Hi again APB: well, I wouldn't have believed it without Mr Szafran's say so. It's the most ashy looking piece of alder I can remember seeing!

Therefore: I'm not going to stick my neck out further and risk an opinion on whether you have a cap on that body - but you can work that out for yourself. Trace a line of grain on the front and see if it continues round into the edge. If so, no cap (in fact, technically what they put on many MIM bodies is a veneer; not a cap, which would imply a thicker piece of wood facing, 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch or more).

Or show us a photo of the back and we'll be able to see for sure. We don't see enough guitar backs round here!

Again, on Sienna I'd be most surprised if it's a veneer, because the darker edges are too transparent on that finish to hide the join. But perhaps I'm going to be surprised twice today!

Cheers - C

To me that body looks like a 1 piece. Very very unusual for the mexico plant to have that high a grade of timber, when the only guitar fender guarantee it on is the EJ.

On the premise that my eyesight hasnt failed me, could that body be a alder but with a fotoflame like finish applied? That would answer a few questions.

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No no and no

Ceri-Thanks for the reply, and no worries. I don't want anyone to stick their necks out or feel uncomfortable about their opinions. I ask simply because I enjoy learning more than I know now (hopefully without wasting anyone's time over simple questions). No offense will be taken by me over any opinions given. I respect and appreciate your advice.

nikininja-Speaking of learning: photoflame finish-I'll have to look that one up.

Again, thanks for all the helpful advice and comments.


Don't see enough guitar backs round here?

Ceri-Just did a little more digging around and it looks like you are absolutely correct. Ash body it is!

After looking at the grain as you suggested everything matched up, so no veneer. Then I searched around in other resources and it turns out they all say the sienna sunbursts have ash bodies (apart from the email I shared with you and a GC online add).

Thanks so much for helping to clarify a misconception I had. Now we all know who to go to for the expert advice!

Hi APB: that's far too flattering, but thank you!

One glance at the back shows us there is no veneer. The grain continues uninterrupted into the belly contour, which it wouldn't if there was a veneer. On most sunburst MIMs they spray that area solidly with the darkest paint in order to cover up where the veneer don't reach.

Also, to politely disagree with Niki, I do see the joins of a three piece body. It's nicely matched grain so it doesn't jump out at you, but it's there. Which again is a sure sign it's not a veneer or a cap.

I think you have a very nice guitar. But then, since I also have a Sienna Sunburst HSS, I would say that, wouldn't I?

Cheers man - C

the thing about the Sienna Sunburst is pics dont do them justis....i also have one 2008 Am. SSS the pics i have taken and sen of them they look ok.....but face to face?...they are a master piece

You guys are making life difficult for me... if they still have that Sienna Sunburst MIM that I've been admiring for awhile, I'm gonna be awfully tempted... the guy at GC gave me a price that matched the current standard, one-color MIMs... I just wish the neck was finished better... that would make it an easy decision...

I agree. I believe it's a 3 piece body too. The "for sure" signs would be on the bottom edge.

It's still very nice! They often do a great job matching things up.

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My other guitar is a Strat.

My old MIA Mustang has a three piece body, and back then they did a great job of matching up the pieces---you can tell more easily on the back, but even on the back one of the lines you really have to look for it. (It's an ash body as well.)

Again--I love that finish!

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

They really do! People sometimes moan about grain matching that's not quite 100 percent - but I just recently tried it myself for the first time, and it's seriously difficult!

I knew in theory that Fender were good at this: now I know in fact!

Cheers - C