Sunburst/No Sunburst...that is the question

[Tnfiddler]

I’ll say an Ambertone burst would look great! I’m a big fan of the one on my D41!

[MorrisseyGuitar]

Originally Posted by Mr. Paul

Beautiful guitar, I think we are choosing between 3 right answers.

Well said - I'm glad it's not three wrong answers.

[MorrisseyGuitar]

Originally Posted by Tnfiddler

I’ll say an Ambertone burst would look great! I’m a big fan of the one on my D41!

Originally Posted by jklotz

I went through a similar quandary when Steve built my Edwinson. The 40 year old cedar was the ultimate tone wood for what I was going for, and worked really well, but it wasn't all that exciting to look at. We decided to give it a burst. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

These two examples of amber bursts I like a lot. Thanks for submitting

[Tim McKnight]

See how the darker burst against the lighter colored shell and purflings show a much greater degree of contrast and separation? Even a faint burst will give you more contrast than the lighter colored spruce which will showcase the shell to a much greater degree IMHO. Granted bursts aren’t for everyone but if you want the shell to stand out that is one option to consider.

[fitness1]

I'm in the no burst camp - that looks like I pretty darn nice top, I would want the grain and natural beauty to show through!

[Crosswind]

That is a nice-looking top so no sunburst for me!

[FingahPickah]

I'm very particular about sunbursts.. anything orange.. no thanks... a nice tobacco (on a Gibson or Guild style body) .. or an amber burst on a Martin Dread ... yes please.

I do like the look of my:

Eastman AC108ce-LTD ..hand rubbed stain
Example: https://reverb.com/item/29844006-gui...n-200-ex-world

And my Taylor - Shaded Edge Burst on the mahogany top

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/...324e-Front.png

A buddy has an 1980's Guild D212 that looks awesome.
https://reverb.com/item/1122375-guil...-1981-sunburst

[jt1]

A sunburst, but hand-rubbed dye on bare wood and then varnish over the top (like Lloyd Loar era Gibsons or modern Kim Walker or Steve Gilchrist):

[JCM615]

Like everything Kim does, that burst is unique and exceptional. Great shot.

[mhw48]

Originally Posted by jt1

A sunburst, but hand-rubbed dye on bare wood and then varnish over the top (like Lloyd Loar era Gibsons or modern Kim Walker or Steve Gilchrist):

Nick Kukich of Franklin Guitars also does a stunning hand rubbed dye (Lloyd Loar Gibson-esque) sunburst that doesn’t obscure the woodgrain

[FLRon]

I love a beautiful shade top so long as there is no yellow/tobacco flavor to it. I much prefer the Martin Ambertone or older Gibson bursts. Heck, I’ve even seen a few Taylor bursts that I liked.

[MorrisseyGuitar]

Here is an example from Collings of the edge burst (amber burst) I was thinking of. It darkens the perimeter but lets the top grain show through.

[Guitars44me]

Isn’t that a song?

I don’t see how you can go wrong with this one! I was never a sunburst fan but they have been growing on me the past couple years….

They seem to be in fashion nowadays, and not just on Gibbys

Beautiful instrument!

Someone will enjoy it a lot!!!

Paul

[raysachs]

Originally Posted by MorrisseyGuitar

Here is an example from Collings of the edge burst (amber burst) I was thinking of. It darkens the perimeter but lets the top grain show through.

I'm not a fan of bursts on acoustic guitars, so I voted no burst. But that subtle edge burst on the Collings in the post quoted above (#27) is pretty sweet and still shows the beauty of the natural top. Almost more like a subtle vignette than an actual burst. I really like natural tops on acoustic guitars, a slightly aged look when possible, whether from actual age or a subtle bit of dark toner on a new guitar.

-Ray

[bbintn]

The Gibson J-45 burst looks good, the Martin ambertone is pretty nice... I like the Collings fade, but the Martin version- black band with barely any fade is not attractive at all.