Thoughts on Sunburst?

[teleman73]

So there is no doubt that Sunburst finish dominates the mandolin world, I was wondering what you all's opinions are on it. Personally I think that it can look really nice if it is just a dark accent around the edge of the face of the instrument with the rest of it being a nice golden-brown. I see many instruments (even high end ones) that are black (or at least super dark) all the way to the bridge or more with just a hint of gold in the middle. I personally find this as unappealing as really uneven (non-circular) sunburst. I would like to hear you opinions on sunburst, and if your not a fan what is your favorite finish. I really like instruments that are nice amber to dark brown colors.

[Timothy S]

I'm a big fan of sunbursts, though like you, I prefer ones that are subtle accents towards the outside edges or ones that are medium sized. I too don't like the ones with just a small circle of color in the center. Part of the reason is I like to admire the wood on the instrument, and that's hard to do when it's stained black! I personally prefer the deeper reds and ambers versus the brighter yellow colors. There are some awesome natural finished mandolins (color-wise) being made that really show off the beauty of the woods used, like those made by Robb Brophy, among others.

[Marc Berman]

My Smart and my favorite sunburst The edge is a little lighter in person.

[George R. Lane]

I am a big fan of the sunburst.
I think Brett Byers nailed with mine.

[Mike Bunting]

Here's a good one.

[Larry S Sherman]

Nice sunburst in the classifieds:



Larry

[Londy]

I think there are soooo many sunbursts out there, it's getting a little old and common...almost boring.

[fatt-dad]

I like mine!





f-d

[ourgang]

My A-5L. Gibson seems to really have the handle on sunbursts.

[mtucker]

I'm crazy about bursts, can't ever get enough of them. Colling's does some great bursts and fades, probably some of the best going. This is not a Colling's, but I'm partial to it cause its' my kid

[Marty Jacobson]

I hope John H. joins in here.. that would be pretty meta.

[teleman73]

Don't get me wrong, I love a good sunburst, I just feel there may be a lack of inspiration in the mandolin community for anything different.

[mtucker]

Don't get me wrong, I love a good sunburst, I just feel there may be a lack of inspiration in the mandolin community for anything different.

Lots of folks want the American traditional style popularized by the early Gibson's, so builders build what folks want ... those that don't, may leap for these. Non traditional, yet very classy.

[sgarrity]

Why do people want a 'burst Les Paul, butterscotch Tele, 'burst Strat, sunburst mandolin........tradition! Musicians tend to be a pretty traditional bunch, bluegrass pickers especially.

[jim simpson]

Posted once in groupings but seems appropriate for this thread. The Daley has a dark and small sunburst. I wouldn't mind a lighter one but I bought it for it's sound.

[mtucker]

Fades are great also. Slightly off top but this is my Tom Anderson fade, done by Pat Wilkins, and being played by none other than Tom.

[Steve Sorensen]

This is totally 'Burst Baiting . . . and I couldn't resist.

Love seeing them, love doing them, love traditional styles and working on new variations --







Steve

[dcoventry]

I like the brighter part of the burst to fade far out to the edges, and not be such a SPOT. My example of ugly would be The Loar's. I love the mandos, I don't like the looks. It's a smallish spot of bright IMMEDIATELY going dark. There is no subtility.

My Rigel G5 is much more subtle. I like that gradual fade.

But whatever is done is based on the wood in use and how to bring it to life. My real preference is for a blond and non sullied look.

[OldSausage]

I couldn't give a monkey's.

[Ivan Kelsall]

I like sunburst finishes,but i also like non bursts such as a 'blonde' finish or a very light sunburst.This is my Weber "Fern",same maker as George Lane's mandolin,but a much darker & smaller burst - maybe no 2 Webers are alike in this. It sounds great,but the darker areas give the impression that the finish is thicker than it actually is.The other pic.(in the case) is my Lebeda "Special" which has a thin varnish finish which allows the grain to show through. I like both,but prefer the lighter Lebeda burst. There's a pic.of a beautiful 'blonde' Collings for comparison,which i find stunning,
Ivan

[billkilpatrick]

I couldn't give a monkey's.

agreed - an off the peg finish meant to suggest maturing and constant use

[Jim Garber]

I like this one... appropriately subtle... even in person.

[Bob Clark]

Hi Folks,

One of the great things about the mandolin family of instruments is that there's something there for all tastes. As for me, bursts just don't do it. I'm sure glad all of you like them though. Just wanted to chime in as an outlier.

Best wishes and happy bursting,
Bob

[Tobin]

I think part of the reason that the sunburst is so popular is because it offers a glimpse of the wood's beauty in the center while really highlighting/accentuating the white binding at the edge, which helps define the shape of the mandolin. That's what I like about it, anyway. I like a nice large golden center, fading out to a medium-dark brown (not black) edge with a crisp-looking binding to show off the points and scroll. The example posted by Mike Bunting in post #5 is just about perfect in my eyes.

Even though I do like the look of the Golden Nugget (and other similar all-blonde) mandolins, they just don't have the classic look of a well-done sunburst.

[Randi Gormley]

I'm not a fan of most bursts but Lauri Girouard's are brilliant; so are some of the other fine luthiers who post on the 'in progress' thread. I think what attracted me to the Eastman MD 305 in the first place was the fact it didn't have a burst, nor a gloss finish, and now I come to think of it, none of my current crop of instruments has a burst.