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What finish really grows on you?


thunderstruck507

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I've always loved cherry or ebony SGs, but the white ones have really come to be among my favs even though I don't own one.

 

On LPs I've been partial to trans amber or faded cherryburst, but every time I see a light honeyburst, iced tea, or faded honeyburst I start GASsing like noone's business even though I normally HATE brown guitars. Something about the lighter shades like those just gets me going.

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I'm really liking the flamed top G-400's in red and blue. I like the flamed top transamber and transblack on the LP's. I really want a white G-400 (not the antique on the Custom which I really, really, don't like). Don't care much for quilts but the new Prophecy's do look much nicer somehow than the Ultra's. Truly love the natural flamed LP's and wish they'ed do that on a G-400 but with chrome hardware. But to date, (crazy as this is gonna sound to some), my favorite is Twisted Pink Burst on the JJ French Elitist. I can't get it outta my head, I just love that thing. While I liked it at one time, (and it is fairly functional), I'm pretty much over the flat black guitar thing. Just too many of 'em from everybody anymore. I've said it before, I'd like to see some colors. Not Dean or Ibanez flourscents, and not Epiphone colors that change, but something with some impact. Think muscle car colors of the late '60's or early '70's. I was really surprised when Epiphone brought out the Chameleons: that look/finish was short lived in the late '80's. I realize that Epi owners like Gibson owners are generally more traditional in their appearance choices: but I also feel that there is a growing demographic of younger players that would respond favorably to something more eye-catchingly different if it were available. I feel that the younger set that know the history enough to gravitate to the classic shapes would still like to see those updated a little, (cosmetically), to differentiate between their "Old Dad's Guitar". This needs to follow current color/graphic treatments in use today from various other sources - and on a "limited" edition basis as a test of course: But some simple, solid, hot, colors would be a safe enough way to try the market. Graphics, stripes, etc. could be implemented later. This to me is way overdue. Another company was using Automotive colors waaaaay back in the '50's and those are still in use and classics even today. There have even been recent posts on this forum from folks hunting Turquoise and Flag Painted Epiphones and these were from obviously not younger players. This doesn't have to be limited to just the guitars either, would it really be so hard to offer some tarted-up amps and cabinets? Retro is cool sure, but some of the most coveted Brit amps have been pretty loud in Tolex as well as volume. All I'm sayin' is it would be nice to have a more attention getting alternative occasionally. I will continue to buy Epiphones if they decide to ship them all in the same color as the UPS truck that they arrive on (Yuk!). I can pretty much bet Krylon stock will soar should that ever happen though. I apoligize for the SoapBox rant but this is a topic I hope somebody up there takes to a board meeting. BTW... if your looking for somebody to help out in product finishing R & D, contact me... I'd love to help.

Wedgie

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I tend to like finishes where you can see the wood grain. Light wood, dark wood, natural wood, stained wood (cherry, blue, etc.), faded or glossy are all fine with me. I don't particularly like the flamed tops and I don't usually like sunburst finishes (although I have seen a few that looked good to me). I prefer the natural beauty of a piece of wood - to each his/her own I guess.

 

I like rosewood/ebony fretboards with pearl inlays (fancier than dots).

 

On the other hand, I seriously though about one of the turquoise Casinos (but changed my mind because I figured it was going to get dinged up and then look ratty), and when I was in a rock band a decade or so ago, the guitarist sanded down his ES 335 and painted it like a 60's Corvette - pin stripes and all - I loved it. And for some reason which I don't understand, I like those weird, brightly painted, Italian guitars of the '60s with more switches and buttons on them than anyone knows what to do with.

 

There is also a difference in what you might personally like, and what is most appropriate.

 

I also believe the kind of music you play and the kind of audience you perform for should play a role in deciding what both you and your equipment should look like. These days I am mostly playing for a middle-aged to adult market doing Yacht Clubs, Country Clubs, private clubhouses, private parties, etc. (the money is good and the gigs usually 3-4 hours). Playing a polka dot, gothic, grunge, graffiti, or "tie died" guitar is not appropriate in places where they wear either a jacket and tie or a tuxedo (depending on the occasion).

 

On the other hand, playing a hollow bodied Gretch rock-a-billy special would not be appropriate for a Metallica tribute band.

