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  #1  
Old 06-21-2018, 12:10 AM
pandaroo pandaroo is offline
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Default Sun Burst vs Non-Burst Top - Sound impact?

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?

I know in practice is not possible to hear any difference between the 2 as the impact (if any) may be none to really minimal, but like to know if there is in theory.
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Old 06-21-2018, 01:08 AM
ChalkLitIScream ChalkLitIScream is offline
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You wont hear a difference. No one will.

Apparent differences will be because of variation in density of the wood used.
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Old 06-21-2018, 02:43 AM
Wade Hampton Wade Hampton is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pandaroo View Post
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?
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
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Old 06-21-2018, 05:45 AM
Treenewt Treenewt is online now
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The burst will sound better. 😃
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Old 06-21-2018, 05:46 AM
noreast noreast is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treenewt View Post
The burst will sound better. ��
Yep, a darker, more colorful tone.
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Old 06-21-2018, 05:54 AM
llew llew is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treenewt View Post
The burst will sound better. 😃
What Matt said!
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Old 06-21-2018, 06:34 AM
musicman1951 musicman1951 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treenewt View Post
The burst will sound better. 😃
I absolutely love this answer! Made my morning.
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Old 06-21-2018, 06:34 AM
Slothead56 Slothead56 is offline
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Sounds better ‘cause it’s cooler.
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Old 06-21-2018, 06:36 AM
Humbuster Humbuster is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noreast View Post
Yep, a darker, more colorful tone.
Proven fact, by me, Martin Ambertone finish improves the sound.
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Old 06-21-2018, 06:44 AM
greyrider greyrider is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treenewt View Post
The burst will sound better. 😃
^^^^ This.. A burst always sounds better!
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Old 06-21-2018, 07:32 AM
fwphoto fwphoto is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Humbuster View Post
Proven fact, by me, Martin Ambertone finish improves the sound.

No doubt in my mind! :-)

Frank
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Old 06-21-2018, 07:45 AM
sid45 sid45 is offline
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if you like its color more it will be better, if you dont it wont be ,sound is in the eyes of the beholder
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Old 06-21-2018, 08:27 AM
383roller 383roller is offline
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It depends if the moon is waxing or waning.
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Old 06-21-2018, 08:32 AM
stringjunky stringjunky is offline
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if you like its color more it will be better, if you dont it wont be ,sound is in the eyes of the beholder
A truer word has not been spoken.
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  #15  
Old 06-21-2018, 08:43 AM
mdshax mdshax is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Treenewt View Post
The burst will sound better. 😃
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.
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