Fading a top

[grumpyoldman]

I know, I know....the majority of forumites really seem to salivate at the sight of a purple EVH without any fading, but I tend to like the way the fade seems to bring out more visual qualities of the top. And, I know that the crew at EB had worked hard to fix the formula so that the purple finish did not fade like it did in the past. And, I know that this question is going to make those same crew members shake their heads in disbelief, but....

I want to know the easiest and quickest way to get the top on my Purple Axis to fade. It's a 2000 model, with what I assume is the new, improved, fade-proof finish, but I would really like to get the figure of the wood to be more prominent, and the only way to do this is to hope it fades. Have any of you had any experience with attempting to get your Axis tops to fade, particularly purple ones? Any recommendations? Should I leave it in a sunny spot for hours on end, or should I purchase an ultra violet light and let it "tan" endlessly in a controlled environment? Any suggestions? Anybody?

(let the bashing begin.....)

 

[Larry]

I have no experience with this but its your guitar and you like it. Thats all that matters.

 

[brentrocks]

i would say that if you were to set it out in the direct sunlight, that would do the trick...maybe not?

then your neck might lok like a pretzel, i would use caution!

 

[Larry]

I don't think direct sunlight would do it. Reason being is the EB engineered that dye not to fade when exposed to UV rays. I think if it can be done someone from EB would need to chime in and give us their opinion/advice.

 

[candid_x]

I understand your interest, but wouldn't you be better off selling yours and buying an older faded one? You could probably make $300 or so on the swap, and have your faded one to boot.

But if you're attached to this one, I could understand that, too. Maybe you'll just have to put a decade or two into playing it. If it doesn't fade by then, you'll probably have forgotten about it anyway. (just teasin' ya)

 

[Larry]

I understand your interest, but wouldn't you be better off selling yours and buying an older faded one? You could probably make $300 or so on the swap, and have your faded one to boot. )

He is trying to fade a Axis which has the fade resistant dye. An EVH would go for more than what he would get for the Axis. So his best bet would be to attempt to fade this one.

 

[Astrofreq]

this thread just breaks my heart . ..

 

[brentrocks]

I realize that the faded look on the purples is an aquired taste, but to take a perfectly good purple axis and put it through all that, i also think you may want search out a faded EVH.

If your axis is in good shape you should be able to retrieve a good portion of the cash needed to get the faded EVH...problem solved, no expensive tanning bills, no warped necks...

 

[brentrocks]

this thread just breaks my heart . ..

your green EVH is just bitchin'!!!

 

[beej]

Interesting question ... I have no idea if you can fade it! Maybe send Big Poppa a fat cheque and ask for the "relic" package

Really, I'd bet enough UV will fade it. But sunlight would take a lot of time, so if you could find an environment with a lot of UV it would make for an interesting experiment.

But it'd almost be worth your while to look for a faded EVH. More money to be sure, but the faded tops are really cool on those.

 

[Astrofreq]

Thanks, Brent. I like my Green EVH too.

 

[lenny]

Like a tanning Bed! Same uv-a and uv-b as the sun watch out for the heat but if you set the guitar in front of the bed the heat wouldnt be direct

 

[Sigmunds Couch]

I'm fairly certain that the shop perfected the UV inhibitors in the finish of the Axis but try and hang it in a room with indirect sunlight. I used to keep my EVH cased all the time unless I played it. Then I got a wall hanger to put it on the wall in my bedroom so I could grab it when ever I wanted. Mine gradually faded over time. I would rather have back the original hue of the purple but I must admit that because it faded so gently over the years, it turned out pretty cool. I've returned to keeping it cased unless I'm playing it to slow it down from fading anymore.

 

[Bierschinken]

I´d try a polish for cars or something similar. It should kinda "rub" the top layer of the color away after polishing a while. After that you should polish with stuff like guitar polish to make top become smooth and even.

That should do I think. We tried it on a Squier Strat, really not looking bad.

 

[candid_x]

He is trying to fade a Axis which has the fade resistant dye. An EVH would go for more than what he would get for the Axis. So his best bet would be to attempt to fade this one.

Ooh, didn't realize the EVH's were the ones that faded. ty

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Why not have the top re-finished? You could make it look like anything you wanted then.

 

[grumpyoldman]

Hey, I'd like to thank everyone that chipped in with ideas or advice, or even just their opinions - all posts were greatly appreciated.

I think I will start by trying Sigmunds Couch's idea of leaving it out in a room with indirect sunlight; I have such a spot right here in my home, and will start that experiment later today. If anything happens, I will return to bore you with the results. Check back again in a few months......

Once again, thanks very much to all!

 

[beej]

Good luck man- if that doesn't work out, head to the beach with a few smoothies and let 'er enjoy the sun for a few days

(Well obviously not here ... somewhere it's actually warm ...)