interesting aging visualized. 2011 vs 2016

[zeebow]

 I attended the taylor guitars factory tour  September 2011. I took a few of the sound hole cut outs that were available at the factory. In November 2016, I visited the tour again to pick out the Tone woods for my future BTO. I took home a few samples.

When I got home I was shocked to find the differences in color. I guess this is a good demonstration  of how wood darkens and Sitka turns a golden honey color over a couple of years.

 The lighter color ones are from November 2016. To be more specific the ones that are laid flat, the bottom ones are the newer ones. On the ones where they are standing vertically, the ones on the left are from 2016

[captainamerica]

Could the color changes be due to the environment, like the humidity, heat, etc?

[TaylorGirl]

The changes could very well be from age, I won't argue that. But, it could also be attributable to the fact that some Sitka is darker than other Sitka. I have many of these cutouts (from the same trip) and they varied in light/darkness from day one. Mine are from 2006. Many are still very light.

[zeebow]

true i guess there are different grades and shades. i have a few from 2011 that are the same shade and noticed a definite delifference

ill be sure to white balance my new bto to see how it changes with age

[woodnut]

All wood darkens with age from UV light.
Look at antique American Cherry furniture, it started out life as a light to medium brown wood and over a couple hundred years is almost black.
People stain new Cherry to get the look of the antiques.
I have a few piles of choice woods that I've collected over the years and woods like padauk, Purple Heart, etc. darken in the areas not covered by other boards, then regain their original color when planed or sanded.
The fluorescent lights darken those boards.
Finish also has a effect whether it has UV light inhibitors or not.
Also no two boards/trees are alike which is why we all have a liking for wood.

[TaylorGirl]

I agree, uv exposure, finish, the particular piece of wood, age (also goes along with exposure), are all factors. It's cool to see changes, especially with our light colored guitar tops. Many of my cut outs have lived in a drawer....no exposure. Probably why they are still so light after 10 years.

[zeebow]

mine sit out on a display shelf