The Sunburst Electric Guitar Blog

Sunburst is the name given to describe the incredible color, tone and characteristics to the overall surface finish of the worlds most iconic and instantly recognizable bass, acoustic or electric guitars. 

The sunburst finish is defined as a sudden burst of sunlight, with a pattern or design that has a lighter central area that radiates or projects in the manner of sunbeams, which forms a gradient of color outwards, leaving the darkest area towards the edges. The Sunburst electric guitar has become one of the most iconic, recognized and regarded finishes to guitars in the universe today. Every brand of guitar has their own distinctive sunburst and burst finish. The iconic sunburst finishes that Gibson produces are called heritage ‘Cherry’ and ‘Dark’ burst. These guitars have been used by many guitar legends such as Les Paul, B.B King, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, The Edge. 

Sunburst Fender guitars have their own distinctive golden yellow tone called ‘Tobacco’. These guitars have been popularized by the likes of Buddy Holly, Eric Clapton, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. The Epiphone Casino is a timeless classic hollow-body guitar that provides a contrast to the catalogue of solid body sunburst electric guitars. Forever immortalized by John, Paul and George of The Beatles. 

Rickenbacker calls their semi-acoustic Sunburst electric guitar range ‘Fireglo Red and Amber’. Rickenbacker’s sunburst electric guitars have added to the distinctive image and identity of guitarists such as Pete Townshend, Roger McGuinn, Paul Weller, Johnny Marr, and Jeff Buckley.  

As well as been beautiful in terms of visual characteristics they are reliable in terms of playability and performance. Sunburst guitars are the embodiment of quality craftsmanship. They make a great addition to anyones guitar collection and provide a valuable investment. Sunburst and burst color variants include; Aged Cherry, Antique Tobacco, Fire, Light, Sienna, Blue and Green. This site is a guide and celebration to all the different makes, models and varieties of sunburst electric and acoustic guitars.