So I've had the 2006 Color Of The Year since 1987 when I bought this 1974 4001?
As cool as I'm sure this color is to many, I'm actually relieved that this years COY isn't a "must have" for me! (As are my wife & my wallet...)
Now that all of the COY hoopla is out of the way, what I'm waiting to hear about is the replacement bass bridges that are supposed to be coming! Then I can put one on my 2003 COY (Montezuma Brown)4003....
It DOES look nice. I like the regular FG as well. Tough choice! When I can manage to get myself a 12 string it'll probably be AFG, I guess.
Replacement (or upgraded) tailpiece is indeed the next big thing
I'm DEFINITELY getting 3 of those!
I'm sure a lot of folks are happy about this COY (per se), but I'm not sure if it's enough to make me pull the trigger on a new purchase, (unless the C64 is offered in AFG). Of course whatever else JH has up his sleeve may change my mind.
Isn't it weird how fireglo is the 'signature' color but it's also the least consistent? I don't really like the modern fireglo that much - it seems to be much 'cooler' in tone and higher in contrast than I prefer - but Amber Fireglo looks like it will make me very happy.
As was the case with BBR, I'm reserving my judgement until some better shots start to pop up. I find it very hard to make an instant decision on the like/dislike of the finish based on what's available to date.
I hate to say it but at this stage I'm somewhat 'underwhelmed'. However, it may well grow on me - as BBR did!
So many years have past but I still remember the feeling when I used to put my 1961 FG 375 to bed in her plush royal blue surroundings. The Fireglo finish reminded me of a highly polished, previously undiscovered variety of apple next to brilliant warm fire. Now that is what I expect this colour to look when I see it up close. It was then and no doubt still will be, a breath taking experience to behold one of these beauties in the flesh.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
Jeff - Your 1968 looks a lot like my '92 12 string v64. I just updated my profile here to include my Webshots URL (not exactly a "homepage" but it's all I've got). Anyway, there are some pics of my Ric in the September 2005 set that starts with the Pete's Tavern marquee.
Some of those pics are fairly accurate as the actual color goes. Two or three disclaimers though: 1.) That jam was the first time we used our new camera and it's got WAY too many bells & whistles adjustments to it (it's NOT "point & shoot") - hence some "arty" blurring at times; 2.) I still say Fireglo is about the hardest finish to photograph accurately - especially with digital cameras; 3.) I actually like the blurs and b&w and sepia pics - gives kind of a "Cavern-like" feel to them in some cases.
So check them out. I think one of the last ones where I'm almost leaning up against the wall is fairly accurate on the FG color of my Ric. Especially compare it to the other guy's newer FG 330/12. His is pink and mine isn't.
And Aitch - Fully understood on your 'underwhelmed' feelings so far. To me, there are just some colors that "define" certain Ric models, and some colors I don't care for on *any* Rics at all (BB, SG, and BBR). I could like BBR in some cases, but the pics I've seen don't show much "burst" at all. But I might really like it IF there's ever a chance I could see it in person. It all just depends, you know?
I sorta agree with Aitch. Need to see more. I think the 'aged amber' look is a nice color of the year but it doesn't 'bowl' me over. My 360 V and 660TP look very similar to the AFG, at least from what I've seen thus far.
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Music is too important to be left to professionals.
I'm happy about the pick for color of the year. I like it...but how much I like it depends on how the color is sprayed. I don't like way the more recent fireglo finishes have been sprayed with the thin dark edge that quickly changes to the much lighter color towards the middle like the 4003 on the left side of Jeff Rath's picture above. However the one on the right of Jeff's picture has a nice blend into the middle. That's a stunning finish.