Z SCORP Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 Is there any difference between the two other than the finish? I can order a faded v and have it in a few days, however if I get a polished I'll have to wait a month. Is that the only reason the polished is more expensive or is it actually a better guitar?
GibSinCity Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 Yes, the only difference is the faded vs. the polished finish. I have a Faded V. Great guitar. If you use a polish on a faded finish, you will get a slightly polished look. Like an older guitar that was once shiney and has faded naturally. But be aware, this can not be reversed. Here's a before and after shot of a Faded Les Paul that's been polished.
BobB Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 Some players feel that the thinner Satin or Faded finishes actually open up the sound of the guitar more than thicker finishes. I guess the best way to tell is to find both versions at a local dealer where you can plug, play and compare.
Hydra26 Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 It's true. I owned both. The faded V sounded more open, brighter and thinner. I ended up keeping the glossy one. I actually liked the fatter sound but that's personal preference. The difference wasn't night and day btu ti was noticeable to me. If oyu like to keep your stuff clean looking, faded finishes are much less of a hassle too, they don't show fingerprints every time you touch them. Also, this could be psychological but it seemed at the time like my faded V was a bit lighter than the full on version. I kind of doubt I was feeling the actual weight difference though, how much can a few extra coats of lacquer weigh? But the important parts, the construction, the electronics, the dimensions, that was all the same.
bluezguy Posted February 16, 2012 Posted February 16, 2012 Some players feel that the thinner Satin or Faded finishes actually open up the sound of the guitar more than thicker finishes. I guess the best way to tell is to find both versions at a local dealer where you can plug, play and compare. Call me the rebel or whatever but, my experience buying these things over time and my ears have always led me to the highest gloss, hardest finishes out there. Case in point ... recently purchased an ES-335 Dot Reissue Figured ... went in with a $2100 budget to buy the ES335 faded. After A/B testing back & forth it was VERY clear that the Figured ES was far more resonant, clear, defined etc over the satin ES335. The satins ones, of which I tried all 3 on the wall, were 'dull' sounding. Maybe it was just me that day ... but i doubt it.
Hydra26 Posted February 17, 2012 Posted February 17, 2012 I havent compared them, but I think yo're right on the 335's. I think the differences there were more than merely superficial clear coat, although I don't know specifically. When talking about V's, though, the differences were really that few. Later on when I saw the faded explorers, I noticed the logo was silk screened rather than inlaid like the glossy model. It's a very minor difference but visible and made me wonder where else the spec varied from the stock model. On the V's I owned the logo is on the oversized TRC and were the same or very very similar.
Z SCORP Posted February 27, 2012 Author Posted February 27, 2012 Well, after thinking about it for a while, I've decided to go with the faded v! Thanks so much for all your input everyone!
bobouz Posted February 27, 2012 Posted February 27, 2012 Case in point ... recently purchased an ES-335 Dot Reissue Figured ... went in with a $2100 budget to buy the ES335 faded. After A/B testing back & forth it was VERY clear that the Figured ES was far more resonant, clear, defined etc over the satin ES335. The satins ones, of which I tried all 3 on the wall, were 'dull' sounding. Maybe it was just me that day ... but i doubt it. Back in '07 when I purchased my 335, I found the exact same thing to be true. I played four gloss-figured 335s, and two satin 335s. The two satin finished instruments were dull & lifeless by comparison. Don't know how much of a factor the finish played in those results, but I certainly knew which guitars to eliminate from consideration! Finally chose a natural finished '06 model, which continues to be a very satisfying instrument.
psyco_logic Posted March 15, 2012 Posted March 15, 2012 Faded gloss adds such character...wow. Thanks for sharing this.
Submit2NeckDive Posted March 27, 2012 Posted March 27, 2012 Well, after thinking about it for a while, I've decided to go with the faded v! Thanks so much for all your input everyone! Yah I made the same decision as well. The natural finish is slighly faster of a neck and there is something raw and majestic about touching the wood instead of touching a finish. For Les Pauls, or ES guitars I feel the opposite is true. If you bought you V post it to the forum! Would love to see it. This is my V. A 3 pickup stock Flying V 3. I might have to let this go to get an SG or Firebird Custom guitar. That or buy a new amp.
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