Historic Gold Tops - Color Variations

[romanos27]

I know this topic has shown up here, and on other guitar forums, in the past, but I wanted to revisit the issue of gold top color variance. I'm aware of the difference between the current Gibson USA models and the Custom Shop reissues, and I know there have also been some changes to the color over the years. But I'm a little confused right now based on what I'm seeing in my local shop. I'm getting ready to (possibly) pull the trigger on an R6, and they have 3 of them in stock. However, two of the three are one color and the third is totally different. I've narrowed my choice down to two of them, and I've attached a photo of the two side by side. In case you're wondering, these are both from the same year (2022). While I know it's hard to capture these perfectly, this is a pretty good representation of how they looked in person. To my eyes, I feel like the one on the left looks more "vintage", but I could be wrong (in case you're wondering, the third one was also this exact same color). To be honest, I think I kind of like the one on the right a little better, even though I feel like it's less "historically accurate" (whatever that means). Anyway, it seems really weird to me that there would be this much difference between two of the same model from the same year. Has anyone else seen this in the wild? Just curious.

So, please jump in and share your thoughts and opinions. And let me know which one you like better - might as well muddy the waters even further!

Thanks!

 

[jb_abides]

A 2002 R6 should all be spec'd as 'Double Gold' unless there was a special dealer color. Did they specify an 'amber over' final finish on the left?

This could be down to lighting and photography although you stated you've seen them in person and the darker one is darker in person.

How close are they in production run i.e. how close are the serial numbers?

Remember, even though 'recipe' for the 'Double Gold' finish is same formulation, it includes the metallic bronzer; thus, many factors might create the variations including environmental conditions in the factory, how well the mixture was mixed/agitated, the person in the spray booth, and the underlying wood, etc. Even variation in the fingerboard darkness may impact how your eyes perceive the gold.

Hmm... I suppose the one on the left looks more 'NOS' while the right appears more vintage 'Aged' [or the aforementioned 'amber over'].

If you have seen them in person -- how do they play and sound? Go for the best sounding and feeling one.

All things being equal I prefer the right; although I think the exposures aren't exactly at parity.

Good luck -- let us know where things stand.

 

[goldtop0]

The left one I call sandy gold and the one on the right honey gold, I like honey gold and my '13 R6 is that colour which to me is the original early to mid '50s gold, the deeper gold finish.
You have 3 to choose from, that's great, go for the one that sounds and plays the best for you, weight, neck profile etc., they're great geetars, love P90s !!
Post pics after you get her home.

 

[Happy Tree]

What does the "double" mean in double gold? Is it like how much more gold can it be and the answer is none. None more gold?

 

[romanos27]

A 2002 R6 should all be spec'd as 'Double Gold' unless there was a special dealer color. Did they specify an 'amber over' final finish on the left?

This could be down to lighting and photography although you stated you've seen them in person and the darker one is darker in person.

How close are they in production run i.e. how close are the serial numbers?

Remember, even though 'recipe' for the 'Double Gold' finish is same formulation, it includes the metallic bronzer; thus, many factors might create the variations including environmental conditions in the factory, how well the mixture was mixed/agitated, the person in the spray booth, and the underlying wood, etc. Even variation in the fingerboard darkness may impact how your eyes perceive the gold.

Hmm... I suppose the one on the left looks more 'NOS' while the right appears more vintage 'Aged' [or the aforementioned 'amber over'].

If you have seen them in person -- how do they play and sound? Go for the best sounding and feeling one.

All things being equal I prefer the right; although I think the exposures aren't exactly at parity.

Good luck -- let us know where things stand.

Both show as "Double Gold" and there's no mention of an "amber over". So, I dunno. As for how close they were in production run, they are number 216 and 324. The one on the left is the earlier one, and it "matches" the other one in the shop, which was from 2021 (for what it's worth). I played all three and these two both played very similar and sounded very similar. - and they both felt and sounded better than the other one. They're also almost the same weight (the one on the right is 2 ounces lighter). I am leaning towards the one on the right, which also has a darker fretboard - which i prefer. But I've been second guessing myself, thinking "if 2 out of 3 look the same, the one I like might be an oddball". Anyway, I appreciate your input!

