Are burst finishes out?

[Bob Trier]

My first bass was a Mosrite Ventures model, dual pickup and Sunburst finish (wish I didn't sell it for $250) but at any rate, Sunburst just seems a little "dated" like 1950 ish... I like a bare well polished wood, like my solid Cherry fretless .... I rebuilt a Peavey Foundation hoping for a nice wood underneath but it was just glued together Poplar... no style at all! I painted it Dark Cherry with a few coats of Clear Lacquer....looks fine!

 

[cbdriver]

Not out for me. I love my latest burst acquisition!!! (I just needed to lose the stark white pick guard)

 

[Big Hoss]

Haters gonna hate. To paraphrase the singer that makes many gag, Justin Beiber, they can just go ahead of love themselves...

 

[Mpcorb]

It should be a legal requirement for all bass players to have one sunburst, for the sunburst is the ultimate statement of intent, or their bass-cat card should be revoked...

 

[Didy]

I'm not a fan of the tobacco burst and never have been. I like a good solid color. Seafoam green with a maple neck is my new favorite now if only i had the money for one

 

[Astre]

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?

I love them! They were always what I thought of as the quintessential bass finish as a kid, and they're still awesome now!

 

[Fishtude]

Quite accidentally I ended up with two burst finishes, and they're the last two basses I bought. I needed a five string, and the Ibanez SR655 (in Surreal Blue Burst with a matte finish) was the right price (new) and had the pickup configuration I wanted. I then needed a fretless, and the Dean Edge 4F was a price that could not be argued with (under $200 used!), and it's Transparent Amberburst with a glossy finish. Both of them sound great and play like a dream.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I avoided bursts for a long time- just preferred natural or solid colors, but then picked up a p-bass burst with a black pickguard and fell in love with it. It stands proudly right next to a beautiful blue ESP with a flame maple top.

I agree wholeheartedly! To my eyes, nice burst finish goes great with a black pickguard! Cases in point…

Personally, I love most finishes except relic'd- I just try to avoid a plain black paint job. (But then that's just me...)

I dunno…you might be surprised how a well-placed and subtle splash of color can make a black finish really POP!!

 

[Malak the Mad]

I know people who love em and people who hate em. Always have known both. I think tobacco bursts are mostly just ok. Same with some of the Fender two tone bursts. Give me a good three tone, or give me something like a blueburst, or better yet, purple. Cherry. Green. Yum.

Blueburst and Cherryburst for the effin' win!!

 

[Jeff K]

I agree wholeheartedly! To my eyes, nice burst finish goes great with a black pickguard! Cases in point…
View attachment 4659769
View attachment 4659770
View attachment 4659771


I dunno…you might be surprised how a well-placed and subtle splash of color can make a black finish really POP!!
View attachment 4659772

I agree. IMO, a black guard looks great on any traditional Sunburst, but ESPECIALLY a Sunburst with a maple board. I tend to favor tort with Burst/rosewood, but definitely go with black with a Burst/maple.

 

[Jeff K]

It could be worse. You could like this.View attachment 4652241

Phlegm-burst? Actually, Antiqua is kind of a cool color; although I tend to go back and forth on liking/not liking them every couple years!

 

[dave64o]

Blueburst and Cherryburst for the effin' win!!
View attachment 4659775
View attachment 4659773
View attachment 4659774

I prefer the more “traditional” (for lack of a better word) bursts such as sunburst, honeyburst, and cherryburst. But the overall look of that blue burst Jazz is fantastic!

 

[DGTommy]

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?

Sunburst and all the other typical bursts are found everywhere, almost everyone has one or at least had one, which made me not buy a sunburst pbass when I was searching for one. These typical bursts don't look half bad, but I sorta got fed up with them, though as for more modern or original bursts, I'm all for them, they look great and interesting.

 

[factory presets]

It could be worse. You could like this.View attachment 4652241

The colours might not be everyone's up of tea. But it's certainly not overstated. In fact the paint is outshined by the pickguard.

 

[BhamGeo]

IMHO whatever the transparent finish, it falls flat when the wood grains are so mismatched that glue joints jump out. One obvious exception is when bookended to achieve a visual statement integral to design. This is in contrast to making a big piece of wood from random pieces sufficient to cut out a body. I understand the practicalities of conserving wood but if talking aesthetically. . . ..

 

[pepj]

If this is considered a burst, then no.

 

[Phlipper]

Burst finishes are the shiznizzle. Anyone who says otherwise is a communist.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I like this burst, but in black...

 

[BlueTalon]

Burst finishes are the shiznizzle. Anyone who says otherwise is a communist.

View attachment 4661465

That neck is amazing!

 

[thmsjordan]

I read somewhere that Fender's 3 best selling finishes were still Sunburst, Black, and white.

I don't think sunburst is going anywhere soon.