Multiple Fender Telecaster / Stratocaster necksAfter the success of the last Fender neck, I decided to test several different types, both to show consistency in aging, and to show there will not be damage to the logos themselves. All and all, I'm very happy with how they came out.
The big difference between this and using a tinted finish? Personally, I think tinted finishes are ugly and orange. This looks 100% more realistic because, well, it uses the same process that naturally ages the necks, only we do it faster. Using UV for aging wood is definitely more work than orange "vintage" tint, but it is worth it, as the necks look 100% realistic and not faked.
First, we mask off a small part of the butt end so we can gauge the actual amount of darkening we are getting. This part isn't shown when installed.
A look down the necks while they are being aged.
Another look while they are being aged. See that green color? We put just a little green in our aging lamps to make them easier and safer to work with. Pure UV is invisible, this lets you see where the UV is hitting.
Now we are done. Very dark, very aged and much more appealing to the eye
Even where we tape off, it still ages a little, but this give you a decent idea of the before and after.
More views.
Close up view.
At the end of the day, tinting will always look fake, and using UV to naturally age a guitar neck will always look completely authentic. You just put some SG-1 bulbs on them, flip them once a day, and after 3 days on each side, you have a neck that still looks like it is in new condition, but looks like it is 30 or 40 years old. True closet classic.
The big difference between this and using a tinted finish? Personally, I think tinted finishes are ugly and orange. This looks 100% more realistic because, well, it uses the same process that naturally ages the necks, only we do it faster. Using UV for aging wood is definitely more work than orange "vintage" tint, but it is worth it, as the necks look 100% realistic and not faked.
First, we mask off a small part of the butt end so we can gauge the actual amount of darkening we are getting. This part isn't shown when installed.
A look down the necks while they are being aged.
Another look while they are being aged. See that green color? We put just a little green in our aging lamps to make them easier and safer to work with. Pure UV is invisible, this lets you see where the UV is hitting.
Now we are done. Very dark, very aged and much more appealing to the eye
Even where we tape off, it still ages a little, but this give you a decent idea of the before and after.
More views.
Close up view.
At the end of the day, tinting will always look fake, and using UV to naturally age a guitar neck will always look completely authentic. You just put some SG-1 bulbs on them, flip them once a day, and after 3 days on each side, you have a neck that still looks like it is in new condition, but looks like it is 30 or 40 years old. True closet classic.
| Solacure Means Quality Solacure ultraviolet lamps aren't just good, we guarantee they are the best or we will give you your money back. Our patented glass is more transparent to UVA and UVB. Our custom cathode/anode sets lets you run 2 to 3 times more power than a standard lamp in the same size. All of our lamps have built in reflectors. We have a lamp for every need. We stand behind everything we sell and guarantee each will perform exactly to specification, or we will replace them. We don't want your business this week, we want it every week, and we are willing to earn it. There really is a difference in quality when it comes to ultraviolet bulbs, and Solacure tops the list. Order online, over the phone, or call us if you need a custom UV lamp made, with fairly low minimums (around 2000 pieces). We can make it happen. Buy with confidence: We like what we do, and we've been doing it for over 30 years. |
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