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Brock Burst vs. Bourbon Burst ??

Omega

Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
319
I thought Bourbon Burst was the new name for Brock Burst, that name being discontinued due to a potential lawsuit or something from the original guy named Brock.

However, in recent years I've been seeing new from Gibson R series guitars with the official color as Brock Burst. Sometimes, the same vendor (like Music Zoo) will have BOTH Brock and Bourbon Burst colors.

Obviously Gibson is making a distinction in the finish name when they identify the guitar.

So I ask the experts: what characteristics does the color Brock Burst have, what characteristics does the color Bourbon Burst have, and where does one end and the other begin?

Of course, if you've got one of these, by all means, let's see them (they are my favorite finish.)
 

roadrunner

Active member
Joined
Aug 25, 2001
Messages
6,835
Do a search here, and on Google images. There should be plenty of pictures of the Brock Burst. Pick up a book called, "The Beauty of the Burst", by Yasuhiko Iwanade... there's some nice pics of the guitar in there too.

Mac Yasuda's book, "The Vintage Guitar", has some Brock Burst pics in it as well.

As far as recent Gibson Bourbon Burst/Brock burst stuff... there'll be some folks along shortly with pics of their guitars.
 

Omega

Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
319
I have searched. I'm asking about the difference in the finish names.
 

tdarian

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2008
Messages
3,575
Good question I think, they always look similar to me.
 
Last edited:

tonyj

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2010
Messages
384
Back in the summer of 2010 I ordered a Gibson Custom Shop R9 guitar, based on photographs I had previously been shown, and which were taken during the manufacturing process of this same guitar.

The guitar was known as a 'Brockburst' and was referred to as such during the manufacture, the shipping by Gibson and stated as such on the relevant shipping tags and packages, and by the importing retailer here in Canada; in fact, right up until the subsequent and final acquisition of the guitar by myself. Even the tags applied by the retailer in Canada stated that this guitar was an 'R9 Brockburst'.

The guitar was used (with permission) as a 'prop' for some commercial useage, immediately prior to my taking possesion.

I took final possesion of this guitar in late July-early August 2010. I was the first, and remain the only owner of the guitar.

In October of 2010, in discussions with the Customer Service department of Gibson, I had reason to ask a couple of questions regarding this guitar and another guitar.

I was told and received documentation from Gibson, that my guitar - Serial Number 9 0529 was now a 'Bourbonburst'.

I am sure that the 'Brock' or 'Bourbon' bursts are all great guitars. Mine however was made as, and received as (see shipping tag photo) a 'Brockburst'. So it shall remain in my eyes.

earlyBrockburst2905291.jpg


Brockburst7.jpg


brockburstlabel2.jpg


brockburstlabel1.jpg


GUITARWORKS-SD1538.jpg


GUITARWORKS-SD1543.jpg


Brockburst3.jpg
 

Omega

Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2001
Messages
319
...and a friggin gorgeous guitar it is.

Seems like they are using the terms interchangeably, whenever it is convenient for them. I think.

I wish I knew somebody in the custom shop that would be familiar with this issue and provide a definitive answer.
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,167
Yes, the answer is that they use various terms to describe guitar colors interchangeably. There is no standard definition or nomenclature for their colors. :hank
 

DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,319
I imagine that the reason the color was renamed to Bourbonburst is because Brian Brock could potentially sue Gibson for the use of his name on a guitar that they are manufacturing for profit.
 

MikeSlub

Administrator
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
15,167
I imagine that the reason the color was renamed to Bourbonburst is because Brian Brock could potentially sue Gibson for the use of his name on a guitar that they are manufacturing for profit.

If you do a Google search, there are a lot of things named Brock. I think Brian would have a hard time with a lawsuit. :)
 

Classic71

New member
Joined
Jul 11, 2010
Messages
1,745
The code for the guitar is LPR59BBNH

So that could have been intended to mean "Brock Burst" when it was made, but when the OP put his query to Gibson the employee at the time saw "BB" in the records and thought "Bourbon Burst". Maybe?
 

kingsxman

Member
Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
316
Mines "faded tobacco" and I think it looks very similar to these. To me...faded tobacco doesn't have any red in it. Mine does.

59_4.jpg
 
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