Guitar trends?

[RevDrucifer]

I wouldn’t be upset if I never see another poplar burl top again.

 

[rsm]

I think flamed / fancy wood tops have been around for a minute longer than a trend might suggest...

not like today; IIRC, it was PRS that really started it; pre-80s Gibsons with fancy tops were more accident than intentional?

 

[7704A]

I wouldn’t be upset if I never see another poplar burl top again.

I thought those were a 2019 thing.

 

[GOHOINC]

not like today; IIRC, it was PRS that really started it; pre-80s Gibsons with fancy tops were more accident than intentional?

Perhaps, but I'd point to the grail 59s mostly have flame tops. I think the whole of the 1980 heritage series les pauls were flame and quilt top as the first unofficial 59 replicas as well. Perhaps to your point, the purpose of those guitars wasn't to show off the fancy top or they weren't marketed for fancy tops the way manufacturers do today? I might argue that Alembic, PRS and even Suhr have been selling fancy tops and such for a long long time though...

 

[Exo-metal]

7,8,9+ strings
fanned frets
relics
fancy wood tops
fancy inlays
unpainted necks.

what other trends are there I missed?


IMO:
7+ Strings - I have enough of a challenge with 6 strings, don't need more; still doing 4 strings on bass for the same reasons
fanned frets vs standard - on 6 strings, doesn't matter to me; both work fine
relics - not interested; if I buy a new guitar, I want it pristine and virginal. If I buy a used guitar, I want it to have minimal signs of use or abuse. anyone buying a new car that's relic'd for an upcharge?
fancy wood tops - do nothing for me; reminds me of dining room furniture.
fancy inlays - do nothing for me, as long as I have side dots; I'd rather have no fret markers on the fretboard
unpainted necks - i learned on painted / gloss necks, don't mind satin, oiled necks, but given a choice, I'll take gloss painted necks.

One thing you said resonated with me that wood tops look like furniture. I use that metric too. I won't like some finishes if they look too coffee table lol

 

[MadAsAHatter]

I've always liked natural wood over painted. Though I've been a hobbyist woodworker for as long as I could use tools so I appreciate the look of natural wood grain more.

It was trendy for a while... Are scalloped frets still a thing?

 

[Dan Gleesak]

I've always liked natural wood over painted. Though I've been a hobbyist woodworker for as long as I could use tools so I appreciate the look of natural wood grain more.

It was trendy for a while... Are scalloped frets still a thing?

I feel like I only see them on the yngwie Strat and the last few on a Jem

 

[NowYou'rePlayingWithPower]

Evertune Bridges.
Fishmans.
Kahlers seem to be on the uptick, but that could just be my browsing habits.

 

[Unacceptablenorm]

Tan pants and Suhrs are mighty popular among the ninnie crowd.

 

[Metalhex]

Floral patterns. Light pink headless guitars representing the emasculated, feminized male

 

[GOHOINC]

 

[japetus]

I wouldn’t be upset if I never see another poplar burl top again.

Poplar burl with an ocean burst finish

 

[Devin]

Jizz blasted abalonebois was a serious trend for a while

 

[Metalhex]

Ergonomic/oblong shaped bodies

 

[TotallyRadGuitars]

-Roasted maple necks.

-Guitars with traditionally Rosewood boards (Les Paul, Ibanez) using something "unique" like purple heart or granadillo. I understand Rosewood has its own whole set of issues that prompted this so not sure if it's as much of a trend or rather something forced on us.

-Not a modern trend by any means, but sanded down necks. That's more of a modification I guess

-An early 2010's trend, but the abalone binding on every Korean or MIJ instrument was pretty bad. Feels like every nice-playing LTD for a while had this super gaudy abalone strips all around the headstock and neck.

If I never see another one of those beveled tops with the natural edges I'll be happy, and same with those Music Man guitars where the neck is totally unpainted except the headstock is glossed and you can see/feel the tape line behind the nut. Also painted neck through guitars where the back of the neck is bare.
I'm not that old but I far prefer the gloss/lacquer neck finish necks, so anything not finished feels cheap to me.

 

[7704A]

-An early 2010's trend, but the abalone binding on every Korean or MIJ instrument was pretty bad. Feels like every nice-playing LTD for a while had this super gaudy abalone strips all around the headstock and neck.

I think Schecter was an offender too if I recall.