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Thread: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

  1. #1
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    Wiki says sunburst came about on guitars because of an effort to give it the same high quality look as expensive violins and such from Europe. The other assertion there is that the black covered over less attractive grain. I don't know how true these are. My guess seems really off the mark--I just thought it somehow a cowboy style that caught on. Half of my guitars are either some kind of burst. When you step back from it, you see how remarkable it is that a style like that has continued and remained popular.

    Does wiki's origin story sound right?
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  2. #2
    Forum Member dirtdog's Avatar
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    Sunburst, eh? I blame the Druids!

  3. #3
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    I've found this pretty cool source of info on guitar finishes, with delicious pics:

    https://www.guitarworld.com/features...ender-finishes




  4. #4
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    I don't know, but I like it!

  5. #5
    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    I am probably the only person on earth who doesn’t care for the burst look.
    Striving to be ordinary

    Proud to be a TFF Dumbass!

  6. #6
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    Quote Originally Posted by OldStrummer View Post
    I am probably the only person on earth who doesn’t care for the burst look.
    Then why comment on a post about bursts? ha ha. C'mon, Fred! You don't see me going to a thread on 335s and saying merely, "I must be the only person who doesn't like 335s". lol, I love ya, man.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  7. #7
    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    Quote Originally Posted by ch willie View Post
    Then why comment on a post about bursts? ha ha. C'mon, Fred! You don't see me going to a thread on 335s and saying merely, "I must be the only person who doesn't like 335s". lol, I love ya, man.
    And yet I have a couple of burst guitars. One of my prized (aren't they all?) guitars is my Robin Trower Custom Shop in Midnight Wine burst.


    And what defines a classic Gibson? Tobacco burst (maybe that's why I shy away from the look).




    And I'm not getting rid of either one!
    Striving to be ordinary

    Proud to be a TFF Dumbass!

  8. #8
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    Well Fred, those are absolutely beautiful. I love that Trower Strat. What's it like? Is the neck meaty? How would you compare the tone to other Strats? Would you be willing to make up a thread about the guitar in the Strat folder? That is a unique burst, one of the prettiest I've ever seen.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  9. #9
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    Not a fan of sunbursts as well.

    Own many.

    Prefer solid.

    This one always bugged me.

    Looks square and cheesy.

    Sounds phenomenal but makes me want to hurl.


  10. #10
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: The Origins of Sunburst Finishes

    I see what you mean, renderit. A bad sunburst will ruin the looks of a guitar. Except for my Epi Casino, my sunbursts were painted well.

    I find it interesting that sunburst finishes are ubiquitous. Does any other wood industry do sunburst finishes? Sunburst furniture might exist, rare if so. I chased sunburst for my Strat, Tele, and one of my JBs, but the Hofner, the Les Paul, the Ric 330, and the Casino could have solid colors, and I'd have been just as happy.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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