Colour fade??

[guitarman001]

I just read on here that over time the tops on PRS' fade. How long does that take and does anybody have then and now pics?

 

[veinbuster]

It depends where you keep them. I've had a couple for almost 20 years that haven't faded at all. I keep them in the case most of the time they aren't being played.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

I just read that tops on every guitar ever made will fade.

Fixed it for ya.

As Pete said, depends where you keep them. UV is the enemy.

 

[guitarman001]

Fair point - I always keep mine in the case, too.

 

[László]

People want to see the wood. That means more transparent stains. That requires organic dyes. That means they are a bit more sensitive to light (not just UV by the way, photosensitivity can be to all parts of the light spectrum, and dyes will fade in artificial light, it's about the photons given off, not necessarily UV photons).

Keep them cased when not in use and they rarely fade at all. But hang them on the wall in a room with a window, or with electric lights, and they'll fade over time. How much depends on the intensity of the light and the colors themselves, as some colors have greater photosensitivity than others.

 

[g.wizz]

I love the FBJ color so much that i bought 2 PRS in a span of 4 months between the first
A CU22 and the last one the 513AP which has the darker stain and i'm keeping it
Hanging on the wall of the room that gets a little natural light so i'm hoping the color will fade
To the desired shade but it'll take some years i guess (see the color in my avatar).

 

[Callan]

... does anybody have then and now pics?

There were some posted in this thread:
http://prsguitars.com/forum/showthr...e-Jean-actually-looks-AMAZING!-Happy-accident

A couple of before and after pics for different guitars - both happen to be blue (originally)

 

[shinksma]

My 2002 Cu24 in emerald green is quite dark, actually, and I wouldn't mind if it would lighten up a bit. It hangs on the wall, but doesn't get any direct sunlight, and very little artificial lighting I suppose. I think it lived in its case before I bought in earlier this year - it looks to be a gigging guitar, not anywhere near mint condition, so probably came out of the case for practice or gigs only. I'm guessing that's why it hasn't faded a bit.

Can a guitar darken, if kept out of the light? Gotta wonder whether mine happens to be even darker than it started out...