Color consistency question

[Kdogg788]

This isn't a major deal but I picked up a Sapphire Custom 24 SE as my first PRS. Since then I've noticed other listings on Reverb for Sapphire PRS guitars however the color looks much different on other guitars. Is it typical for PRS colors to vary so much? In all honesty I really like my color but all of these are labeled with the same PRS color.

Here is the one I have which I totally love:
https://reverb.com/item/19600190-pr...-guitars-special-sapphire-0352?show_sold=true

Another in the same run looks more blue and darker:
https://reverb.com/item/18401965-prs-se-custom-24-quilt-moore-guitars-special-sapphire-1736

Here is one that looks green:
https://reverb.com/item/14870147-paul-reed-smith-prs-se-custom-24-sapphire

This one is medium blue:
https://reverb.com/item/1512835-prs-se-torero-sapphire-emg-81-85

Here are others that look dark dark blue:
https://reverb.com/item/20954076-paul-reed-smith-custom-24-2018-sapphire
https://reverb.com/item/17816774-paul-reed-smith-custom-24-sapphire

-k

 

[Ovibos]

Wood varies, SEs aren't all made at the same factory, etc

But I wouldn't compare colors of SE stained veneers to core guitars with full maple tops that are stained.

 

[elvis]

I have noticed that blues in particular, and dark colors in general, photograph completely differently depending on light and angle. I have to keep reminding myself of this before I buy yet another guitar that won't match the photo unless I have it outside on a sunny day.

 

[Griz]

I agree there are some differences, especially the one from Tokyo.

Also remember, some differences can be accounted for in the use of proper studio lighting with pro cameras vs iphone/android phone cameras and in the proper white balance setting, or lack thereof, in the picture itself.

 

[elvis]

Also important to note that not all similarly named colors are actually the same color.

Emerald Green was a much darker green than the currently available Emerald.

 

[DickBanks]

From a very light green to almost whale blue--quite a bit of variation.

But they all look.....very good.

 

[Kdogg788]

I like the looks of all of them as well. They all look great! I just found it odd that there was that much variation among guitars that are supposed to be the same color. I don’t recall any other color from other brands with as much variation. Another explanation could be that some of the listings may have the color incorrectly labeled. I know that mine is Sapphire because the seller commissioned a limited run of 25 SE guitars however some like the green might be mislabeled.

-k

 

[veinbuster]

There is some variation in colour with PRS, especially in blues - the wood doesn’t always absorb the dyes in the same way. But, I believe the lighting while taking photos contributes much more to the apparent colour difference than the actual guitar does.

And yes, the label on listings isn’t always right.

 

[ViperDoc]

Digital photography can produce drastically different results through different cameras, post processing, white balance, under different lighting, etc. Also, different trees take stain differently than others with the same exact dye recipe. My Teal Black Fade P24 doesn’t look anything like the dealer photos. I called them on it and they admitted to punching up the contrast. The guitar sounded killer, so I’ve lived with it.

 

[triumph1971]

I realize this an old post but for anybody reading it there is the normal dark blue Sapphire and a color called Green Sapphire that is similar to aqua! I have a SE Torero that is Green Sapphire and I was told that it was a "Japan only" color for the Torero in the year mine is from. Whether that's correct I don't truly know but it's a GORGEOUS COLOR!

 

[László]

A look at a random group of unfinished wood blanks will tell you that there are different shades in maple. That affects how the stain looks. A yellow-ish wood with a blue stain might, for example, lean toward green.

Then too, different pieces of wood absorb stain differently. They're all unique.

Finally, I think the stain colors are mixed and applied by hand, by individual artisans. There'll be a tiny bit of variance. It's an art, not a science!

People always say they want hand-made this and that, and then when they see it, they're all about demanding uniformity and want to know why this hand-stained thing isn't exactly like that hand stained thing!

Well, hello, it can't be.

If folks want predictable, repeatable finishes, buy an opaque finish. It'll be the same every time. If you want to see the wood, it's going to be an organic, transparent, hand mixed, hand applied stain, and no two are exactly the same. As far as I'm concerned, this is as it should be!

If you want stain, be prepared for the fact that no two are alike. This, to me, is as it should be, but some folks just can't handle it.