Electric Guitar Finishes - Trends
Author: guitartrends // Category: finish trendsIn the 1960’s, Fender Stratocasters were a very popular guitar. Perhaps even more popular than today, given that there are so many more electric guitar brands these days.
It seemed like almost every Strat had a sunburst finish. It was uncommon for a Strat to have a solid color finish. I do remember seeing black Stratocasters in 1970, when Fender reintroduced maple fret boards.
Gibson also used sunburst finishes back then, but also gold, black and mahoghany finishes quite a bit. It was uncommon to see a Gibson with a natural finish.
Today, there are many different finishes available from not just Fendor and Gibson, but all electic guitar manufacturers. Translucent finishes, new green/blue/silver burst finishes are just a couple of examples of how the guitar market has grown.
Why this trend? I mean, a fancy color doesn’t make a guitar play better, and many guitar players don’t play in front of people at all. I suppose the answer is that guitars tend to be expensive, personal choices, and people like to own something special.
So, what is the latest trend? I see more and more guitar manufacturers adding graphics to their guitars. Recent examples include the ESP Clockwork Zombie II models, and Gibson’s Tribal Limited Run Series guitars. Other companies, including Schecter and Fender are offering models with graphics added.
I think the guitar graphics phase is a flash in the pan though. My prediction is that the finishes that show the natural woodgrain will continue to grow in popularity, because the supply of hardwoods on the planet is dwindling.
September 18th, 2009 at 09:32
This is an interesting question.
Actually, Fender’s first instruments were transparent single colors not sunburst. The sunburst finish started around 1954 with the custom colors being introduced a few years later. I think the author needs to do a little more homework, Gibson was making thousands of guitars in natural finishes in the 1950’s.The sunburst was considered “fancy” back then, and it still is today.
Solid color guitars were an attempt to mimic the automotive trends of the 1960s with both Gibson and Fender using General Motors colors for their guitars. The paisley pattern Fender guitars of the 1960s and “racing stripe” graphics were the industry’s first foray into what we now know as custom graphic finishes. In the 1970s Van Halen and Hamer brought more stripes, checkerboard patterns to the market, which led the way to the custom airbrush art guitars of the 1980s. It’s all a matter of trying to catch the eye of the customer with something new or different.
September 18th, 2009 at 09:54
Thanks for your comments Jason! You are right that I was focused on 1960’s and newer guitars. I should create a more complete post on this subject.