 

Also, I feel the guitar should contrast with your on-stage attire. If you wear a black tuxedo, a black guitar will get lost on you. Remember this is show business and many people hear with their eyes.

 

Fortunately for me, the tastes of the places I play coincide with my taste in guitars, so my Natural Casino and my partner's Mahogany Parker PM-10 fit in just fine with our taste, and the audience's.

 

Insights and incites by Notes

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I've always liked a cherry sunburst finish on a Les Paul. However since the flamed finishes have come out, I do like the Honey burst finish on an LP too. I I like a cherry finish on a 335 and heritage cherry on an SG. I like a natural finish and maple neck on a Strat.

 

I do like finishes that allow the natural grain of the wood to show through.

 

On rosewood fingerboards I prefer inlays rather than dots, I just think they tend to give the guitar more class.

 

I prefer chrome/nickel harware over gold.

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On LPs I've been partial to trans amber or faded cherryburst' date=' but every time I see a light honeyburst, iced tea, or faded honeyburst I start GASsing like noone's business even though I normally HATE brown guitars. Something about the lighter shades like those just gets me going.

 

[/quote'] Hey, all y'all .... newb, first post here...gotsta start somewhere, eh ?

This one gets me going =D>/

CIMG1255.jpg

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Sunburst Sunburst Sunburst Sunburst Sunburst

Did i mention Sunburst???

 

VS has my vote!

 

I too have always been partial to natural finishes and HATED white guitars but lately I've been thinking about a white L.P. with chrome hardware.

 

I used to also HATE white until I bought my Epi SG it took a while to grow on me and NOW nothing beats a white SG!!! White and chrome would look sick man! I DO NOT like gold at all on ANY guitar, no offense gold ax lovers =D> ...runs!!!!

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I've always loved Vintage Sunburst.

 

<-- (see over there)

 

And I've always hated all of Gibson's cherry permutations. I know that cherry, heritage cherry, faded cherry, cherry sunburst, etc are essentially synonymous with Gibson, but I've just never seen the appeal.

 

Until I saw this one:

cherry.tiff

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I used to also HATE white until I bought my Epi SG it took a while to grow on me and NOW nothing beats a white SG!!! White and chrome would look sick man! I DO NOT like gold at all on ANY guitar' date=' no offense gold ax lovers =D> ...runs!!!![/quote']

 

Hey Suplex,

 

I'm not much into gold hardware myself but i don't see my Firebird VII with any other color hardware...

 

This is the only one i have with the Gold...

 

946837959207_0_ALB.jpg

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I used to also HATE white until I bought my Epi SG it took a while to grow on me and NOW nothing beats a white SG!!! White and chrome would look sick man! I DO NOT like gold at all on ANY guitar' date=' no offense gold ax lovers =D> ...runs!!!![/quote']

 

Sadly I agree, 3 things that will NEVER grow on me are : gold hardware (ruins any guitar), gold paint or goldtops, and vintage sunbursts

 

Also any kind of bright flake finish like you see on Danelectros all the time...even worse when its on a Gibson anything

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Sadly I agree' date=' 3 things that will NEVER grow on me are : gold hardware (ruins any guitar), gold paint or goldtops, and vintage sunbursts

 

Also any kind of bright flake finish like you see on Danelectros all the time...even worse when its on a Gibson anything[/quote']

 

 

So safe to say that Silverbursts are probably out for you as well?... =D>

 

 

peace

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Trans blue and gold' date=' I can do that;

 

[img']http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/Daneman_photos/sept96protoneproto.jpg[/img]

 

That's a nice Strat you got there Dane, don't see many blue ones out around these parts. I saw a picture of SRV playing this beautiful blueburst Strat once, and looked and looked but found nothing even close to that color, so I settled for a V-Burst pre-fat Floyd Strat MIM that sadly was stolen along with other guitars I had...bastid(s) cleaned me out, took the money the thief didn't touch and bought a blue Fernandes FR55 that was the H/S/S config, great guitar, if memory serves, I traded it for a Kramer ZX30H with passive EMG's, that guitar ripped pretty good too. And Suplex, no offense taken to each their own, I saw that Goldtop and had to have it, was goin' there (G.C.) for a H.C. Burst they said they had, saw the 'Top, the rest is history. I've always lusted after Goldtop Lesters.

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