Gibson Pelham Blue - Question...

[dc10bass]

LBO's...

I have an Orville Thunderbird that is ready for paint... FTR, I'm having it professional done.
I'm going with Pelham Blue, but am curious about two things;

1. Where is a reputable place to find what would be considered "Gibson" Pelham Blue?

2. Is there a "Vintage" shade of Pelham Blue available?
I ask because some Vintage Pelham Blue Gibson's I have seen have almost a greenish tint to it.
As seen here;





Thank you all for your input!
Curt

[Barklessdog]

Those have yellowed due to the nitro clear coat turning them yellow.

Pelham has more of a steal blue tint to vs Lake Placid Blue

[uwe]

http://www.gibsonbass.com/GibsonColours.php

You can't get more reputable than that!!!

It was a Dupont color: Pelham Blue  4038L (color code).

Also some good info here:

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibsonc.html

Excerpt from the above site:

"Lacquer is no longer available, and unfortunately many of the original Gibson automotive lacquer colors were not translated to the new low VOC paint formulas. There are some alternatives though. For example with Pelhem Blue, the color "Astra Blue Mica" as used on 1992 Iszuz vehicles is an excellent match, Sherwin Williams color code 718/B204 and Dupont ChromaBase H-9623K. Ernie from the Gibson Custom Shop claims that after extensive research by Gibson this is the equivalent to the original Pelhem Blue."

[shadowcastaz]

I have used the astra mica blue and it is  great . I got it in a 12 oz spray can .I also top coated with tinted  clear coat. http://www.paintscratch.com/cgi-bin/search_codes.cgi    ( Astra Blue Metallic Clearcoat    718/B204)

[the mojo hobo]

Laquer is still available. There is a company called Tower Paint, I think they are in Wisconsin. One of their specialities is producing laquer touch up paint for cars of the Fifties. They can mix paint from the codes on the provide.net pages, and put it in spray cans. Two cans is more than enough for a Thunderbird. If you want paint call them, their website isn't all that great. http://www.towerpaint.com

[gearHed289]

This is a very informative site:

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibsonc.html

And BTW - hubba hubba! That green-ed Pelham Firebird is sweet!

[Barklessdog]

Here is an old non reverse in Pelham

[EvilLordJuju]

Yeah, greened pelham is just lush. Thinking about getting a battered '69 EB3 done in that colour. With a slightly yellowed clearcoat of course.

Check this thread
http://reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=16042

[Chris P.]

The Blue's nice, but the greend blue is even better.

Using those original paints and yellow-ish clear coat would be nice.

[shadowcastaz]

Is this close?http://reranchstore.stores.yahoo.net/shergreenmet.html

[eb2]

I have used the Reranch amber tint on a few things to give it that old look, especially on binding.  If you have seen old Melody Makers in the blue or just been around a lot of vintage guitars, you will really see the age thing when you give a pass or two.  It is subtle but really takes you there.  Works great on the cherry red.  A little goes a long way on an SG/EB red.  Makes the binding and side dots on the neck really look right.

Then you could go whole hog, and start smacking the edges with a set of key, and sand-through here and there.

[hieronymous]

My Melody Maker:

[Bass VI]

This is my Orv done in Astra Blue Mica ( Chroma Base not lacquer ) top coated with nitro lac ( no tint )



It's not quite as " blue " in person, a little more " steely " ..........

Good luck it's a great color,

S.

[TBird1958]

Scott, that's sure a great looking bass! 

[shadowcastaz]

It really is a pleasure to paint with vs. laquer.