R9 Decision - Dirty Lemon or Washed Cherry

[KCLP]

When it rains it pours. After getting a deal on a 2020 Washed Cherry R9 from a friend last week, I find out I could have a 2021 Dirty Lemon R9 instead. In other words, I can take my pick of the two. Now I’m not sure what to do as I like em both and they both play and sound great.

The Dirty Lemon is about a year and a half newer and in better condition. Overall, I think the Dirty Lemon looks more authentic to what a real 59 would look like today and even the lacquer yellowed the binding a bit more.

The Washed Cherry is a beautiful guitar with a unique top. It looks as bright and modern as my 60’s Standard which isn’t a bad thing. It’s just a different look.

I like both for different reasons but this is my first and likely only opportunity to get an R9 so I want to make an informed decision.

So, given the extensive knowledge and experience of the folks here, which one makes the most sense as an R9?

Thanks for your input.

 

[searswashere]

I dont even think about what a real 59 looks like, I just want to stare at the top when I see it. Dirty Lemon over here.

 

[jlb32]

The Washed Cherry looks great but I personally like the Dirty Lemon better. It's your decision though.

The fading of the Originals is all about the individual guitar. Did it stay in its case most of it's life, etc... The fading varies.

 

[hotshot]

To me, the dirty lemon looks "older". That is a hard choice. In my mind, there is no wrong choice !!!!

 

[redcoats1976]

dirty lemon if "both" is not an option...

 

[Injector]

Hmm. Difficult. Which is the lightest? If one is 8.5lbs and the other is over 9 then I'd get the lighter one. Both look good. If the lemon is in much better condition I would get that one.

 

[Duane_the_tub]

Have you held both in your hands? If so, is there a difference in the feel of the lacquer, the consistency/hardness?

 

[KCLP]

Hmm. Difficult. Which is the lightest? If one is 8.5lbs and the other is over 9 then I'd get the lighter one. Both look good. If the lemon is in much better condition I would get that one.

Lemon 8.7, Cherry 8.33

 

[Injector]

Lemon 8.7, Cherry 8.33

Both light then and the cherry is a featherweight. To some that would be the clincher.

 

[KCLP]

Have you held both in your hands? If so, is there a difference in the feel of the lacquer, the consistency/hardness?

Cherry is a bit stickier but also brittle. The hard dings in the cherry tend to lead to chips in the lacquer, dings in the Lemon are dents, maybe because it’s newer. Otherwise the Lemon seems more VOS and the Cherry gloss like my Standard, despite both being VOS with aged hardware.

 

[1allspub]

Honestly, both look really nice. If you already have a 60s Standard that looks similar to the Washed Cherry, then I'd go with the Lemon (assuming neither trumps the other in terms of tone or playability... AND... the price was the same).

 

[KCLP]

Both light then and the cherry is a featherweight. To some that would be the clincher.

Thanks, the cherry does pick up easily but both are well balanced. Since they are well under 9, the 5 oz difference isn’t a big deal to me, the cheeseburger I had for lunch weighed more. I will probably use it only at home and the studio. I have other LPs for gigs.

 

[AJK1]

Washed Cherry for me
It just looks to me how a 59 LP should look

 

[NightShift88]

The cherry is def. nice, but that dirty lemon all day long.

 

[Tim Plains]

The top on that cherry is terrible, just being honest, lemon had me at hello.

 

[KCLP]

Washed Cherry for me
It just looks to me how a 59 LP should look

Thanks. What features of the guitar give it “the look” in your opinion? Is it the color, the flame?

 

[HIDDEN]

The fretboard on the lemon looks better…maybe?
Btw, I hate cherry color on any guitar

 

[ArchEtech]

99% I’d take the lemon but that is a nice cherry. Neither have that perfect of a top, I like a bit more symmetry.

 

[Flogger59]

The washed cherry will end up lemon burst one day. Enjoy the ride.

 

[AJK1]

Thanks. What features of the guitar give it “the look” in your opinion? Is it the color, the flame?

I actually prefer plain tops, but I like Cherry Bursts the best, like I said, they just look like how a Sunburst LP should look imo
There is no burst in a so-called lemonburst, it’s just lemon