Flame / Quilt / Abalone on Guitars

[Katastrophe]

So, what do you think about the abundance of quilt and Flame maple tops, as well as ornate abalone or pearl inlays / binding on guitars?

I think it's purty. But lately, it seems that guitar manufacturers have gone crazy with the stuff. I find myself liking more solid finishes these days, and am starting to prefer a more stripped down look.

So, what do you think? Are guitars becoming too pimpy / flashy? Are we starting to see a return to a more simple look?

What is it that you like MOST in a guitar finish? Least?

Discuss.

[peachhead]

What I like most about a guitar is that it belongs to me. :D

Otherwise, while I like a little flash in a guitar, if I can get the same sound in a more basic model with no flash for less money, that means more to me. I don't have the inventory of a lot of folks here but I'm always looking, and I tend to be more of a value shopper. One example off the top of my head is Epi LPs- the plus top is I believe either 50 or 100 bucks more than the standard. As far as I know you get the same sound either way so if it came down to money, for $100, I'd go the std route...but for $50 I dunno.

[marnold]

My Fender actually has abalone inlays for the only three inlays there are (on the 11th, 12th, and 13th frets). I've seen some acoustics in Premier Guitar that are basically all inlay on the fretboard. I'm impressed by the craftsmanship that it took to do that, but aesthetically it just looks busy and tacky.

My bass has a very thin flame maple veneer that sure looks better than the basswood you see through on the back.

[markb]

No "furniture' guitars in this house ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2546699668_8c5563221e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/3011135233_458824cb07.jpg

The MOTO guard on the strat is about as showy as I'd ever want. I once had an accordion that colour too :)

[hubberjub]

My Modulus is the only guitar I have with a quilted top. All the others are pretty basic. Fancy wood and inlays are not necessary for me but I really dislike opaque finishes. The only painted guitar I have is my 91 Stratocaster. I actually stripped the black finish off my Les Paul. I don't like to hide wood. Wow, that sounds bad.

[oldguy]

Variety is the spice of life, to each his own, yada, yada, yada.............
I can appreciate a vine inlay as much as a simple plain top w/ a tobacco sunburst, or a hot rod flame paint job. If it trips yer trigger and you'll play it, more power to 'ya.:)

[Rocket]

No "furniture' guitars in this house
How about guitar furniture:

http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/gnw/images/other/ConversationCouch.jpghttp://webshop.muziekmeubels.nl/WebRoot/StoreNL/Shops/61551339/Categories/Shoes/Prince.PNG
http://www.ballerhouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/guitar-coffee-table.jpg

[street music]

BLING! BLING! Some of it I really like and wish that I could afford to have a Carvin in that walnut finish with some very nice abalone fret markers. My SX has got beautiful abalone on the neck, I have thought abought putting a fancy pick guard on my Godin but since it never came with one I have not added it yet, my Takamine has some small detail too.
LIke one said, to each their own, there is some very nice finishes out there on these natural wood guitars and some fancy paint too.

[Plank_Spanker]

I like flame finishes and abalone fret markers - as long as they're not too gaudy. I prefer the "understated elegant" look.

[thearabianmage]

I don't mind a nice bit of binding or flame so long as it doesn't pump the price up disproportionately. Otherwise I'll just [badly] carve the vines in myself :D

[Screaming Dave]

Mostly I prefer my guitar's quite plain. It breaks my heart to see young kids spending their hard earned bucks on a first guitar that looks really pretty because of the fancy veneer and abalone, gold hardward and mother of pearl, but then it sounds awful and the trem doesn't work properly because all the money has gone on the finish and none on the hardware.

Having said that, I do own what I believe to be the ultimate bling guitar, which lives on the wall in my home. I'll post a picture of it if I can work out how, but for those of you familiar with them, it's a thing called a Minarik Inferno. Shaped like flames with a quilted maple top and plenty of abalone binding - woo hoo!