The sad tale of the Blue Boys.

[sloop_john_b]

While taking my "family" photo, I snapped this shot of my Blue Boys:



On the left is my '04 660/12, on the right my '05 4004L.

The difference is pretty vast between the two - the guitar has stayed true blue, while the bass has become a "green boy". Interestingly, though, my 660/12 has been played a whole lot, and has never spent any time tucked away in a case, away from light.

It seems like the Blue Boy instruments that shipped in '05 were already green by the time they left the factory, while the '04 ones, in my experience, have been the beautiful shade of blue - and most seem to have stayed that way. Perhaps the formula changed?

Here's a pic of a February '04 370/12BB I had for two years - it's color NEVER swayed and was played a lot/left out as well. Pics were taken in late '05, right before I sold it:




I'd like to hear from other Blue Boy owners with the year of their guitar/bass and if it's stayed blue or not.

[jingle_jangle]

I have four BBs of various models and years, in my possession right now. Only one belongs to me--the rest are in for repairs or mods.

None are '05s. My 325 is the oldest, being a '99. They all remain blue.

I seem to recall a different varnish having been used for a brief period (a month or possibly three) back in the Summer or Fall of '05. This was discussed briefly in an old thread. It's the culprit, I think.

I recall being at the factory in late Fall, 2005, and seeing two different shades of BB in racks waiting for assembly.

[blueflamerick]

My green boy 4003 is from 05. Actually, there is still a small spot on the upper horn where it remains a blue boy.

[elysrand]

Does this mean that the formulation of clear coat itself "yellowed", thus producing a greening-effect over the blue color coat? Thus, Eric's one still-blue spot is an anomalous area of missing or extremely-thin clear-coat spray coverage?

[rickfan60]

Elys: Yes, that is what happens. The color under the varnish does not really change much.

JH has alluded to the tough and getting tougher California environmental laws more than a few times here. RIC probably has to reformulate regularly to comply. From what I have read from JH and Paul W., Material consistency is key when doing finishes. When you are striving for a consistently high level of perfection, it is really hard to hit a moving target.

[krick]

Paul, I would be very surprised if your Blue Boy 325/12 was finished in 1999. The three C58 "test body" guitars I have seen have 2004 serial numbers. I believe the bodies were originally cut in 1999 but I think all ten of these guitars were finished and completed at the same time in 2004.

[jingle_jangle]

Elys and Ted, the point I was trying to make was that the fomulation of this one batch of CV had a yellowish tinge right out of the can/spray gun. Chances are that this would not be obvious, especially in the lighting of the spray booths, until the instruments were placed alongside a non-yellowed example.

But, yes, over time, Blue Boy might yellow. Although my eight-year-old 325 certainly hasn't.

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks for that bit, Kevin! That makes the paint on mine only 2-2 1/2 years old. But, interestingly, it does have a '99 serial number.

I do have a 2000 Comstock acoustic which is in for some work (the Japanese show guitar), which has not changed in color, either, though. It's a dead-nuts match to the '99/'04 325.

[bottom4]

amberblue?

[dustymurphy]

I love love love the gold plastics on the 660/12 Blue Boy. I really wanted a Blue Boy or a Turquoise when I ordered my Amber FireGlo. I couldn't find ANYBODY that wanted to part with either one though. After I get my loan paid off, I'm going to start trying to save for one. Anybody know a good place to watch for them besides eBay? I don't feel good about buying a used guitar there.

[studiotwosession]

Those a great looking, John. I have a guitar that's a similar color and it's hard to capture with accuracy in pictures.

[jps]

Hey Dusty, you could always have Paul refinish your AFG in BB!

[jwilli]

Yep, the BBs that look green have a clearcoat that has a bit of yellow. That makes the Blue look Green. I like it.

[markbass99]

Well John, I too have an 05 green boy 4004 and you can't help but feel that there is a deficiency in the otherwise flawless finishes that RIC puts out, especially for people(like me) who don't like green. Fortunately I was looking for a bass I could get refinned in white so this was perfect. You can't help but wonder what these are going to be worth in the future though, mistakes in a production run are rare and can end up being worth something extra down the road.

[rickenbrother]

John, I don't think it's a sad tale! I think the 4003 Blue Boy tuning into Mint Boy looks cool...and I'm not a big fan of green guitars. The only other green guitars I really like is the trans green on the 4004 Cheyennes.