How did sunburst become the "default" Fender colour?

[Steven Ayres]

The question should be how the burst finish became standard on guitars in general over fifty years before, rather than Fender specifically. The burst finish creates the illusion of modeling on a flattop and accentuates the arch on an archtop. For slab-cut electric guitars this sort of faux modeling makes a big difference in look, and I don't see any mystery as to why Fender picked it up.

 

[ChetChetney]

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.

I stepped out!

 

[Grinderman]

Maybe Leo caught a glimpse of one of his infant Boomer niece's or nephew's soiled diapers in '53 and thought... Eureka! Sunburst!!

 

[gstaats]

Solid colors and bursts with an opaque edge hide a multitude of sins, like plyboard.... Found that out back in the early 90's when some buddies decided to refinish an 80's Squire... Sanded the edge and found plyboard. We were all pretty surprised!

 

[Iridescentone]

and so what do you call this 'look'...

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"Late" boomers splashing more colors around on guitars? Gotta blame somebody for that, right?

 

[JIO]

"Late" boomers splashing more colors around on guitars? Gotta blame somebody for that, right?

No blame, just my opinion which I keep to myself.

 

[elberon]

Jaco seemed to like sunburst finishes on his Fenders. Such a bad look. Wish someone had warned him. Oh Hendrix too, what a shame.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

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?

It's what you get when you can't decide what color you want.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

I made the transition to black, once and possibly still the most popular color.

 

[Killing Floor]

There’s no best color.

Well, ok, Daphne, but still, aside from Daphne there’s no best color.

 

[MegaSwing]

If nobody wanted Sunburst, it wouldn’t be so popular.

Antigua—or as I prefer to call it, Moldburst—is an abomination.

It’s a simple game, really.

 

[CletusMarley]

I'm a fan of sunburst.

 

[GeeBass]

Really surprised this is not more commonly known - and hasn't been mentioned. re: sunburst Fender finishes.

In the 1950's and early 1960's, when rock & roll and solid body guitars were surfacing - hot rods were also a big part of the youth culture.
A popular hot rod look was painting a 'flame look' on the front of the car and hood - which contained the colors red, yellow, and black.

The 3-tone red, yellow, and black sunburst finish associated with the early Fenders was a way for Fender marketing people to appeal to the youth culture, early rock & roll, and hot rod fans.

These was even a California genre of 'hot rod tunes' in the mid-60's (especially The Beach Boys) - which demonstrated the common link between youth, hot rods, and rock & roll.

Sunburst 'flame' finishes appealed to this growing market - and became the standard Fender guitar and bass finish during this period.

 

[Paul New]

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.

I support you 100% in that endeavor.

 

[MegaSwing]

What is cool about Sunburst is that it is infinitely variable, with an organic quality to it. And truly, no two of them are exactly the same.

 

[Ben Clarke]

to all of us (even if not technically boomers) taking offense (myself included), just popping in with a reminder that post-Gen X/Z folks use "boomer" quite liberally and condescendingly. But consider how much crap millennials have taken for no good reason. I can't blame them for giving it back to us. #avocadotoast

I find it interesting that so many here seem to have such strong emotions about the color of other people's basses. Judgement sure is addictive, isn't it?

 

[BazzaBass]

Fades into the background, looks
good on TV, politically correct. What more do you need?

Who? Boomers?

Boomers & TB will disappear together

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Thread Title: "How did sunburst become the "default" Fender colour?"

Oooh! Oooh! Pick me! I know!

Because there's just no accounting for taste!

 

[FearNoEvil65]

If I ever buy another sunburst or cherryburst, I'll get an equally offensive headstock

 

[Paul New]

Fender was trying to market a solid piece of lumber to musicians who were accustomed to instruments that were carved from high grade tone woods. Even the ply basses were finished to minic an old carved bass. So, of course Leo thought they would prefer something that sort of resembled a real instrument.

My first bass was a sunburst jazz, with tort pickguard, and that’s what I mostly have now. It’s not like I care what some kid thinks about it.