Sun Burst vs Non-Burst Top - Sound impact?

[Treenewt]

Originally Posted by mdshax

Not only this, but it's been scientifically proven that a burst makes a player 15% better than a non-burst. You can't argue with science.

Bwaaahahahahahaha! Man I must really stink when I play natural ones then!

[JTFoote]

Mine not only sounds better because it's a 'burst, but it's a whiskey burst, so my playing will intoxicate you! Don't listen for too long, or you'll need an Uber.

... JT

[Treenewt]

Originally Posted by JTFoote

Mine not only sounds better because it's a 'burst, but it's a whiskey burst, so my playing will intoxicate you! Don't listen for too long, or you'll need an Uber.

... JT

JT for the win!!!

[pandaroo]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

No, "extra layers of stain" is not an accurate description of the methods used to produce sunburst finishes in factory-built guitars. What these guitars have that makes them different from so-called "natural" finishes is the addition of pigment to some of the layers of finish. There's generally the same amount of lacquer sprayed for both sunburst and natural finishes, there's just a tiny amount of powdered pigment dissolved and added to a few of the coats that go on the sunburst models.

The difference in mass is probably not even measurable, as it's the same material that gets sprayed on: some of the lacquer coats are tinted on the sunburst instruments, that's all. But they generally get the same number of coats of lacquer as on the natural finish instruments.

There are different finish materials in common use in guitar manufacturing these days, so I can't speak for all of them. But with nitrocellulose lacquer finishes like those used by Martin and Gibson, what I've just described is how it works. There's generally zero impact on the sound.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

I wasn't sure the exact process of applying a burst, but first impression was that I thought may be its another layer of coat on top. Your response makes sense now. Thank you so much Wade.

Originally Posted by pandaroo

If 2 totally identical guitars (same make, same materials, same builder, same model etc.) with the exception of one with a burst top and one without a burst.

Does that mean the guitar with a burst has extra layers of stain on the top hence, in theory, it adds thickness to the top compared to one with a natural top?

Pure AGF gold.

"How much does ball end material affect tone?"

"How much do dot inlays affect tone?"

"How much does a booger in my left nostril affect tone?"

[pandaroo]

Apologies for the silly question. I just had to ask.

Have a look at these other topics too on whether the minute details of the build has impact on tone

Wood binding vs ivoroid binding
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...=400748&page=3

Wood pins vs bone pins
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=481410

Stainless steel fret vs nickel fret
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/in...-gold.1339023/

Purfling heringbone vs other purfling
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=369091

Bone vs plastic nut
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/in...ne-nut.964827/

[Wade Hampton]

It's perfectly reasonable to wonder about that.


whm