The blue-colorway discussion reminds me: Are PRS blue and violet dyes stable(r) now?

[Kiwi]

The gorgeous blue, violet, and aqua colors in the "Blue Colorway" thread makes me ask:

Are the dyes PRS uses these days more stable against fading?

I'm been on this PRS board a long time and seen so many splendid guitars fade to... well, other colors.

Do we still keep them in the dark, and only bring them out by moonlight?

=K

 

[andy474x]

Short answer - yes, I’ve still seen reports about blue colors fading. How prevalent it is overall compared to in the past, no idea, but I passed on many a gorgeous blue guitar when I was shopping for my last couple just because I didn’t want to take that chance. I keep all my core guitars in the case, but still, I’d be paranoid just playing them outside.

 

[DISTORT6]

 

[László]

Translucent dyes are organic, and some are very photosensitive. But you can't see through inorganic dyes, so organic they must be. If you want blue, it's a little more photosensitive than other colors owing to the chemical makeup of the dyes. Just the way it is.

In ancient times the dyes used for blue and violet came from snails left out in the sun. It's all about the sun, I guess.

However, I have two blue plus violet PRS Guitars -- both are in the Blue Colorway thread; one's the Northern Lights guitar, and the other is Aquableux/Purple burst. You probably saw them.

The Northern Lights model is from 2016. I do keep them cased when not in use. No fading on either one, and I think after six years the NL guitar has shown remarkable color-fastness.

But again I stress: Cased when not being played.

If you play outdoors a lot in the sunshine, you might want to use a different guitar or pick a different color. I've been playing mine in the studio only, but that's par for the course for me. I would, however, happily take them to another studio, or play outdoors at night.

Or maybe I wouldn't care...not sure about that one!

 

[Vazzy]

No fading on this one yet though I do play it a lot. I do keep it in its case when I am not playing. Sometimes I leave it out for longer but it's usually not hit by the sun. This is from 2020.

i am hoping that its darker color schema will help it last longer. Still I am taking no chances!

 

[shinksma]

I have several PRSi, Core and SE, that have Blue finishes (either partially or completely).

I have owned some of them for 4 or 5 years or more, some just a few years, some quite recently acquired. Many are much older, since I often buy used. They hang on the wall 100% of the time. But, my hallway where everything usually hangs is "dim" at best - no direct sunlight, some ambient light near the end of the day, and overhead pot lights if I need to light up the area (usually not). Similar for the music room that might be where they reside when handy for practice/writing, though that room has more ambient light (but still no direct light).

I have not experienced any fading. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

As always, YMMV. Might be pure luck based on which specific dye used, how it was applied, and when/how much sunlight exposure.