Fading the finish on a Gretsch Country Gent?

the_jaffa

I’ve got a 2013 Gretsch Country Gent, the 6122-62, and I love it. But, the finish is pretty darkly stained and I’d really like it if it could look a bit more like the original ones with a lighter finish, more of the grain showing though and the painted f-holes more prominent.

More like this:



Is such a thing even remotely feasible without a full refinish? Is there any way I could get the finish to fade?

Any thoughts anyone?

skullfunkerry

Leaving it in the window on a sunny day?

the_jaffa

skullfunkerry said:

Leaving it in the window on a sunny day?

I had thought about utilising our current sunny weather but have no idea if that would be a bad idea or not. 

TheMarlin

Leave it with me. I’ll play it in my conservatory every day until autumn. That should get it a shade or two lighter. 

My rates are very reasonable...

ICBM

You'll need to do it outside to have any effect quickly - glass blocks ultraviolet light fairly well.

That said I doubt it's likely to do it anyway.

Danielsguitars

it all depends on the dye used, red fades the fastest with my stuff, if it's uv resistant I'm not sure if it'll do much, just try it and see what happens 

skullfunkerry

I was actually joking, based on the terrible fading that's been posted on here before where shops have left things in the windows...

Henrytwang

I know what you mean. I’ve got a 2004 model, (they were calling them the Country Classic back then for contractual reasons). The paint on mine is also quite dark making it hard to see the black painted on f holes.

the_jaffa

Hmm, not sounding like it’s likely to be effective which is what I think I expected to hear. 

Ah well, it’s not a bad looking thing at the moment

SNAKEBITE

I'm sure leaving it in the sunlight would work, although with the UK climate it could take years!

Worth a go, but watch out for the wood getting too dry, maybe oil the fretboard

dazzajl

If there’s a chance that sunlight might fade the finish, maybe book it a sun-bed session or two and see where it goes. My random, untested and totally non scientific thinking is that the wood will fare better with a short burst of heat than with being slowing baked over a prolonged period??? 

57Deluxe

the most fading light is actually a North light...

ICBM

57Deluxe said:

the most fading light is actually a North light...

If you're in the southern hemisphere.

JezWynd

When my Tele was left in the sun it darkened the finish (it was white originally, it turned a light mustard).

kreggs

Take it to a tanning salon, dont forget the oil 

Sassafras

Time will do the job nicely.

clarkefan

U/V bulb worth a try?

Calum13

I’ll take it off your hands and play it for a few dozen years. Then it’ll look like Squire’s