How to change a white humbucker into aged white???

[rabbuhl]

I finally got my loaded pickguard with Fralin Blues Specials / Fralin Unbucker and am ready to install it. I ordered it with a mint/black/mint pickguard and aged white covers for the single coils. I got the Unbucker in white because someone said I could dye it using shoepolish. Any recommendations for changing it from white into aged white? Has anyone successfully done it using shoe polish?

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr62/rabbuhl/DSC01429.jpg

[buddastrat]

Yeah that's not too pretty. . Can't really do the usual coffee/tea thing that everybody does. I have no experience with shoe polish. I'd think it'd wear off. You could try uv light or some kinda of dye but a lot of times those buckers tend to stay white. Could you exchange and get a cream humbucker or black one would look better too. a zebra humbucker would look great in there. Or just slap a nickel cover on it, that'd look cool.

Many times when they're bright white, they stay white and don't age. I've found Duncans to be like that a lot of times. A lot of the older HSS Fenders are like that too. The single covers yellow with time while the bucker stays bright.

Or you could get a white guard and it'd look okay.

[Tone-Control]

Chain smoke. :D

[rabbuhl]

Or you could get a white guard and it'd look okay.

I originally had a white guard in it because DiMarzio has a patent on yellow humbuckers. I thought the white pickguard did not look as good as the original mint/black/mint. All I need to do is figure out the best way to color the white humbucker. With all of the aging going on with guitar parts I am hoping someone can give some hints.

[gulliver]

You could easily change the SCs to white. I have a white on mint guard strat, looks great.

[rabbuhl]

You could easily change the SCs to white. I have a white on mint guard strat, looks great.

Thanks, that is an option to consider. I think I still have some white SC covers.

[Tone-Control]

It would be easiest to change the singles and controls to white. It's actually hard to match aged white/cream colors unless they are a matched set.

[rabbuhl]

It would be easiest to change the singles and controls to white. It's actually hard to match aged white/cream colors unless they are a matched set.

I am going to try and talk to builders who do aging. I am not looking at a perfect match just something that looks better than white.

[custom53]

Play it in a bar 3 nights a week for about 20 years...

[buddastrat]

http://www.gearnuts.com/images/guitars/StratCH1NBLK/R49123/R49123-detail3-l.jpg

I still like this look, or Zebra!

[Dale]

Play it in a bar 3 nights a week for about 20 years...

Most bars are non-smoking here now. Note sure how well that will work these days.

[christhered]

Play it in a bar 3 nights a week for about 20 years...

Probably not feasible since most of the country is non-smoking now

[custom53]

Most bars are non-smoking here now. Note sure how well that will work these days.


Not the ones I play in...

[solitaire]

I'm curious if you couldn't speed age it by exposing this one pickup only to UV light for a shorter period of time. This should make the plastic go yellow, but too much exposure could make it check or even crack.

[A440]

this may be a cheesy solution, but they make bobbin toppers in different colors.

bobbin toppers (http://universaljems.com/cart/bobbin.htm)


I like the idea of getting a nickel cover too.

I have white pickups in an aged white guard and it bothers me a little, but it's not a drastic difference. I just ignore it and play it :)

[Dale]

You could try ... (you are about to read a VERY bad plan). The smooth plastic will not take any color - whips clean. Rough i up with a very fine sanding sponge. Then use the shoe polish idea. For this to work all the planets must align - and you use all your lotto karma for life.

[rabbuhl]

I still like this look, or Zebra!

Very cool. Going with black or zebra would have looked nice!!