What would you call this finish?

[tom1353]

Hi guys,

So I've had this 2002 les paul for about 6 or 7 years now and from the time I bought it I noted that I hadn't seen quite that colour of "burst" before. I was just curious if anyone could tell me what finish it is exactly....

It looks closest to an ice tea burst or honey burst but I'd say it's a bit more orange-ish.
Almost like a 60s "unburst" but I dont believe they copied that faded look....

Anyway, if I do plan to sell it at some point it would be very handy to know. Hopefully I'm not being daft here. Any info appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[jb_abides]

First, beautiful guitar, so in the end it doesn't matter whatever the formal burst name it!

You're right it could fall either way... likely a 'Premium Plus' or dealer run being Iced Tea rather than Honeyburst because of the more pronounced brown perimeter on the lower bout, but it's border line.

Call Gibson Customer Service with the serial, they might have the finish in the database.

Another way would be to take off the pickups and look in the cavity for initials like HB or IT in marker or pen... that would be more immediate.

 

[tom1353]

Ahh right, I didnt realise there was any info in the pickup cavity! That would probably be the quickest check.
I did look up the serial online but it didn't occur to me that i could ask gibson directly about this.

Thanks a lot for the info, Big help!

 

[1allspub]

Light Burst.

That was the name Gibson used for years for that shade before switching its name to Unburst.

UNLESS… your camera is pulling more red/orange into the pic (as some cameras do) and it’s really more brown. Then it’s just a good old-fashioned Honey Burst. But if you think it resembles the modern Unburst in person, then yeah, it’s a Light Burst.

 

[Cliff Gress]

Looks like a washed cherry.

 

[tom1353]

Light Burst.

That was the name Gibson used for years for that shade before switching its name to Unburst.

UNLESS… your camera is pulling more red/orange into the pic (as some cameras do) and it’s really more brown. Then it’s just a good old-fashioned Honey Burst. But if you think it resembles the modern Unburst in person, then yeah, it’s a Light Burst.

I disnt actually realise there was a modern unburst. Thanks for the info!

 

[1allspub]

I disnt actually realise there was a modern unburst. Thanks for the info!

When I say “modern”, I don’t mean the “Modern Les Paul” line of guitars (ie, as opposed to the Original line) that Gibson currently offers. I meant modern in its usual sense… what they are making today… ie, the 60s Standard in Unburst.

Anyway, the Unburst color found on the 60s Standard nowadays is the same color as Light Burst from several years ago. That’s what I was saying.