3 tone sunburst on modern clones

[dubtrub]

There has been some recent discussion on the Hallmark topic about the sunburst finish. Not to take away form the beautiful Hallmark, but I don't have any problems achieving the three distinct colors as used on the original Mosrite and Fender guitars of the 60s. I mix all three colors using black, yellow and red pigmented toners in clear nitrocellulose lacquer to get the proper translucent colors when I restore a vintage guitar and have no problem spraying the bright yellow to see the wood grain. Even the black when held in a certain light has a translucent effect. This is very evident when examining an original Mosrite such as Adams recently acquired '63. Ed Elliott mixes his colors as well. I think that is the only way to get the proper coloration. The 'tobacco burst' now commonly seen does seem to have become the industries standard for modern sunburst finishes. I refinished both these two guitars.

1966 Mosrite with Basswod body with very little wood grain, yet it is still visable.


1962 Strat with Ash body.

[Veenture]

Those two are looking gorgeous Danny, my compliments for a professional job om 'em.
I don't know much about paint on guitars these days but with modern laws restricting or even forbidding the use of "environmental unfriendly" paints with toxins (like lead) and so on, I'm just wondering how that could play a role in modern day guitar finishes perhaps, with water based paints for instance?
I'm purely guessing now.

[dubtrub]

I'm just wondering how that could play a role in modern day guitar finishes perhaps, with water based paints for instance?
I'm purely guessing now.

Good guess.

California environmental laws have banned the use of nitrocellulose lacquers for commercial use. The only commercial use that I know is in the cabinet making and finishing industry. It can still be purchased in one and five gallon cans in clear only. It is sold in 'home center' stores in the aerosol cans in colors white, black and clear. Home use is not illegal, however it would be risky to try to finish or refinish on a large scale. Isn't it grand that spraying a color coat is environmentally harmful but spraying clear is not. That's absolute BS!

Now with said, that doesn't change the condition of mixing the proper colors in acrylics. It' the exact same process and the toners are compatible with enamels as well. The technique only requires the toners be mixed with a clear base to obtain the desired effect. Also, it'd be my guess that these 59s are built and painted in Korea and modified in the States. Not knowing the Asian laws, that might explain why all the guitars coming from there have the tobacco effect in their colors.

[Veenture]

Very interesting Danny, thanks for sharing your view -and knowledge on this matter
From the sixties and onward I have always favoured the three tone burst which is so admirably represented in the two examples you have refinned. Strangely enough, that 'subdued' two tone sunburst on my '57 AVRI Strat which I bought new three months ago has grown on me -I like it! .......probably goes better with my grey hair

[Strat-o-rama]

The tobacco bursts do look good, but so do the true yellow/red/black burst. I have a '62 AVRI Strat that has turned more tobacco burst with age, and is not as "brilliant" as the Strat in Dubtrub's picture. I'm sure Bob is dealing with an overseas factory that has a painting production process, thus the similarity to many "modern" 3 tone bursts.
I know at one point in the early 60s Fender dyed the body yellow, and shot the other colors on top of that. Starting in '64 they sprayed an undercoat that was white, followed by a yellow and then the red and black. Collector vernacular calls these "faux-burst", because there is no wood grain to see whatsoever. They adapted this process to use unmatched pieces of alder on the bodies, and to automate the process.
BTW, Fender still shoots nitro lacquer in California and to meet EPA standards they built a special room with a waterfall that catches the lacquer dust for air purification.
Dubtrub's bursts look very authentic: A testament to the "hand-made' tradition. Interesting topic, at least to me.

[sleeperNY]

I have gone back and looked at all the Mosrite pictures I have on my computer and all the tri burst models have wood grain showing through. I do believe that any color you want you can get or make. My Parts-Right was painted with acrylic urethane and I had no problems getting the colors I wanted. It came out good but I must confess that I have had a finish problem with it. It was not due to the type of finish but I did have the red start to lift off the yellow in all the carved Aries. I am just finishing it now and will post some new pics as soon as I can. It is finished in lacquer now complete with the burst on the front and back of the headstock. My guess with Hallmark is that they will have to comply with the factory on paint to try to help keep the cost down. If they come out with another $2000.00 plus guitar they will only sell a small hand full up front and then the sales will drop off. Even at the $1500.00 to $1800.00 range it will be to steep for most to buy. I for one thought the color he has posted looks great for that guitar. After all it will never be a true 1959 Mosrite.

Jim

[GattonFan]

If they come out with another $2000.00 plus guitar they will only sell a small hand full up front and then the sales will drop off. Even at the $1500.00 to $1800.00 range it will be to steep for most to buy

+1 on that. You're getting into the range of vintage Mosrites at that price - as much as I like them, it's still a cosmetically altered 60 Custom, with a little different trem, if none of the electronics have changed. Would hope to see the basic model between $1200 - $1400. Of course, I know nothing about the production costs for one of these. Still, I'm trying to get the $$ together - Who knows???

Dennis

[thunderhead]

Thanks dubtrub for the photos. For a Guitar in the $1500.00-$1800.00 price range, a correct 3 color burst is not too much to ask for....... is it???? After all it's just paint, they have to spray something. Might as well be the correct colors and it would absolutely be the icing on the cake for this Instrument. Just my 2 cents worth.

[oipunkguy]

California environmental laws have banned the use of nitrocellulose lacquers for commercial use.

that's odd Danny, seems like California is getting weirder by the day....

how does fender get any with finishing guitars then? they are in corona aren't they?

[dubtrub]

how does fender get any with finishing guitars then? they are in corona aren't they?

They have a special recovery system that an average painter can't afford. It has to be inspected regularly and approved by OSHA.