Are burst finishes out?

[Warpeg]

I've noticed that some TB members have been condemning burst finishes in threads over the past year or so. It got me wondering, "are burst finishes not as popular as they once were? If they are much less popular, then what are the colors/finishes that everyone is into right now?"

So, what say you?

 

[Snert]

So, what say you?

I have always hated them, for about 40y now.
I'd much rather natural wood than a burst or paint.

 

[scott sinner]

Not to me. I was just GASsing over this avocado toast burst

 

[luciens]

No.

L

 

[ctmullins]

I say you shouldn't give a crap about what other people think. You be you!

 

[WillyW]

It's not all TB members, mostly me.

Friends don't let friends sunburst and tort.

I also don't like coffee table, or black bass or treble geetars......

if I don't like something then no one else is allowed to enjoy it....

grumble, grumble.... get off my lawn!

 

[Poobini]

It's not all TB members, mostly me.

Friends don't let friends sunburst and tort.

I also don't like coffee table, or black bass or treble geetars......

if I don't like something then no one else is allowed to enjoy it....

grumble, grumble.... get off my lawn!

How about... a trans-blackburst doubleneck 4/6 with a very visible buckeye grain?

 

[WillyW]

How about... a trans-blackburst doubleneck 4/6 with a very visible buckeye grain?

 

[truand85]

It's not all TB members, mostly me.

Friends don't let friends sunburst and tort.

I also don't like coffee table, or black bass or treble geetars......

if I don't like something then no one else is allowed to enjoy it....

grumble, grumble.... get off my lawn!

Deep down we all know you have a sunburst P with tort and flats. You play it with one finger when noone's looking.

 

[Starthief]

For me it's not "burst or no", it's the whole package.

To me an FSO with tobacco burst and tort pickguard is a particularly dull and somewhat ugly relic, like an '83 Renault Alliance or a faux wood paneled trailer home. (And... I have a bass like this. It's the one I don't play...) If you give it the "roadworn" / "relic'd" treatment it's worse, and I'd honestly rather have it covered in duct tape.

But not everything with a burst finish is like that. Just switching to teal or purple for instance, or a transparent burst (depending on the wood grain) can make them a lot more interesting. Some of the Mayones instruments with burst finishes are stunning (though some are also obnoxious... maybe it's a fine line).

 

[Gustopher]

Nah, I like mine just fine.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Styles, trends and fads come and go like the tides. It is the way of things. Case in point; who’d ever think vinyl LP’s and bellbottoms would ever come back into fashion?

 

[Lit311]

I have always hated them, for about 40y now.
I'd much rather natural wood than a burst or paint.

Same. Sand the 40y part. But… closer to 20. And just orange and yellow. Idk there is something about it that just turns me off. Natural is okay. Just fine. Wood color of some kind… yeah. But Sunburst? Nah. Pass. Could be my dream bass and I’ll turn it down. Or just sand it and repaint it. And probably screw it up.

 

[JRA]

I've noticed that some TB members have been condemning burst finishes in threads over the past year or so.

i'm glad @WillyW stepped up with his own admission --- because i don't remember throwing any shade on bursts ("condemning") --- and i recently finished assembling a blue burst parts ax myself:


but TBH: the traditional, various brownish bursts haven't been high on my list of favorites for quite a while. i think i just got tired of them. that said, i've seen some stunning bursts on a few NBDs.

i voted "it depends."

 

[songwriter21]

I dig 'em.

 

[2F/2F]

3TSB is always in.

2TSB, bright yellow to black or very dark brown, is more rare, and preferable to me.

 

[Rib 13]

I dont buy into trends or trendiness so I dont ask myself questions like that...I pretty much play what I like.....I even bought basses with colors I dont like just because I got a great deal on it and they sound awesome

 

[StereoPlayer]

 

[smogg]

Burst works for me. Not is ok also.

 

[captainofsmooth]

Nope, 100% a burst guy. In fact I’d sold off all but two of my dozen basses to replace them with various bursts. I’m in the process of swapping out the last two for burst versions as we speak. Bursts just have a classic, vintage vibe that provide an opportunity to show off wood grain without looking like a coffee table bass (which I despise).