Do I dare go sunburst?

[PeterTSkelton]

So as seems to be standard, quick and easy availability of pretty much anything from Warmoth has tipped the scales on the "how many guitars do I need" balance.

So far I've got an in-progress refit of an MIM body with a Clapton carve maple neck, which has some noiseless GFS singlecoils and the Clapton electronics en route. This one will stay in standard tuning with the trem blocked and strung up with 9s, possibly 10s if the mood strikes me.

I also have a Padouk neck which is waiting for a satin finish Dakota Red body to show up in the showcase. This will get a two point trem (either a Fender standard or Wilkinson, choice remains unmade), locking tuners and either some hot single coils or a pair of humbuckers and be my Jeff Beck style player.

So I have a pretty big gap in the lineup here. I've always liked having a guitar sitting around tuned half a step down for SRV/Hendrix stuff. This will get some nice low output single coils and be strung up with 12s or 13s, with a vintage trem bridge with a touch of float.

I've always been put off by sunburst finishes, but this may be time to break the seal. I'm pretty tempted by a black-red-yellow burst over a swamp ash body, and then a toss up between maple or rosewood fretboard. Again I've always preferred maple fretboards, but I could see a Clapton carve rosewood board neck on this one.

Someone tell me why this is a good or bad idea!

 

[Cagey]

I think it's a great idea, especially if you're waiting on a Dakota Red body to show up. In my experience, Dakota Red bodies that fit my spec only show up following the purchase of a different body. So, really, you have no choice. If you don't buy a yellow/red/black burst body now, that Padouk neck is going to sit there forever just rotting while you wait in vain for a Dakota Red body to show up. And as we all know, leaving necks to rot is against the law. You're not a law breaker, are you?

 

[Wizard of Wailing]

      I always hated sunburst finishes on strats until I saw them with gold, silver, and cream pickguards.  Now I own one and love it. The pickguard made a huge difference in the appearance. I also got a one piece body so the split isn't visible.

 

[nullref]

I think it's a great idea, especially if you're waiting on a Dakota Red body to show up. In my experience, Dakota Red bodies that fit my spec only show up following the purchase of a different body. So, really, you have no choice. If you don't buy a yellow/red/black burst body now, that Padouk neck is going to sit there forever just rotting while you wait in vain for a Dakota Red body to show up. And as we all know, leaving necks to rot is against the law. You're not a law breaker, are you?

Spare capacitor sitting around the house?  Gotta build something with it.  They have an expiration date as well... :laughing7:

 

[rgand]

I've never been too interested in burst finishes but the Warmoth BRY burst is really nice. Listen to Kevin, you wouldn't want to end up in the stockade or in a damp pit with a grate over it..

 

[arealken]

I dig any Strat Sunburst with an all dark neck, but for some reason cannot tolerate a period incorrect 3 tone burst with an all Maple neck, or a 2 tone burst with a Maple/ Rosewood neck.

 

[stratamania]

Just don't do it.


Extra folks suddenly purchasing Sunburst strat bodies could send the value through the roof and before you know it they will be as rare as hens teeth.

Not really if you want one and can afford it, get one.

 

[PeterTSkelton]

Bah. Someone snagged the neck I had designs on out of the showcase

 

[Cagey]

See? You snooze, you lose. Gotta strike while the iron's hot. Chance favors the prepared. Not to worry. They'll make more. Worst case, you spec it out and pay the 10 points.

 

[ThePhilosopher]

Yes, sunburst is quite stunning when well executed (non-Warmoth, but still the burst you're after)

 

[PeterTSkelton]

I may go all the way and get a chambered body. Waiting on the right neck to show back up in the showcase now, I'm looking out for a screamin deal on a clapton contour, preferably with a rosewood fingerboard or for another boatback carve to show up.

 

[Tipperman]

Sunburst with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard is a great combo, in my opinion. Here's mine for reference, although it isn't a Warmoth Sunburst. Personally I love it, it's a classic look with a mint green pickguard. Then again, I've been known to have odd tastes. Just ask Cagey.  :laughing7:

 

[arealken]

Heres my '57 tribute on schedule for final assembly today. Unless I win the New Jersey State Lottery, which is unlikely especially since I don't even play it, this is about as close as I'm ever gonna come to a real 1957 grail Strat.

Details; Mid 80's Dimarzio body in Poplar I think. Mid 80's non CNC Mighty Mite neck. Callaham Tremolo. Klein Epic '57 pickups w/ 7 way wiring.Wilkinson locking tuners.


I guess this isn't actually what OP is talking about since this is a "tobacco " burst, but I'll use any excuse to show off my stuff :glasses10:

 

[Wizard of Wailing]

      Cool.  I was going to make mine a '57 style, but then Warmoth came out with Brazilian Ebony necks and my sunburst build took a detour.  I don't play the lottery either, but ALL my co-workers do.  Whenever they ask me if I want in, I just quote Creed Bratton: "I already won the lottery.  I was born in the USA."

 

[fdesalvo]

Go forth and burst, young man.

 

[Cagey]

Go forth and burst, young man.

Sounds like a strange and harmful suggestion, like "Go play in traffic"  :laughing7:

 

[PeterTSkelton]

Turns out that I fell afoul of the screamin deals and picked up a roasted swamp ash body, pre drilled for a two point trem so that's swallowed up the sunburst body budget for now. It's still on the list though, probably get a Clapton carve rosewood on maple neck for it and all will be well with the world