Bassic Colors No. 3 – Let me stand next to your Fire(glo)!

[bassduke49]

Third in our parade of colors makes complete the trio of evergreen colors for RIC: Fireglo. It's been around forever, and while it has morphed over the years, Fireglo is still classic. Often described by those unfamiliar with Rickenbacker instruments as "Sunburst," or "Fireburst," or even "red," Fireglo (no w at the end, by the way) is one of the most popular colors among Ricks overall, and probably the second most produced finish on basses (following Jetglo).

Fireglo on older instruments ages with a noticeable amber tint - it's actually the clear coat over the pigment that yellows. In 2006, RIC developed "Amber Fireglo" as the Color of the Year, but we'll concentrate on that variation at another time. So let's see your photos and read your comments on good ol' Fireglo! Here are a couple of mine to start, a '97 4004L Laredo (with VVT mod, exchanged TRC, and strung BEAD), and my '97 4001V63.

[jps]

My V63.

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks for the attribution, Jeff...

Paul, the ambering is not entirely the varnish on older FG finishes (or any transparent Rick finish, for that matter). Upon stripping the varnish from any older ambered MG Rick and pulling the guards and pickups, you will see that the maple has itself ambered through the action of UV light.

[johnallg]

Nice V's guys! Maybe I should have mine made into FG???? Whadda ya think, Kevin?!

[jc-sz]

What has always struck me about FG is how the maple at the center changes color in pictures depending on light. I know many colors change a bit, but I haven't seen a MG look amber just because of the ambient light... i don't mean just the flash.

Here are two of my 2003, I don't remember if I used flash on one of them, but it very well may be:





Anyway, at the very first I didn't like the color, but when I was going to buy my first Rick, saw this one's pics on the bay and started diggin it... in the end, I just had to buy it

Cheers!

[jc-sz]

ps. Will my FG EVER look like that??? I mean, when it ages... those v's are stunning!! I really dig the dark red on the edges!

[cassius987]

It will probably "amber" some but the red pigment itself won't change much. CV above it and maple below may amber, changing the tone (probably darkening it just a hair). I really like the ambering process... apparently the new UV finish is a bit ambered from the start, such as my MG is. It looks more yellow than many MGs I've seen.

Back to FG...

[johnallg]

ps. Will my FG EVER look like that??? I mean, when it ages... those v's are stunning!! I really dig the dark red on the edges!

Buy it time in a tanning booth - lay it in there naked!

[jc-sz]

lol! I think I'll rather see it red+maple!!

Somehow I like it better live that how it looks in pics... somehow it doesn't look right... dunno.

[chrisdski]

My 1974 4001

[teeder]

Nice V's guys! Maybe I should have mine made into FG???? Whadda ya think, Kevin?!

Don't make me come up there!

Here's my '71.





And my '92 V63. Not the best picture though.


This thread should get Jim Glen out of hiding!

[ram]

Here is my '00 4003s5

[qwezirider]

I wish to have held on to this one, but the side dots were between where frets would be and not on the fret position. I just couldn't mentally grasp that. Probably the most beautiful Rick I've owned.

[teeder]

Wow!
I think I would have had a new piece of binding put on the side with the dots in the appropiate spot!
(or better yet, frets installed! )

[qwezirider]

Yeah, that would've been the best solution (new binding), but finances did not allow for that option then and keeping it until that day came would've meant collecting dust. Someday, there'll be another pop up that fits the bill.