Got a thoery....

I have this theory that sunburst finishes sound better than solid finishes.

It may sound stupid, but I have a good reason to believe this.
I was watching a tour of the Fender USA factory. During the tour, they said they chose which pieces of wood were good enough for sunburst, and which pieces would get a solid finish. Beautiful pieces of wood also have good tonal qualities, such as tight grain, consistancy, few or no deviations in the grain, etc. So, to sum it up, my theory is as follows: "Sunburst finishes, which have exposed grain, have better quality tone woods." I'm looking for a lutheirs thought on this.

 

Pretty much...if I'm right, the more exposed the grain is, the better the sound. Sunburst uses color, but natural finishes show the wood straight-up, so they may have even better wood, so if you get the same model, with the same quality neck and electronics, in sunburst and natural, the natural may sound better.

 

Also worth mentioning, the sunburst finishes won't have any filler, since the grain is exposed. The solid finishes may use filler if the wood is not perfect.....

 

Lose the "glue lines" sarcasm. This is based on wood quality, not the look of the instrument. My theory is as follows: Better wood = Better tone, and Exposed grain = Better wood. NOT Pretty finish = Better tone.

 

Sorry....seriously thought you were being sarcastic.

As far as noticing the difference, it probably isn't very noticable, if at all. I just think there is a difference there....that, and the "filler" comment earlier. filler diminishes tone.

 

He removed his truss rod and filled the cavity with BB's?

Wow, that almost makes my thread seem good.....

"Mommy, I can't adjust my neck relief. What's wrong?"

 

Also, not all sunburst models use a vaneer, I know what your talking about, but that only applies to some models. There ARE some sunburst models without a vaneer.