What are considered Clownbursts?

[gmann1956]

Looking at buying a Gibson LP Standard, in Heritage Cherry Burst. It's the right weight for me, so I'm thinking about it. Would this be considered considered a Clownburst finish?

 

[KS 5150]

I don't think so, as there is some gradation to the burst. The ones considered clownburst have an abrupt transition between the yellow and red shading:

 

[rockstar232007]

Is that a "clownburst"? Yes, and no.

With clownbursts, there's almost a hard edge between the base (usually yellow), and the burst.

 

[truckermde]

Yeah, that's no clownburst. Nice gradation ob that one...

 

[gmann1956]

Whew! I can't be playin' with no Clowns! Thanks for your replies.

 

[Rocco Crocco]

op guitar not a clown burst. Sometimes cherry sunbursts look clownish in a photo but look great in person.

 

[TheWelder]

To me, clown bursts are like the ones posted in the photo above. Little to no real transition between the cherry and yellow.

Be advised that some people will refer to any HCB as 'clownburst' but they are fools IMO. It's the OG bust finish for Les Pauls. The HCB from Sweetwater that you are considering is fantastic. If you end up pulling the trigger, rock it with pride.

 

[scrumm21]

having bought 2 guitars, new, from sweetwater - I venture to say the pics don't do justice to the guitar. That girl will be true eye porn when you unwrap her !!


(if you pull the trigger)

 

[Gridlock]

 

[Gfunk_Minor]

I never did like clowns.
And the post from KS5150 proves my dislike.....

 

[Peter M]

If you told Frank Zappa he had a clown burst, he'd simply say...

 

[01GT Eibach]

Clown bursts are a thing of the 70s and 80s, aren't they? Maybe into the early '90s? None of the stuff in the last 25 years is a true clown burst like in that Zappa pic I don't think ... (could be wrong, though)

 

[Peter M]

^ I think Fender got the clown burst party rolling in the 60s... but you call those "target burst":

 

[bungle]

My complimentary add is that guitar

 

[jcsk8]

Most are not gorgeous, but not always:

 

[edro]

Some call mine a clownburst... I just call it Bessie.....

 

[kisschicken]

I really wanted that heritage cherry until I learned that people call it Clownburst. Ended up getting bourbon burst. Peer pressure is a powerful thing.

 

[tigerflame]

I really wanted that heritage cherry until I learned that people call it Clownburst. Ended up getting bourbon burst. Peer pressure is a powerful thing.

Ah so you got drunk stepfather burst instead.

 

[kisschicken]

Ah so you got drunk stepfather burst instead.

I know. Didn’t love bourbon either. But it had a scuff mark and came with a significant discount so learning to love it.

 

[tigerflame]

I love the Bourbon Burst myself. I've got Iced Tea but it's a dark one as you can see.