 

[romanos27]

The left one I call sandy gold and the one on the right honey gold, I like honey gold and my '13 R6 is that colour which to me is the original early to mid '50s gold, the deeper gold finish.
You have 3 to choose from, that's great, go for the one that sounds and plays the best for you, weight, neck profile etc., they're great geetars, love P90s !!
Post pics after you get her home.

Thanks for your post. I feel pretty lucky that they have 3 to choose from, as that is often not the case. These two were so similar, other than the actual color, that it's probably going to come down to just that: "which gold?". And I'll put you in the "honey gold" column!

 

[jb_abides]

I am leaning towards the one on the right, which also has a darker fretboard - which i prefer. But I've been second guessing myself, thinking "if 2 out of 3 look the same, the one I like might be an oddball". Anyway, I appreciate your input!

My 2 cents, don't overthink it, grab the one on the right. I agree the darker fretboard is great and if you prefer the darker one, grab it.

 

[thin sissy]

Historic goldtops over the years is an interesting topic, due to different specs but also differences within the same specs (as in your example).

Luckily they all look cool in their own way, and one could probably find an original to match every variation of the historics through the years.

I would say, based on this pic, that my original 55 looks more like the one on the left. But who can say really? I read your posts as if you really want the right one, and that is what you should choose IMHO of course

 

[DANELECTRO]

I had a 2006 Chambered R7 which had a very light gold color, which I believe was due to a clear lacquer being applied over it rather than an amber-colored lacquer. The overall color was much lighter than that of my 2003 R7. Comparing the binding of the two guitars it is apparent that the lacquer on the 2003 was tinted with amber compared to the 2006 which is water-clear. The Custom Shop achieved a nice-looking 1950's gold color on the 2003 (which has a BRW board by the way), but I don't think they were paying attention when they sprayed the 2006

2006 (bottom), 2003 (top):


2006 (left), 2003 (right):


For some reason, the room lighting really highlighted the differences in color in this photo:

L>R 1952, 2006, 2003, 1969:


Even the natural back is different between the 2006 and the 2003, which I presume is due to a lack of amber in the clear coat:

 

[romanos27]

I had a 2006 Chambered R7 which had a very light gold color, which I believe was due to a clear lacquer being applied over it rather than an amber-colored lacquer. The overall color was much lighter than that of my 2003 R7. Comparing the binding of the two guitars it is apparent that the lacquer on the 2003 was tinted with amber compared to the 2006 which is water-clear. The Custom Shop achieved a nice-looking 1950's gold color on the 2003 (which has a BRW board by the way), but I don't think they were paying attention when they sprayed the 2006

2006 (bottom), 2003 (top):
View attachment 26660

2006 (left), 2003 (right):
View attachment 26661

For some reason, the room lighting really highlighted the differences in color in this photo:

L>R 1952, 2006, 2003, 1969:
View attachment 26664

Even the natural back is different between the 2006 and the 2003, which I presume is due to a lack of amber in the clear coat:
View attachment 26663

Thanks for sharing these awesome pics! Your collection is very impressive. And it's cool to see the different shades from your four examples. In case anyone is wondering, I ended up going with the one on the left yesterday - and am already second guessing my choice. I need therapy more than I need another guitar. Anyway, already thinking about heading back for a final look and possible swap. I'll send pics of whichever one I end up with. Thanks again for your input on this.

 

[romanos27]

Well, I made my decision and went back and got the one on the right. You all seemed to know that was the one I should go with, so I’m glad I finally got there. Here are a few pics, though gold tops sure are hard to photograph. The last one shows the new R6 with my R8 and R9. Pretty happy with the trio!

Thanks again to all of you who weighed in.

 

[jb_abides]

Excellent. Glad we were here to advise... and enable!

Congrats and enjoy.

 

[mikeslub]

Vintage goldtops also had color variation, some due to aging. Here are 1952, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 57 vintage goldtops:

 

[Xpensive Wino]

Vintage goldtops also had color variation, some due to aging. Here are 1952, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 57 vintage goldtops:

View attachment 26696

​

 

[romanos27]

Vintage goldtops also had color variation, some due to aging. Here are 1952, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 57 vintage goldtops:

View attachment 26696

Wow, that's an amazing lineup. Thanks for sharing! It's interesting to see the variations, and it makes me wonder how much of the differences are from aging as opposed to being different from the start. Regardless, they all look great!