Goldtop color tint on Historics - More green in 2013 - now more gold?

martie6621 · Apr 21, 2018

I remember in 2013 (i think) that Gibson added a greener tint to the Historic Goldtops. I recall that at the time it was well received. Apparently it was thought that over the years, the goldie color had become a bit lighter in tint and that adding the green/gold tint it was more accurate (or appealing).

Fast forward to the 2018 Goldtops from Gibson Custom and the ones I have seen have been softened to the tint back to what it was before 2013. Just wondering if this has been covered (or noticed) by anyone here. Is the 2018 "gold" the historically correct one?

renderit · Apr 22, 2018

I don't know but it is interesting how much it changed during the period you mentioned.

Here is a 2014 next to a 2015 HS (TH)

2014 next to my 2015 TH6

So by 2014 they were much darker bronzy but then for 15 they went way more.

marshall1987 · Apr 25, 2018

As of 2013 or so, Gibson no longer sprays the Les Paul gold top reissue R6 and R7 with lacquer containing dissolved bronze powder. The bronze powder was subject to oxidation which caused the undesirable green tone to areas where the clear coat and paint is worn through.

The gold paint Gibson now uses contains gold mica chips instead. I think this is the main difference with the appearance of the gold finish owners are talking about.

tripletime · Apr 25, 2018

I have a very early 2014 and it has the bronze - not mica

the greener tone bronze looks much better

P.Walker · Apr 25, 2018

renderit said:
I don't know but it is interesting how much it changed during the period you mentioned.

Here is a 2014 next to a 2015 HS (TH)

2014 next to my 2015 TH6

So by 2014 they were much darker bronzy but then for 15 they went way more.

I love all your guitars but that marble tabletop is an art form in itself :spabout

renderit · Apr 25, 2018

Granite. And I agree with Tripletime. I prefer the bronzer colors. Though I have to say, they are not the same as in my memory. As a young man in high school they were on the walls of every guitar shop I walked into. The 2014 is more like my memory.

AA00475Bassman · Apr 25, 2018

Really like the bronze in the paint , Ive only have owned two Gold tops both with bronze , this first one was starting to green love the green . I would have to pass on mica !

goldtop0 · Apr 25, 2018

Yep in 2013 the fun started with the gold finish.........I had a green/gold '13 R7 and still have an amber or honey/gold '13 R6 and as you say there were some bronze/gold ones also that I've seen but maybe from '15 onwards........
Funnily enough these were all noted as AG(Antique Gold) on the paperwork(tag) that comes with the LP........so no differentiation from Gibson CS that I know of.

Goldtop color tint on Historics - More green in 2013 - now more gold?

martie6621

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renderit

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marshall1987

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tripletime

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P.Walker

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renderit

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AA00475Bassman

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