How did sunburst become the "default" Fender colour?

[FatBoutedGirls]

Sunburst, in my opinion, is generally the second ugliest finish on any guitar. The first is sunburst with tort. Yeah, go ahead and block me.

I have asked people why? Some say it's because so-and-so played that colour. Of course that model of bass only came in two colors at the time. Others say it's because they want to look legit to other musicians.

It's not the 1950s anymore, our options are limitless. Step out.

Blocked

 

[FearNoEvil65]

 

[sethlow3]

Earlier today I was intrigued about the famous Antigua finish, and found out it came from a bunch of burned hollow fenders! It’s a very divisive finish! It’s like it’s rock and roll and horrifying at the same time to the general population of instrument buyers.

I do remember sunburst being the standard finish for really old Fender in their catalogs. It was the car finishes that they charged more for. This tracks for me today… I eventually got sick and tired of sunburst and absolutely adore bright colors with maple fingerboards.

 

[gln1955]

Earlier today I was intrigued about the famous Antigua finish, and found out it came from a bunch of burned hollow fenders! It’s a very divisive finish! It’s like it’s rock and roll and horrifying at the same time to the general population of instrument buyers.

With as much disdain as I have for sunburst, I gotta say it is a distant second to antigua (a.k.a., goat puke green) in awfulness.

 

[Spectrum]

I kind of like the Antigua finish. It's oddly attractive and repulsive at the same time. Certainly stands out.

If Rickenbacker had their version of that finish it'd be called "SnotGlo" or something.

I would prefer it to regular sunburst. Funny how two people can look at exactly the same thing and have opposite reactions to it.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Not a boomer. Not a fan.

 

[fourstringburn]

But, the modern Sunburst/tort isn't at all what it used to be.

The new Sunburst doesn't have the bright yellows in the finish. The modern ones are mostly brown and orange with just a bit of a yellow shade.

The new tort guards are brown and ugly to me unlike the vintage ones that were burgundy with specks if yellow and orange.

Look for yourself...

First pic is a Vintage 61 Jazz Bass. Look at the color difference between the modern Jazz in both the finish and pick-guard.

Here's my Custom build Jazz Bass with an aftermarket pickguard that I think not only looks great, but fits perfectly better than the genuine Fender did!

 

[AlanT1959]

I have had many bass guitars (and still do) but never owned a sunburst..until this past week..when I picked up a new Fender American Pro 2. Not only does it sound and feel great but I am in love with the SB finish, even the tort pickguard..but then again I am 63

 

[BassAndCigars]

But, the modern Sunburst/tort isn't at all what it used to be.

The new Sunburst doesn't have the bright yellows in the finish. The modern ones are mostly brown and orange with just a bit of a yellow shade.

The new tort guards are brown and ugly to me unlike the vintage ones that were burgundy with specks if yellow and orange.

Look for yourself...

First pic is a Vintage 61 Jazz Bass. Look at the color difference between the modern Jazz in both the finish and pick-guard.

View attachment 5063661


View attachment 5063669

I like them both. I might even like the newer pic a bit better.

 

[Killing Floor]

Reminds me of stringed instruments.

 

[Pings Bass]

It predates fender. I've got a 38 Kay upright with a little bit of burst, and an old harmony arch top acoustic with a nice two-color burst.

If you don't like traditionalist instruments with traditionalist finishes, you've chosen a great time to be alive. Look around.

 

[ebo]

I have an 80’s Sunburst Stratocaster that I’ve had since the 80’s. I didn’t like the finish then and still don’t like it. I’ve never owned a sunburst bass and never will. Holds zero attraction to me. I’m just not much of a conformist. I prefer driving on the road less travelled.

 

[Diminishedfilth]

When I was in my 30’s, I legit laughed out loud when somebody called it old-man burst. 15 years later, I’m an old man and I’m own a ‘burst Precision.
Took me all those years to shed my prejudice, as my first bass was a horrible shortsickle knock-off P with a Sunburst finish that went from black, immediately fading into mustard yellow.

 

[KidAmnesia]

It's a good question. Regardles if you like it or not, the fact is that until '54, almost all Fenders were blondes; then the strat came along and for some reason the burst inmediatelly became the standard even in spite of being a more labor consumig finish than a plain color. There must have been a very good reason behind that choice.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I never was a burst guy, but now I am. I was never a boomer either and now I am still not a boomer.

 

[jdjk7]

I was looking at Fenders today and it dawned on me that it was sort of odd that their default colour, so to speak, is sunburst. Does anyone know how it became their default colour over more conventional colours?

Sunburst is definitely an "old school" sort of color choice. Yeah, they still make them, but when I see a younger person playing a Fender, it seems like they don't tend towards sunburst. Maybe burst of other colors, but not sunburst.

Me personally, I (25 y.o.) like it. My first Precision was a sunburst/white pg, and I just like that combo for some reason.

 

[JIO]

First off, all guitar/bass finishes are subjective for those who like one 'look' or another. There is no 'right'/'correct' or universally 'liked' finish. Many 'looks' (colours/finishes) that people like - I am personally not drawn to visually. So essentially, who cares what anyone thinks if one likes one finish over another - unless you are paying for a bass I will play, your opinion is mute.

Also, way before Leo's "sun-burst", non-electric/acoustic stringed instruments had a version of that look. If anything it was considered "traditional" and I don't doubt that Leo Fender was cognizant of this and wanted his instruments to reflect the history of stringed-instruments. Yes, he pumped the chroma which exaggerated the transitional 'bursts' - but as much as he wanted a "classic' look, he was appealing to a modern player also.

boomer-burst... ignorance of history is neither clever or funny

 

[Stewie]

You asked, so I'll just show you

 

[JIO]

Reminds me of stringed instruments.

bingo

 

[Syd Rayne]

I like to call it Dad Burst. It just speaks of a different time.

And besides.... what kind of sunburst has black edges...? An eclipse maybe?