I *HATE* The Sunburst Finish.....

I have a few sunburst guitars. (go figure). I never gave it any thought. Black is my least favorite. I have some of those too.

Back in the early 90s I built a guitar (electric) for a "friend of a friend"..... it turned out pretty nice and had great sound and all that.  But the body blank was a beautiful figured "Bird's-eye" Maple and looked outstanding until.... the owner chose this transparent stain, that can only be described as Salmon Pink. He absolutely loved the finished guitar, but I didn't EVEN take a photo of it for my scrap-book as it was (to my eyes) disgusting and "should" have been left natural so the character of the wood could speak for itself.  I wound up turning away several more chances to build for that same client for fear that I might become associated with the product and lose credibility as a quality restorer and woodworker.
Not that any of my Fine Furniture Making associates would hold it against me..... much!

Now for the disclaimer:  It's just a hobby for me, and not something I do/did for an occupation, but can if needs be and time permits.

Love natural wood matte sunburst finishes, particularly when they are well done and let the grain pop a bit.

I also like the "Butcher Block" natural finish. Just something "clean and pristine" about it. "It's a clean machine", in other words. Eric Clapton's original was a Sunburst, IIRC. Complete with cigarette burns and scratches. And guess what? Someone just had to issue a "commemorative" model to look exactly like that. WHY?????

Bill

My first guitar was a sunburst. I walked into the store and it immediately caught my eye. I knew nothing about guitars at the time but this Epiphone sunburst practically jumped off the wall into my hands. I bought it just for the color. My second one was the Alvarez 12 string; all natural. Looking at them side by side I decided that I preferred the natural color of the wood.  I wouldn't buy another painted guitar.

I had not really thought about it till you brought it up and had to think on it for a few days, LOL  As I reviewed my guitars in the house I realized we have a tobacco burst AXL Strat, an Xaviere orange burst acoustic single cutaway,  The TAK  is sort of a tobacco burst also, and we have a orangeish burst Bass.  SOOOO I guess we like burst! LOLOLOL

My favorite is a Less Paul style with the redburst, or any that replicate any of ACE's guitars. (Maybe the Xaviere honey burst flamed maple XV555   )