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Posts: 231
| I've never been a big fan of sunburst finishes on acoustic guitars, but i've always preferred it on Ovations. I think they made some of the prettiest i've seen, but never seem to hear any comments about them. What do you guys have to say about them?
Mike |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Collings does them best. Fender does a real nice one on the electrics. |
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July 2002
Posts: 1900
| I have a '78 Country Artist in an early sunburst finish. It's dark and the burst effect gradually fades lighter toward the soundhole. Whoever was working the spray booth back then did an excellent job. This guitar is beautiful compared to some of the burst's I've seen where the fade pattern is abrupt, with very little fade to it. |
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February 2008
Posts: 247
Location: Delaware | Just bought a new USA Legend 1717 with the sunburst finish. Man she looks great. Everyone who's seen it compliments it. (except if I'm holding it HA !) I think sunburst is somewhat unique on acoustic guitars, I like it. |
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Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | When it comes to Sunburst. Ovations rule. |
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Location: Vernon CT | Just found a "76" #1111-1 Balladeer. The guy thought it was a Celebrity???? He asked me for 100.00 I said no case, I'll give you $75.00. Took it home, cleaned it up, polished it and it is one of the most gorgeous sunbursts I have ever seen!!!
I also have a 1778lx Autumn bust. Also, gorgeous!!! |
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November 2003
Posts: 231
| I have a couple of early 80's Legend guitars that have a beautifully done sunburst finish, one of them I bought new. I've owned a few natural top Ovations, but much prefer the bursts. I always thought they did a great job with the old Legend models. I haven't really had any dealings with the othes. My 1978 Anniversary has a solid (Antique Brown) finish, which always looks red to me. |
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Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | I think it's Tup who's always maintained (and I agree with him, but don't tell him that) that Ovation does the best sunburst in the industry..... |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Collings have the best with Ovations a close 2nd.
I prefer the amber burst or tobacco burst versus the traditional sunburst. |
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Location: NJ | I like the ovation cherry sunburst better than gibson's |
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Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | I love the "O" burst. I have on the GC 12 string, the Tornado and the Custom Balladeer that I hope will be on it's way back from the factory soon!
TJim - I really like the burst on the fenders too. |
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November 2003
Posts: 231
| I think the burst looks better on an Ovation than any other acoustic. I once owned a burst Martin, and it just didn't look traditional enough to me. The shape of the O's really lends itself well for the burst top. Kindly like the twelve fret dreads always looked better with the burst top than the standard models, IMO. May'be it's because this was the first Ovation that I owned, but I am partial to the sunburst tops. |
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Posts: 37
Location: Detroit Mi | The sunburst on Ovations is so wonderfully vivid and deep - it is as if they they spray them all with the essence of an early morning New England autumn. |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I had a long talk with Collings about their sunbursts (which I think are the best in the business). They actually do 6 different ones. Three of them are all called "sunburst" but the modify them slightly depending on the back/side wood of the guitar - Mahogany, rosewood and koa. Each back is a slightly different shade of wood, so each gets it's own special "sunburst" top. The other three are also called "sunburst", confusing huh? They all look the same on the "inside", but the outer edge is different. One is opaque back outer ring, the other transparent dark brown, and the third is almost orangeish on the outside which sounds disgusting but is absolutely beautiful.
My CW-28 is the best looking burst I have ever owned (or seen). On the other hand Martins sunbursts just plain suck, although the recent Richie Samboras look nice. Once you get past Collings, I agree Ovation does a very nice job. Seeing how the guy does it, it's amazing that it's as repeatable as it is.
The recent Takamines are also really nice. They had a matched set of 6- and 12-string bursts at NAMM which were among the prettiest guitars at the show. They also have a new "violinburst" on a satin finish guitar that is really pretty.
Dave |
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| 
Here's one of a 1617-5 that I just purchased. |
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Location: Nashville TN. | I would love Sunburst Custom Legend 12 |
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Location: Tuscany, Italy | Roundback, is your guitar the 1617 5 special, listed on ebay some days ago ?
Very nice guitar indeed. Congrats.
R. |
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Posts: 231
| Yes, thats the one. Sure does look nice. Hope it is O.K. when it arrives. I'm a little nervous right now. It will be here Monday. Here's a couple more shots of the guitar.
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November 2003
Posts: 231
| I always heard that Gibson had the nicesest sunburst, but i've never been a big Gibson fan, and never owned one. I have seen some beautiful bursts on their guitars, though. |
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Posts: 37
Location: Detroit Mi | Very nice 1617 there, Roundback - it looks like you got yourself a caramel candy gem.
Gibson always did have great sunbursts... Eg., Here (below) is a 1936 Gibson L10 - I think it is a very lovely burst indeed - but here also is the Balladeer I just snagged on eBay. (I just HAD to have it, and in no small way the reason was the burst (scratches and all).)
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Sunbursts/1936L...
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Sunbursts/1973B... |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Sweet grab, Roundback, congratulations. I, too, think Ovation sunbursts are among the best in the industry. As you can see from my sig, 3 of my O's are sunbursts, each one different. That's a very pretty one you got. |
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November 2003
Posts: 231
| Thanks auchencrow. I have another straight acoustic Legend with a very similiar burst. Seems like there was a lot of variation in the Ovation bursts over the years. I think they are the best. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Dave, would your CW-28 be considered the "orange" burst? Absolutely gorgeous. |
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January 2002
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Why does that guitar have a special lable? What is special about it?
Over the years there have been some real nice sunbursts and really bad ones too. The 1537 were some of the nicest. |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
Why does that guitar have a special lable? What is special about it? Beal, we were all kinda hoping you might be able to shed some light on that! ;) |
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Ovation Sunburst Finishes
