Are burst finishes out?

[bcouper]

Is it fair to say there are good bursts and some not so good. I like my Stingray cherry burst - may not be for everyone.
View attachment 4656335

 

[Dreamsinger]

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?

Coming from an acoustic guitar background, I've never cared for sunburst once I found out it was really a way to hide tops with wide grain, runout and nowhere close to being quartersawn. I know, not relevant to a solid body bass but why go through the hassle of doing a 'burst when it has no functional value on a bass?

 

[bcouper]

Some bursts are worthy, some not so much. I like the one on my Stingray.

 

[swagbotbilly]

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

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!

What finishes DO you like?

 

[Spankyspank]

It’s a No

 

[joellay]

I think they look great, but don't have a bass with a burst, I think natural finishes are having a moment now

You can get a natural finish burst. I have it on my Sandberg.

 

[User4737557]

 

[User4737557]

View attachment 4656390

Sold this recently only because it’s a 4 string

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

For me it really just depends on the particular bass and the particular burst. Going into more detail is a rabbit hole I don't want to investigate right now...

 

[User4737557]

View attachment 4656390

Recently sold this Maruszczyk Frog beta 5

 

[Gary Rosen]

Does anyone care what the damn bass *sounds* like? Asking for a friend …

 

[Bassalien70]

My first bass in 1985 was a sunburst satellite jazz bass copy....I grew to hate that bass for various reasons including the sunburst finish..I have only owned one other sunburst bass and that was a Yamaha trb 5 Japanese built. I only bought it as it was a steal. Give me I nice grainy swamp ash bass anyday.

 

[wango55]

I've never been someone who has ever been "in style". So here's my burst-babies. I don't really care about color anyways - tone, feel, and price are more important purchase drivers for me. But hey, if bursts do go out of style maybe I'll get some better deals on them!

 

[Perry F Yeldham]

Love the burst! Six of them here in my studio - two Sadowsky's, a Fodera, a P, an Ibanez Gary Willis fretless and a 2001 American Strat - and I would've gotten the Fodera Yin Yang in burst if I could've!...

 

[User4737557]

Here’s my replacement Maruszczyk Sputnik 5

 

[MikePlaysBass]

I don’t know how indicative TalkBass is of the entire bass community. The old tobacco bursts are a bit dated to some people, but then (like torti pickguards) that’s also part of the appeal. There are so many types of burst using multiple colors that have a more modern look, and some variation of color (that I wouldn’t really consider a traditional burst) does look great to me, but then so does a plain wood finish.
If you like it and it plays well, has good ergonomics, and sounds great, then those are always much higher on my list than the finish applied to the body.
And if you want a special look for a particular band or gig where that is really important, then those vinyl wraps are quite convincing a few feet away.

 

[jazzyvee]

You can’t hear burst or non burst in the mix, so does it matter?

 

[Rusty Ogre]

I hate yellow. But I love black burst edges. Just had this Fender Zone painted

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Damn it!

...I knew I should have checked with TB first!

...now I'm stuck walking in with this to any situation...