big bob Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Hi-o, I'm just wondering if there is a risk of fade if a heritage is left in direct sunlight every day? Like the old g-brand's did when left in a shop window. Also could the heat effect the structure of the guitar? any thoughts.
DetroitBlues Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Hi-o, I'm just wondering if there is a risk of fade if a heritage is left in direct sunlight every day? Like the old g-brand's did when left in a shop window. Also could the heat effect the structure of the guitar? any thoughts. Wood will warp and discolor if left in sunlight and unless you have the newer auto paints on the guitar, the color will fade too.
Steiner Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Leaving anything in the sun thermocycles it about as extreme as one can cheaply produce. That change in temperature is not good for any wooden creation.
kbp810 Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Leaving anything in the sun thermocycles it about as extreme as one can cheaply produce. That change in temperature is not good for any wooden creation. Yep
tbonesullivan Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 yeah... sun also I believe accelerates nitro aging. Glass may block some UV, but in general sitting in the sun is bad for just about everything, except plants, and animals that have fur.
MartyGrass Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 I can't contradict these opinions. There are those who like the looks of a faded burst. Judging by tomatoes and popsickles, Lance may not be one of them. I, too, would like to protect the new appearance of my finishes. I keep my guitars in a room without sunlight for the most part. Regarding the health of the wood, I don't see how sunlight would affect a solid body. Heat changes probably could.
FredZepp Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 I believe that it would take a lot of sunlight to fade one of these finishs much. It is not like the old red dyes that dramatically faded on the Bursts. The 60's Bursts fade much less than the '58/'59's did. But yes, it will fade. Same answer on damaging a solidbody.. it would take a whole lot of sun to affect the instrument structurally. A Hollowbody would be more fragile and a semi to lesser degree. I'd be more careful with a new instrument, as it hasn't had the years for everything to settle. I've always found solidbody guitars are like a rock. And they like to rock. Dramatic temperature changes are tough on finishes and wood, though. Burst Warning Card...
drfie Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Burst Warning Card... The card is an expensive accoutrement???? dan
DetroitBlues Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Just to add, my '85 H-140 was a cherry burst and it didn't appear to fade at all. In fact, I wish it had or else I wouldn't be having it refinished without the red.
FredZepp Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 The card is an expensive accoutrement???? dan Ha.. yeah. Vintage collectability, rare and all that. Once you spend a fortune on the vintage axe, this is a collectible accessory to go along with it.
tbonesullivan Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Gibson changed the dye... in 1960 I believe. So.. no more fading. Case in point: http://davesguitar.com/gibson/les-paul-60-13176.asp 1960 Les Paul. They changed the dye they were using to something else. It really does make me laugh when everyone is all about the faded bursts and yada yada yada. The burst fading is a DEFECT, not something to celebrate, and has no impact on the sound of the guitar. And back in the 60s and 70's most were still pretty red... almost clown-burst at times. Now people seem to look down on the color, even though it is the correct color.
big bob Posted March 23, 2011 Author Posted March 23, 2011 My local guitar store has had the same three epi's in the window for at least 2 years. I know they get sun most of the day. Just wondering.
MartyGrass Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Since we're on the topic of fancy dyes, how come the black finish seems to outlast the white? What is the deal with the white finish? Does Heritage need to use a "fancy white" for durability?
big bob Posted March 23, 2011 Author Posted March 23, 2011 Since we're on the topic of fancy dyes, how come the black finish seems to outlast the white? What is the deal with the white finish? Does Heritage need to use a "fancy white" for durability? No,NO,NO my friend an aged white is way better looking than a new white.. I love a aged/yellowed white..
TalismanRich Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Since we're on the topic of fancy dyes, how come the black finish seems to outlast the white? What is the deal with the white finish? Does Heritage need to use a "fancy white" for durability? Both pigments should be colorfast (most likely carbon black and TiO2 white), but the nitro lacquer is notorious for yellowing. On a black, you just can't tell that its happening. You will see it on the binding eventually. You can slow the process with UV inhibitors but eventually ol' Mr Sun is going to get through. That's why car finishes moved away from nitro years ago.
Steiner Posted March 24, 2011 Posted March 24, 2011 Just to add, my '85 H-140 was a cherry burst and it didn't appear to fade at all. In fact, I wish it had or else I wouldn't be having it refinished without the red. DBlues - last picture I saw made the clownburst look almost like a natural finish
DetroitBlues Posted March 24, 2011 Posted March 24, 2011 My local guitar store has had the same three epi's in the window for at least 2 years. I know they get sun most of the day. Just wondering. Best way to see if they faded is to behind the pickguard or remove the pup rings to see a difference. I know on my accoustic, there is a slight fade of color from under the pickguard I removed. And that guitar was never left in the sun after owning it for 9 years!
DetroitBlues Posted March 24, 2011 Posted March 24, 2011 DBlues - last picture I saw made the clownburst look almost like a natural finish Yep, thats what happens when you have NASA experiment in space with your guitar to see if raw sunlight outside the Earth's atomosphere would affect the guitar...
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