Guitar top styles/colors

[Troubador]

What is your favorite style/color for a guitar top? Do you favor the natural wood color, whether spruce, mahogany, cedar, etc.? What about sunburst? Have you seen the style Martin calls Ambertone? If so, what do you think of it?

[KevinH]

I like them all, every one of them. Well, except for bursts with too sharp of a gradient, like those Huss and Dalton generally use.

Oh, and I probably wouldn't want something like this (bass guitar?):

weird.jpg

[koko61]

Sitka, Engelmann and Alpine Spruce. I love all three!

[J Patrick]

…I’m a sucker for a great sunburst….the Gibson sunbursts of the 1920’s and 30’s are my absolute favorites…..

[mawmow]

I generally don't mind : Tone and comfort is all that count for me.

If I have the choice, some sunburst could attract me but I would
not add some hundreds of bucks for that, and you know, a sunburst
need to stand besides a natural top to project more punch.

[Mark Stone]

Sometimes I like sunburst; sometimes I like natural. I’ve evolved lol

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by mawmow

I generally don't mind : Tone and comfort is all that count for me.

If I have the choice, some sunburst could attract me but I would
not add some hundreds of bucks for that, and you know, a sunburst
need to stand besides a natural top to project more punch.

That's a good point and consideration about the added cost for things like sunburst. Martin adds $200 to the cost of their Ambertone HD-28. I like it a lot but not sure it's worth adding $200 to the price of the guitar.

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by KevinH

I like them all, every one of them. Well, except for bursts with too sharp of a gradient, like those Huss and Dalton generally use.

Oh, and I probably wouldn't want something like this (bass guitar?):

Attachment 73636

LOL!! ..........

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by J Patrick

…I’m a sucker for a great sunburst….the Gibson sunbursts of the 1920’s and 30’s are my absolute favorites…..

I had an all black Washburn and liked it, but I don't think I really care for the sunburst, don't know why.

[Troubador]

So, let me ask this additionally: Would you pay several hundred more for a burst or ambertone top?

[TBman]

I like all of them.. Cedar, Sitka, Sitka Burst, Mahogany..

[Rev Roy]

Ambertone is the only Martin burst that I like. My favorite burst is the one on my Collings Traditional. But I also like the clean look of a natural Adirondack low-gloss top like on my Martin Authentic.

[Tnfiddler]

Ambertone all the way!!!

[Troubador]

Rev Roy, TBman, and Tnfiddler, did you mind paying more for the burst and ambertone?

[Tnfiddler]

Originally Posted by Troubador

Rev Roy, TBman, and Tnfiddler, did you mind paying more for the burst and ambertone?

Not at all! Natural tops just get lost in a sea of guitars. Ambertone looks fantastic, especially with Abalone! It’s a bonus that my D41 is a FANTASTIC guitar!