Bursting out at the seams

[Guildedagain]

What is it about a Burst? I like them and more than a few have found me over the years. Was able to put together a group shot of old American Burst when left alone for a few days, otherwise it's not that wise to get this many guitars out at the same time, especially when that's only half of them, because the others aren't Sunbursts.

 

[lungimsam]

A few years ago I decided to only buy guitars and basses from now on that show wood grain - no solid colors anymore. So I have bursts and transluscent finishes on my latest now.
I really like when they also burst the sides, back, and neck, and headstock edges on a guitar, too!!! Looks so nice to see the burst while playing.

 

[Brucebubs]

Just theses 2 non-Guilds.

 

[Guildedagain]

What's the sticker on the rick?

 

[HeyMikey]

What is it about a Burst? I like them and more than a few have found me over the years. Was able to put together a group shot of old American Burst when left alone for a few days, otherwise it's not that wise to get this many guitars out at the same time, especially when that's only half of them, because the others aren't Sunbursts.

Wow! That is beautiful. Such variety of colors. I love a great natural top when the grain is nice but there is definitely something about a nice burst. And Guild has some nice bursts. Variety is the slice of life.

 

[Brucebubs]

What's the sticker on the rick?

This one.

 

[lungimsam]

Here’s what they look like with no pick guard.

 

[Cougar]

Man, I love that reddish burst Guild in the center!

It's all bursts for me....

JF30-12

Gibson Songwriter 12

F512

F50R

 

[Brad Little]

My only burst at the moment, '79 D55:

 

[spoox]

Wow...a Supro "Super" short scale with twin pickups!

 

[lungimsam]

Wonder how long it takes to get good at doing burst paint jobs.
And, I wonder what they do when you mess it up during your first ones before you get good at it.
I notice alot of the electric NS bursts are tear drop shaped and don't go up into the double cuts.
I like the bursts following all the edges like these ones you all have pictured above. But at least Guild is bursting the sides and necks, which is very nice on electrics.

 

[fronobulax]

Wonder how long it takes to get good at doing burst paint jobs.
And, I wonder what they do when you mess it up during your first ones before you get good at it.

I seem to recall being told it was a mixture of practice, training and the ability to remember and follow instructions. Not sure how to relate that to time or even how may bursts were attempted until the results were commercially viable. The same conversation noted that not everyone could spray a burst well and factory management knew that and made finishing assignments accordingly.

When the Newark Street line was new the factory's first attempt at spraying bursts did not go well at all. The instruments were refinished in black and/or gold and sold as "special" color.

I don't think there is a consistent answer to what happens to "bad" bursts. Refinishing, destroying, selling as a second and pretending there is nothing wrong and selling it as a first have all been reported.

 

[lungimsam]

Refinishing seems like the best economical solution.
IIRC, Fender used to refin bursts as revealed by wear on some vintage models I have heard of. So maybe someone's FMgroup era NS Guild solid color electric will show a cool surprise in the years to come after the paint is worn?
I used to have a Fender Lead III that was slightly transluscent red and there was a wood knot about the size of a baseball just above the pickguard that appeared darker than the rest of the face. I was 14 and it was my first electric guitar so I didn't know any better. Would make it easy to spot in the future if I ever searched for it on the market.

 

[dreadnut]

My favorite Guild 'burst:

 

[GAD]

Refinishing seems like the best economical solution.
IIRC, Fender used to refin bursts as revealed by wear on some vintage models I have heard of. So maybe someone's FMgroup era NS Guild solid color electric will show a cool surprise in the years to come after the paint is worn?
I used to have a Fender Lead III that was slightly transluscent red and there was a wood knot about the size of a baseball just above the pickguard that appeared darker than the rest of the face. I was 14 and it was my first electric guitar so I didn't know any better. Would make it easy to spot in the future if I ever searched for it on the market.

yeah but those old Fenders were probably lacquer.

 

[spoox]

My Dobro uke, made by John Dopyera's apprentice in '72. The wood is the same as the Tamo (Japanese Ash) paneling used on the walls of the Fiddle Fret Shop. It has a National uke coverplate, and Dobro spider, cone, and screens from John's part bin. I had to pay $90 for this custom instrument!