Fender 3-color sunbursts - let's see what everyone has.

[Patton]

I was rotating my three guitar stand occupants and randomly pulled out three Fenders (okay, two Fenders and a Squier) that all have the three-color sunburst. It got me searching for these finishes to compare the various styles Fender has shot over the years. Here's my four:

1970-71' Jaguar. Strong yellow center to wide bright red then narrow deep black edge.
1982 USA Bullet. The yellow is darker, the red is more subdued than the Jag and the black looks like very dark brown.
2012 Mustang Special. The Mexican factory really did a nice job on this one. The pic makes it look as though the tummy cut is all black but it's not.
2013 Squier Bass VI. Easily as nice as the Mustang.

The woods are all alder, except the Bass VI which Fender's serial number lookup says is basswood.


Let's see what everyone's three color Fender sunbursts look like!

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

3 tone sunburst is my favorite finish and oddly enough completely absent from my 9 Tele/Strat partscasters. 1 Tele and 1 Strat body were finished in 3TSB when I bought them but didn't think they were well done. I'd like a Strat that has a 59 type opaque sunburst with tighter edges (no clownburst), maple neck (but more girth than real 59s). Actually my 2 TSB Strat has all the qualifications and I've been pondering a refin.

Burst on! I know there are folks who hate sunburst, but I guess that's true of every finish.

This is what appeals to me.

 

[rze99]

2 only.


"Taxman" Tele aka Special Edition Road-worn Hot Rod Telecaster

85 Madein Japan '62 Custom Telecaster

 

[Chiogtr4x]

For Stratocasters, I prefer ( but, don't own) the 2- tone Sunburst w/maple fingerboard.

BUT, I just got this cheapo 'JazzCaster' from Monoprice in January.

 

[Killing Floor]

Parallel Universe Spark-O-Matic.
The mahogany center adds a little red to the midline.

 

[SparkleFart]

Tres amigos.

 

[Patton]

Parallel Universe Spark-O-Matic.
The mahogany center adds a little red to the midline.
View attachment 1218114

I like that a LOT!!

 

[teletimetx]

Squire thinline, photos from seller when new, better photos than mine:

I have since replaced the neck with a neck from a Squier CV 50's, because I could.

 

[bobio]

 

[Telecaster Cafe]

 

[elihu]

2009 Highway One

 

[ScottJPatrick]

My '75 Tele has a 3 colour sunburst but only on the back, the front faded a long time ago!

 

[Bonneville Bruce]

The One Known as Guitar Porn, the Crafted in Japan 12-string Strat. These photos don't do it justice.

 

[tomtama]

Just one....

 

[Monoprice99]

2021 Monoprice Retro Classic for $ 69, last of the thru body builds. The next gen top loaders, the bridge plate has the holes to modify to to string thru. Same serial number alpha as the Harley Benton's.

 

[StoneH]

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

Well dang, I forgot about my bass, lol. Started life as a MiM Jazz, swapped body with a Fender Classic 60s Lacquer Jazz Bass Body from Stratosphere, Duncan Apollo pickups and Gotoh bridge.

 

[RoscoeElegante]

Great thread! Sunbursts look like so many of the chords we play, the tones we chase. I've got several, but the ones already pictured here are at least as beautiful as mine, so I'm just enjoying the ride.

Another thread on other finishes--e.g., tobacco burst, coffee, mocha, nicely aged hot sauce, etc.--would be good, too. I love natural finishes and butterscotch, but reds, coppers, bronzes, siennas, etc., are really apt for guitars. (Not so blues, greens, vivid oranges, metallics, and sparkles, with all due respect. Too plasticky and industrial.)

 

[tonfarbe]

My 1977 Hardtail. The red has completely faded away in the area around the input jack.

 

[tonfarbe]

My 1978 Telecaster has developed more contrast between the colors.