[Hitonedaddyo]

Does any one else have this happening? I'm getting a strange discoloration on the silver sparkle binding on my Silver Falcon...

[starwhitehair]

I have a 2005 Black Phoenix and nothing odd so far! I've had old Gretsch guitars and the only concern with the great new instruments would be how the binding had improved from the Gretsch-rot vintage guitars. I hope you have a good ending to this problem daddyo.

[Hitonedaddyo]

Thank u! Yea I have no clue why it would change color..

[GretschGhost]

Originally Posted by Hitonedaddyo

Thank u! Yea I have no clue why it would change color..

Depending on what is used to make the silver flake, it could be oxidizing of the metal in the flake. Different gold flake and sparkle and other metallic finishes often oxidize and turn strange shades of red, green and orange.

[Hitonedaddyo]

I wonder if gretsch does anything about it. This falcon cost a pretty penny

[desertfox4]

Letting it sit in direct sunlight might cause it. Not sure on the sparkle binding but the white will age quickly if left in direct sunlight for very long.

That's a pretty guitar.

[Pete Gorilla]

Originally Posted by Hitonedaddyo

Does any one else have this happening? I'm getting a strange discoloration on the silver sparkle binding on my Silver Falcon...

Look cool!

[Hitonedaddyo]

Originally Posted by desertfox4

Letting it sit in direct sunlight might cause it. Not sure on the sparkle binding but the white will age quickly if left in direct sunlight for very long.

That's a pretty guitar.

Yes the aged white bindings look nice, but this discoloration on sparkle does not look good. But I doubt it's from sun..I never play it in the sun..so I'm still lost as to why it would discolor..

[Hitonedaddyo]

Originally Posted by Pete Gorilla

Look cool!

The discoloration looks cool? Or the sparkle?

[Uncle Daddy]

My Sparkle 5125 has a similar yellowing of the poly coat. Not enough to make me mad, bit definitely there.

[GretschGhost]

Originally Posted by Uncle Daddy

My Sparkle 5125 has a similar yellowing of the poly coat. Not enough to make me mad, bit definitely there.

This usually happens when the clear coat begins to get worn and collects residue.
You can usually get rid of it with some power buffing. Takes a little effort as you must remove all the hardware but it's worth your time.
The best solution, although risky, is to take some extremely high-grit sand paper and lightly sand the top coat then buff back to clear.

[starwhitehair]

Update!!!! I just found the same discoloration on my Black Phoenix. It is where my forearm rest on the lower boute.......and looks like its starting along the underside of the neck binding and probably due to wear and sweat. So there you go and thanks for getting me to take a closer look at the sparkle binding (which I just do not like at all) closer.

[Hitonedaddyo]

Originally Posted by starwhitehair

Update!!!! I just found the same discoloration on my Black Phoenix. It is where my forearm rest on the lower boute.......and looks like its starting along the underside of the neck binding and probably due to wear and sweat. So there you go and thanks for getting me to take a closer look at the sparkle binding (which I just do not like at all) closer.

Well at first I thought sweat... But the discoloration I have isn't on areas where I touch or sweat...so maybe its something just with age/oxidization..

And why do u hate the sparkle? And still got a Phoenix? Are you looking to sell or trade it? Or is it a tolerable issue?
I had a white penguin, but sold it simply be aide I could not stand the gold. Lol

[starwhitehair]

I love hollowbodies period and the Phoenix I got was just a a steal of a deal, I have another gretsch with TV Jones Classics so I knew I couldn't go wrong. I don't like sparkle on any guitars binding. I get alot of offers to sell, but it is fun to play and I have to live with the sparkle. I just can't be sad owning a Black Phoenix and having only $1550.00 in with the case and she sings like a bird.

[SecretAgentMan]

I also have the same issue on my '04 Silver Falcon. It's noticable up close on the vertical logo on the headstock, as well as the sides. To me it does not look like something that can be buffed out, and it does nit seem to be a discoloration, it looks more like oxidation under the clear coat.

[firstrebel]

Maybe a good coat of polish before hand will prevent this.

Bob