What's The Deal With Pelham Blue?

[BulbousMoses]

I was browsing one of my local music stores last week and I spied an Epiphone EB-0 in Pelham Blue. I checked a few things out when I got home and I noticed that Epiphone has used this color on a few different instruments. So what's the deal with it? Is it some kind of limited run color? IMO, it's kind of ugly (at least on the EB-0)

 

[electracoyote]

I'm not a fan either, but it appears to have some nostalgic quality, it probably showed up on early Gibsons and now gets busted out occassionally to give some semblance of credibility to whatever model Gibson/Epiphone is currently pushing.

 

[aquateen]

it was indeed a color that Gibson used occassionally.

 

[BurningSkies]

Its a rare color from the 'vintage' Gibson era...

 

[TBird1958]

It is a rare color, IIRC not many instruments were offered in Pelham Blue as "stock" as Nitro it ages to a green color that many find quite attractive.

 

[BulbousMoses]

It is a rare color, IIRC not many instruments were offered in Pelham Blue as "stock" as Nitro it ages to a green color that many find quite attractive.

Interesting. Although I doubt the Epi EB-0 is a nitro finish.

 

[LutherHeggs00]

I've never heard of Pelham Blue, but it looks a lot like what many call "ice blue metallic".

 

[TBird1958]

Interesting. Although I doubt the Epi EB-0 is a nitro finish.

No doubt it isn't!

Had to look a little, here's an older Gibson, evidently as the clearcoat ages it causes the change in color, not always evenly.

 

[Phadreus]

I've never heard of Pelham Blue, but it looks a lot like what many call "ice blue metallic".

Many consider it Gibson's version of Fender's Lake Placid Blue.

 

[BulbousMoses]

Many consider it Gibson's version of Fender's Lake Placid Blue.

I can see a slight resemblance. For some reason, though, it doesn't really work on Gibson instruments...maybe it's the shape plus the color. Just my .02 cents.

 

[BurningSkies]

It can work...depending on the instrument:

 

[darthplagis]

those new epi's are a limited run of pelham blues, there are SG's and EB's and an accoustic also.

they are on the cheap side for what they are, i love the SG (i know its a guitar, but it has a nice vinbtage set up with maestro style vibro arm and stuff).

if you liked the bass id say grab it, i doubt it will discolour like the old pelham blue but its a sweet colour still, i think they added a green or a vintage tint to the clear coat but i cant tell from the pic i have seen...... i have not seen a one in person yet so cant give that opinion

 

[BulbousMoses]

It can work...depending on the instrument:

Looks nice on that Casino...

 

[brianrost]

Pelham Blue was mostly used on budget instruments...Melody Makers, Kalamazoos, etc. where they wanted an opaque finish to hide the wood underneath.

Gibson was never into solid colors past red, white and black. Only the Fire/Thunderbird line offered more colors but most that were built are bursts.

I have a Kalamazoo bass in pelham blue and it hasn't turned green (not sure why, knock on wood). Fun bass, a bolt-on neck EB-0.

 

[stiles72]

Another chance to post these shots

"Limited Edition" Pelham Blue Epiphone Thunderbird (Korean) that I pimped with Gibson, Lull, and other vintage style parts to give it a "1964" vibe. As others have said, Pelham Blue was a custom color option in the '60s that was offered on the Firebird/Thunderbird line, and other instruments as well. In these pictures, it looks more blue - but depending on the light it has somewhat of an aqua tint like the Casino posted above.

 

[blipndub]

Making a comeback? Must be the Dave Grohl factor. And c'mon it is NOT a budget Lake Placid Blue. Totally different. OK, well, that Epi is sort of LPB. But true Pehlam is not as dark as LPB.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I like it. Anyone seen a pbass in pehlam blue?

 

[jd56hawk]

It is a rare color, IIRC not many instruments were offered in Pelham Blue as "stock" as Nitro it ages to a green color that many find quite attractive.

There's an Epiphone Thunderbird in Pelaham Blue for sale on Craigslist in Allentown...$250 with the hardshell case!
How can you go wrong at that price?

 

[CircleOfCrows]

Looks nice on that Casino...

Non reverse Firebird...

 

[ukulelelab]

Anyone seen a pbass in pehlam blue?

Pelham blue is a Gibson color. Fender never used that color