Sometimes guitars woods look different in person than they do on camera, but we usually hear our guitars in person look much better than our pictures online. With that said if you were expecting darker woods, you will soon see your woods darken. When woods are fresh and new they are their lightest in hue. As your woods settle and cure and are exposed to light they will darken. It's for this reason we always warn our players that if they're going to install a pick guard, plan on using it forever because in a few months you will see a tan line meaning the wood under the pick guard will soon be much lighter.