Color of sunburst question

[bbradleynyc]

I have been seeking a late '50s m65 freshman for some time and I have seen and played quite a few.
I have noticed a big difference in the color of the sunburst finish of these vintage guild guitars. There seem to be two types: those that have a yellowish light area in the center moving to brown on the outter finish and those that have a Carmel/reddish color in the center moving to dark brown.
Does anyone know if these were two distinct finishes available or perhaps how the woods have aged?

Thanks in advance for any info you can offer.

 

[Sleeko]

Sounds like one for Hans. I DO love a nice sunburst though no matter how you slice it. :adoration:

 

[davismanLV]

In current day terminology, Antique Burst (the darker one) vs. Iced Tea Burst. I'm sure back in the day they had different names or designations, yes?

 

[jcwu]

I was schooled in Gibson-speak so I called the more yellow one tobacco burst, which is not quite the reddish sunburst nor the lighter ice tea burst.

 

[bbradleynyc]

This is what I suspected that there were two distinct burst color options. The question for Hans is were there two C&W lin r options available in sunburst, or did the colors fade or change over time? I really appreciate everyone's replies and will try to post photos of the guitar finishes I have seen!

 

[Christopher Cozad]

...I DO love a nice sunburst though no matter how you slice it. :adoration:

Ooo...ahhh...wow!

That is a nicely sprayed sunburst.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

This is what I suspected that there were two distinct burst color options. The question for Hans is were there two C&W lin r options available in sunburst, or did the colors fade or change over time? I really appreciate everyone's replies and will try to post photos of the guitar finishes I have seen!

I have no knowledge regarding the specifics of when, or on which instruments, a particular "sunburst package" would have been applied. There is a commonly held understanding that different color schemes accompanied different packages which were applied to different batches of instruments, and this alone may account for the differences you are encountering.

What I can add is that a sunburst finish applied by hand does not give itself easily to a confined definition, producing guaranteed consistency. A hand-applied sunburst finish is, by nature, significantly independent. There can be (and there is) tremendous variance in the color, hue and "spread" of the sunburst. Applying a sunburst finish is no small feat and, if you are aware of the factors involved, it certainly eases the effort in understanding how hand-applied sunburst finishes can end up with such drastically different results.

Aging (of the wood or the lacquer) will have little affect but to further "yellow" the overall appearance.

 

[davismanLV]

Applying a sunburst finish is no small feat and, if you are aware of the factors involved, it certainly eases the effort in understanding how hand-applied sunburst finishes can end up with such drastically different results.

Thanks, brother Christopher for that!! Watching someone do a burst spray job is.... awe inspiring! I was never a fan of "Sunburst" finishes. They looked silly and cowboyish and dumb to me. For years. Just goes to show you how things can change. Now, a GOOD burst draws me like a moth to a flame. Especially a dark one like Sleeko posted. By the same token, I used to love Florentine cutaways. I thought they were the best. Now, they look to harsh and .... I love the Venetian cutaways. Tastes do change over time. At least, with me they do. However, I don't like the lighter "Iced Tea Burst" or any variation of that. Just doesn't float my boat. Individual taste is a funny thing. :encouragement:

 

[Sleeko]

...I DO love a nice sunburst though no matter how you slice it. :adoration:

Ooo...ahhh...wow!

That is a nicely sprayed sunburst.

Thanks Christopher, greetings from the coast. That burst was what caught my eye initially. Then I played it and found that the Guild was unlike any of my other guitars. In a GOOD way of course. And that was that! LoL

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Thanks Christopher, greetings from the coast. That burst was what caught my eye initially. Then I played it and found that the Guild was unlike any of my other guitars. In a GOOD way of course. And that was that! LoL

Howdy from 3 1/2 hours inland! She's a beauty, for sure. Glad you shared the photo. I would love to see that guitar in the sunlight, but that might be kind of tough considering where you are. How does it look in the rain? LOL (Just teasing.)

 

[Sleeko]

. . . especially now (tropical storm Ana). LoL

 

[guildman63]

Here are the two most recent Guild bursts...





One from 1956...



1966...



and my favorite from 1984...

 

[jcwu]

One from 1956...

I very much enjoy and love these yellow/brown bursts, seems like it was more common in the '50s era? Something about it just tugs at my soul. My first Guild electric, the CE100D, also had this same kind of burst, and when I saw the pictures, I was hooked. I remember looking at the Craigslist ad again and again, trying to convince myself I don't need the guitar... I just could not say no.