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Whiten my Classic's inlays..!

A

Argoth

New member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
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4
Hello fellow Les Paul owners !

First, just so you know I'm french, so mistakes are..well normals I guess ?

I've got this Classic Premium Plus Les Paul from 94, and obviously the inlays seem a bit green.

I know it's not that noticeable, but with all the threads around about this matter, I'm beginning to be a little paranoiac about it..!

So here's a picture where we can't really see the greenish tone



But as soon as a few lights hit the wood, it really pops out (IMO)



Example here on a live

So my question was, will I be able to dye it with an halogen lamp ? I know the sun's UVs work better, but we're on winter and sun doesn't really like showing his face right now...

I know it make take a bit longer (maybe a whole week at close range like 1 meter ?) But it will still work right ?


Anyway, thanks for your consideration and your answers ! :)
 
Big Al

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,543
That's the way they are. I know of no easy way to lighten them, and I'm not sure UV exposer will do it. It may darken them!! Wish I had an answer.
 
toxpert

toxpert

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Jul 2, 2005
Messages
3,068
You can always replace the inlays and the greenish glue that was used.

Replacing the inlays is a relatively simple task that many forum members have posted 'how to' threads.
 
JJC

JJC

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Feb 25, 2008
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Welcome to the forum, Argoth. No need to apologize for your English, it's very good. A joke told to me by a German friend:
What do you call a person who can speak two languages? Bi-lingual.
What do you call a person who can speak three languages? Tri-lingual.
What do you call a person who can speak one language? American. :)

I believe others here have found that UV turns the inlays more of a darker gray color, but replacement would probably be the easier method.
 
J T

J T

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Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Messages
10,505
The bottom of the inlay cut out on the Classic fretboard has yellow glue. The inlays are a bit translucent so that yellow beneath contributes to the yellow/green hue of the inlay. You would have to remove the inlay and clean out the cavity to change the color.
 
A

Argoth

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Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
4
Thanks everyone for your replies !

I really don't mind a dark grey tone if I can get rid of those yellow-green inlays...
I hope the UV light of an halogen will do the trick

However, I will look around for those threads on how to swap the said inlays, but still, I'd rather have it done by a professional (will it be expensive ?)

I've already found a few perloid inlays for Les pauls, but I have been told the Classic's cavities are of a different shape, so I might need to re-cut them. That's a problem here as I don't have any tool for that ! (but still if a guitar shop can do this, it's no problem, only the price matters...!)
 
A

Argoth

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Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
4
Well, as I realized you guys quite like it the way she was, I decided not to swap the inlays.

However, I think the halogen light managed to lighten them up a bit
Judge for yourself (first pic without effect, second with a few contrast added)



 
trapland

trapland

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Jun 5, 2008
Messages
322
Ive seen some rediculous yellow green inlays on some classics. Ive also seen
some that just had a subtle aged look and looked great. Yours looks great.
 
DMartini

DMartini

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Sep 17, 2014
Messages
593
very nice guitar :salude
is the reason the inlays are that colour to differentiate them from a 1960 RI?
 
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