Sunburst is a type of finish for musical instruments such as electric an acoustic guitars and electric basses. At the center of a sunburst-finished surface is an area of lighter color (often showing the wood grain underneath) that darkens gradually towards the edges before hitting a dark rim. Among the best examples of a sunburst finish are Fender guitars and some Gibson Les Paul guitars. It was originally intended to imitate an aged French polish finish, as applied to classical string instruments such as violins.