Bassic Colors No. 7 – Early Blues: Azureglo

[bassduke49]

Azureglo was the first "blue" to be applied to Rick basses, starting as early as 1968, and continuing until 1986 when it was "replaced" by Midnight Blue. Azureglo (AZ) varied surprisingly (pretty much all RIC shades have). It is not a metallic, and not a translucent, but a good solid blue, ranging from a slightly greenish mid blue to a deep navy blue. Don't believe me? Take a look at John Minutaglio's '79 4005. This shot was taken at the first SoCal Confluence. I believe John had asked John Hall if it could have been a refin, but JH thought it was original finish. Do not adjust your set; it really is dark:

This next example is a refin. This one belongs to Trotty, and as I recall, this was a basket case that was restored to look like an early '70s 4001 with checker binding, crushed pearl inlays - the works. Just gorgeous.

So let's post pictures and discuss Azureglo - RIC's "playmate" color!

[markbass99]

My June 1973 transition 4001, all original. This was around the time the button pole pieces replaced the screws in the the bridge pickup. Still had aluminum baseplate though.

[cjj]

I really should get better pics of this someday, but here's my '76 4001. One of these days I might even get it refinished to restore it to it factory new appearance...

[gearhed289]

One of my ALL time favorites! Never owned one, but would like to. Maybe I should get a good old 70s 4001 some day?

[ilan]

IMHO - best Ric color, EVER.

[loendmaestro]

Oh I love, love, love Azureglo. My fave Ric color too. I got outbid on eBay a few years ago on a sweet '75. (Sigh).....someday.

[8mileshigher]

IMHO - best Ric color, EVER.

Oh I love, love, love Azureglo. My fave Ric color too.
(Sigh).....someday.

I am also a fan of Azureglo color, offset with binding.... it is very interesting to see the different shades of the color presented here. Those are some great pictures posted of these stunning Basses

[jingle_jangle]

I've run across two different formulas for AZ, and the rest of the variations seem to be just that--variations due to aging, fading, and atmospheric conditions.

AZ light-fades in an odd way. It doesn't get lighter, as most would think when the word "fading" is voiced. Rather, upon exposure to UV, the yellow pigment fades, leaving the AZ bluer and somewhat darker.

Recently I tried to do a partial refin on a bass that had spent a good deal of its life facing a window on a stand. Upon close examination, the front was bluer and darker than sides or back. Bottom line was that a total refin was called for, because matching either the front or back would yield a strange mismatch from most viewing angles.

AZ was supposedly a '64 VW color, taken from a car parked across the street from the old plant. The formula is still available, and the code is L360, Sea Blue.

The most commonly-seen shade, though, is the faded shade, which is less green and darker--almost a Cobalt in some cases.

I believe that the really dark ones (such as Minutaglio's) are a different formula, although I did receive a '67 366/12 from Paraguay that was nearly black, but which, when the varnish was sanded in spots, began to look more like the original formula, though faded to Cobalt.

[s4001]

Markbass' pic is what a usually think of when speaking of AZ. I used to really jones for a AZ Ric, but over the years I've gravitated away from it.

[jingle_jangle]

The same bass photographs as two very different blues, depending on whether it's in bright light or shade.

Then there's the typical color monitor variations...

[octagon]

Gaye Advert had an Azureglo 4001