ATD and Japonese Swirls in the UV MC - What are the diferenc

armindo__dias · #1 01-09-2001, 10:38 AM

I've been wondering whats the deal between the ATD and the Japonese swirls in the UV MC. From what i've seen the Japonese ones have more yellow and pink colors while the ATD ones have more intricate veins and more mixed colors.

Now, was the lot of UV MC's divided between ATD and Japonese for painting? Who painted the most?

Last, but not least, is there any diference in collector's value between these two kind of swirls?

Thanks,
Armindo Dias

**jemsite** · #2 01-09-2001, 11:17 AM

It's not generally known how many were swirled in Japan, but it seems the first batches were done there. The obvious difference is the lesser swirl detail, and bulkier color patterns as compared to Darren/ATDs. For collecting swirls the key is condition and appeal in that order since the looks of a swirl are subjective (barring major problems)... glen

Vaibanez · #3 01-09-2001, 11:36 AM

Also....didn't Darren stamp the neck pockets of the guitars he swirled with his logo?

My PMC has one...that might be a way to tell as well.

J>

abouttimedesigns · #4 01-09-2001, 04:18 PM

Hello
There are *about 60 Japanese swirls out there. The guy they had do them could only do very few each month.
when the project first was put together there were many months between the namm showing and the first production that I did. Ibanez Japan thought that they would have a try at it over there . They figured that they could save alot on shipping and time if they did them thierselves *and the first ones shipped to U.S.A. were the Japanese models. When Steve finally got one of these guitars he rejected the project because it looked nothing like the original. about one month later I was contacted about production being on it's way from Japan . If you see the two models together you will notice a distinct color difference . The guitars that I did have neon colors in them very bright ,neon green,neon yellow,neon pink, and the black, and that was used through my whole run. The Japanese mkr's as there known by some the colors are not neon at all much deeper green a Mustard yellow and a Ketsup red instead of the pink "ok" Rellish green lol "m.k.r" . They did a real nice job on these guitars and many like them.
The swirl is usually much wider than our's . I acually wanted to meet this guy when I was in Japan . But he had since moved away when I was there . About the stamp in the neck pocket I had two of them one with just the name and one with the about time designs logo. When I first started doing them I kept up with each one with a photo and a stamp . As time and production got crazy I could not disassemble all of them my self and some did not get stamped but all were photographed for a matter of copywright and history in there raw form (no clear or electronics) I am pretty sure that 80-90% were stamped though as I was doing alot of the disassembly at night after every one went home . I hope this answers some of your questions .
Thanks for your interest
Darren / ATD / www.abouttimedesigns.com *

**jemsite** · #5 01-09-2001, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the info Darren. Great stuff.

Wow... i think that just raised the "collectability" of those ugly UV77MCs :biggrin:

Rich · #6 01-09-2001, 04:43 PM

I had this conversation with Darren a while ago. I believe the # is on the WAY light side. Every one with a 90' plate on it is a Jap swirl, and quite a few of the 91' plates are on Jap swirls too. I know you believe you swirled around 1000 UV's and if that's true then Ibanez production total for the model is way off. From what you'll see offered in the market, about 2 in 5 are ATD's. This could be that nobody sells their ATD's, but I think 2 in 5 is a pretty accurate representation of the numbers, possibly 1 in 2 if the theory that 'nobody sells their ATD's" is true. Personally I've seen LOTS more Jap swirls than ATD's.

Stevie's quote when he was shown the Jap swirls backstage at a N.Y. show was "WTF are THESE?!?!?"

MKR's basically have a random 'lack of pattern'. The colors are quite neon, but are opaque so you don't get the translucence of the white showing through like you do with the more transparent ATD swirls. Most photography shows the pinks as a red 'look', but I can guarantee you it's a very rich deep pink (in it's highest concentrations). Both will show many variences in color depending or how thick the color was when applied, how much it mixed with adjoining colors, etc. Of course the pattern on the ATD's is much more desirable overall as we all know Darren is the master!! :biggrin: A great ATD will always bring a higher price. Look to ebay for confirmation. I've never seen a Jap swirl go over $2250 but I've seen ATD's do up to $3000.

Rodney James · #7 01-09-2001, 04:45 PM

WOW! *Thanks Darren! Thats is very cool info, love hearing some History of the most awesome Machines in the world! IBY Swirls Rule!!! *Each one with it's own personality.

I had to make up some popcorn while reading your post.

Peace
RJ~DNA

Rodney James · #8 01-09-2001, 04:50 PM

whoooh!,,, Thanks Rich! *more cool info, I had to run and get a bag of smartees to read your post, cuz I ran out of popcorn.

peace again
RJ

**jemsite** · #9 01-09-2001, 05:02 PM

Quote:

A great ATD will always bring a higher price. Look to ebay for confirmation.

*Yes, provided it's in the same or similar condition.

Rich · #10 01-09-2001, 05:05 PM

Actually the $3000 ATD had 2 chips on the back, the $2250 Jap was NOS with plastic still on the guard (was mine

)

bob oakman · #11 01-09-2001, 05:06 PM

Ugh! I want! I need! I have such a bad case of MC GAS…

I have finally convinced my wife to allocate a portion of one of my monthly checks to the MC fund. It’s just a matter of time now.

When my GAS pain is finally relieved by the purchase of my first UV77MC, it will be such a relief that I may have to name her “F-art”. :biggrin:

Rich · #12 01-09-2001, 05:12 PM

I'm sure THAT one would clear a room!! (maybe the Silverdome

)

Rodney James · #13 01-09-2001, 05:33 PM

LOL,,, I know the feeling Bob, well? * kinda, Im not quite to that point yet, *but im sure right behind ya,,,,oh wait!!! a minute, that's not a good idea???

oh dear, my eyes are watering

Gotta get away from the kitty, she just let me know She wants a UVMC too.

armindo__dias · #14 01-10-2001, 06:52 AM

Thanks Darren for your post!

I always liked the MC's, but the ATD (yours) are the best! The Jap swirls always seemed to me a lot less spetacular than the micro-swirls and the amazing color variationsin yours. As for the collectability, i agree with Glen that it's a matter of personal taste. But i've seen A LOT of Jap swirls for sale, while ATD swirls are very, very rare, so the ATD swirls are usually more expensive.

Anyway, i would be happy to own one (either ATD or Jap) but, since i live in Portugal, the high price of the MC's plus the customs just make them WAY out of my price range.

Well, maybe one day, when i win the lottery that will be possible...

**jemsite** · #15 01-12-2001, 12:48 PM

#Moderation Mode

moved to the FAQ Topic area.

<a href="http://jemsiteforum.com/board/topic.cgi?forum=17&topic=1" target="_self">Moved here</a>