Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

How many years does it take for a FireGlo to turn amber ?

My 1989 370/12RM Fireglo has ambered nicely, both finish and binding. In contrast, my 1993 370/12v64 Fireglo has only a bit of ambering. It probably depends on how much time the instrument has spent out of its case, and what it has been exposed to when it has been out (sunlight, smoke ...).

It happens so gradually, it will be hard to notice. Only after many years of small amounts of change will you be able to say definitely it has ambered. If you have a newer instrument (within the last couple of years), it may not amber. Th enewer CV clearcoat supposedly does not amber.

So will the new AFG basses yellow over time also and what will they look like in 20 years?

Ahh - That's the big question. No one really knows what the AFG instruments will look like after they amber (if they do).

The binding on my 1992 Fireglo 4003 has changed colour and the inlays seem darker as well,so would the finish on my bass now be more Ambered.

From what I understand, the new clearcoat ambers very slightly when cured, then shouldn't amber much after that.
The rate at which an older finish will amber varies with the elements (light, smoke, etc.) it's been exposed to. An instrument that has been in it's case most or all of the time in a smoke free home or studio will usually not amber much.

Shawn, if you notice that the binding has taken on an amber hue (no longer white), then the guitar or bass will have ambered that much all over.

I recently saw one of the first Fender Pbasses ever made in a vintage shop, number 3 or something. It was so "ambered" that the entire thing was almost coffee brown. It was difficult even to make out the headstock decal. I wonder if the owner died of cancer playing that thing in roadhouses over the years!

Yeah, there's amber, and then there's dirt.

I recall reading about someone taking their bass to a tanning salon to accelerate the ambering process.

I have a 92 4003FL FG that looks almost like an AFG it's so amber. I have a 93 330/12 FG that looks like it's brand new, so yeah, I think environment is a huge factor.

I hate to say it but I am afraid the pre-UV AFG's may look like garbage in 10-20 years. Hopefully I'm wrong.

jdogric12aolcom wrote:I hate to say it but I am afraid the pre-UV AFG's may look like garbage in 10-20 years. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I've been wondering the same thing for some time now. They may end up too dark.

They'll probably look like the newer AFGs!

I guess my 2005 4004CiiFG is not going to amber Still a pretty thing though Hey! I forgot ! That Pedulla to the right is an Amber/flame........I can stop being jealous of my wifes new RIC1996.

Folks, keep in mind the stuff sprayed on Rickenbackers ten years ago (heck, a couple months ago!) has changed dramatically. We don't know what kind of "amber effect" will occur on instruments sprayed in 2006 for years. And THAT also depends on UV exposore...

What I do know is that the UV coatings we now use tend to amber the wood. Not too much, but definitely noticeably. That means that the MGs we are putting out look like they've been ambered a little. You can't really notice too much on standard FGs however.

I will say this, the UV material REALLY brings out the flame on guitars. It's incredible how it adds a whole new dimension of "flip" to a 660 (which we happen to be making right now).