity of the artist grade tops.
[...]

Oh, looks like all MEQs are with Artist Grade tops, interesting. I also ordered an Artist Package one, hope it helps a little bit eliminating the damn brown thing
:goodnight::goodnight::goodnight:

 

[kevorkianMetal]

i think it all depends on the environment of where the picture is taken, and with or without flash.. I personally favor the "grey black" with v12 finish compared to the charcoal bust.. see avatar

 

[László]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'm now more relieved... And yeah, I'll just stop thinking about it and embrace the outcome.

The waiting is the worst part at all :wink:

But I need to admit that I should've have searched more about it (it's my first PRS at all) and it was somehow a impulsive purchase. Happens sometimes...





Oh, looks like all MEQs are with Artist Grade tops, interesting. I also ordered an Artist Package one, hope it helps a little bit eliminating the damn brown thing
:goodnight::goodnight::goodnight:

I'm sure it will look great.

Looking forward to your NGD post!

 

[chet]

I don't really like the color brown on a guitar but in certain lighting, it looks amazing. Personally, I was expecting my Charcoal burst to look different. I originally ordered a Charcoal contour burst. Several weeks later a Charcoal burst arrived. But I have to say the Charcoal burst looks and plays great.