What are considered Clownbursts?

[MrCrowley]

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? View attachment 567154View attachment 567154

Would it make you lose interest if we all considered this a Clownbusrt?

 

[msalama]

Just an aside, but IIRC, Fender's early 80s International color chart had a darkish/brownish 2-tone option that looked like crapburst.

 

[Musha Ring]

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

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I have always had a thing for vintage clownburst offsets!

 

[TheWelder]

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.

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

Heritage Cherry Burst is a great finish, as is Bourbon. I've got a Dark Cherry which is kind of between those two I suppose.

Screw what anyone else thinks, play what you like. Some guys like green and blue Les Pauls. I'm not a fan personally, but to each his own. There's a finish (or five) out there for everyone.

 

[edro]

Screw what anyone else thinks, play what you like. Some guys like green and blue Les Pauls. I'm not a fan personally, but to each his own. There's a finish (or five)

Bingo... Way back in the club glory days, I might play one of my old ass Lesters on night and the next night, my old Ibanez Blazer...or a 'whatever'.... I'd just grab one and go....

Play what makes you moist.... If I were gigging guitar or bass at the moment, I'd still play what I wanted... If anybody said anything, I'd play one of my Squiers every night...and probably borrow my tech's old ugly ass Teisco (ungodly playing and sounding guitar) just to shake they ass up....

I'll care what others think about my gear just about the same time they start buying my gear for me...

 

[dro]

Being a life long auto painter. It surprises me that allot of these guitars made it out of the factory.
Obviously painted by inexperienced techs.
If it were blemishes in the wood they would have just been painted a solid color. Black, or Goldtop Special run of White.
Special run......that's funny. Special run means. Oh Shit !!! How are we gonna sell THAT ?

 

[Christosterone]

I love clown bursts…
and rim bursts are my all time fave(not counting goldtops)

-chris

 

[edro]

I have drooled over Barry Bailey's Goldie.... Honest wear from playing hell out'n it.... Greened out, finish missing... Love that guitar... Willie's book is great too!

 

[cybermgk]

 

[Wrench66]

Just buy and play what you like. Why care about what random internet people think?

 

[gmann1956]

Nah, I just was wondering about it, having never heard that before. I thought it was kind of comical. I actually like the color HCB, takes me back to the 70's, where I've seen many.

 

[integra evan]

My 50s standard has a little clownburst going on.

 

[Wuuthrad]

Just buy and play what you like. Why care about what random internet people think?

Well a guitar forum is hardly “random!” Discussion can be fun and enjoyable, you know- “variety is the spice” and all that...

But I don’t really like “Ronald McDonald” looking guitars, and the more I see and hear about them, I become more and more entrenched! Lol

It’s like Ketchup and Mustard on a white bun hot dog- eww! At least hide it in a pretzel bun w/ some relish, jalapeños, tomatoes and pickles on top of the catsup and mustard!

 

[InTheEvening]

OP whatever anyone calls it, I think that burst looks gorgeous. Would be a fine choice.

Personally I’m a sucker for darker bourbon or tobacco bursts.

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

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That reminds me of my triburst standard 60’s.

I love clown bursts…
and rim bursts are my all time fave(not counting goldtops)

-chris

That’s when you get a tri-burst. Best of both worlds.

 

[Ermghoti]

Just an aside, but IIRC, Fender's early 80s International color chart had a darkish/brownish 2-tone option that looked like crapburst.

Ah yes, antigua? I call it enemaburst.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

Frank Zappa had one that I wouldn't turn down

 

[jbash]

I had a Bozoburst deluxe back in the 1980s- it was a late 70s model, can't recall the year. At the time it bugged me.

Now, In my old age, I find it a fun quirk of the time period- if the guitar plays and sounds great, sign me up.

 

[msalama]

I call it enemaburst.

Yeah, that's the one! What the HELL were they thinking

 

[01GT Eibach]

I would love to have a clownburst 70s/80s Standard or (better yet) Custom. I am just surprised that the OP was steered away from what is clearly such a beautiful, classic-looking Les Paul. You will never get everyone to agree on any on thing, so always just get what YOU want. Plain tops or flame tops? Ceramic 496R/500T pickups - yea or nay? Pickguards or no pickguards? The disagreements are endless.

 

[TheWelder]

My 50s standard has a little clownburst going on.

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One man's clownburst is another man's killer axe. Beautiful guitar.