I have a dilemma, a purely cosmetic one at that.
Im torn between putting a pinstripe on the bass(es) im building or not.

The first will be mahogany core with spalted maple front/back and the second will be ash core with sapelle front/back.

This is sort of how the bass will come out (without pinstripe)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/DKOrrGuitars/Spalty%20gat/sg58.jpg

I know, thats a guitar........ but I had spare wood and no guitar.. so I did the logical thing. The maple is from the same piece as that top (the nicer part of the piece)
The top (under see-through paper)
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc198/DKOrrGuitars/bass/basstoptest1.jpg
Should I or should I not put a black pinstripe on the bass?

I like them on certain basses. Thats not to say that I dont like them on others, its just that I think some basses dont need them to look nice. I put 3 on mine.

I love the black contrast pinstripe. Not too many cases I've not seen it look good. I think it'll look good with those woods especially.

Go for it. :)

Nay..

Yes, and preferable it should be of a darker color..say wenge/maple/wenge?
Details, thats what all about :)
BTW
Is that an old Ibanez Roadstar shape?
http://www.ibanezregister.com/images/BASSES/images-rb/rb920/rb920bs-83.jpg

Definetely yes.

I think yes...

for me, adding an accent line totally depends on the wood combination being used

a Walnut accent line was the perfect way to give space between the Spanish Cedar and Mahogany in this body

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/Rodent65/Basses/MiscProjects/SemiHollowP/DaveM_BodySideDetail.jpg

and the Wenge accent line really accented the American Cherry top and back from the Ash core in this body (seen affixed to a thick routing template)

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/Rodent65/Prototype%20Basses/LeftyProto4string/LeftyProto_BodyPerimeterDetailRo-1.jpg


an accent line would have been a total distraction on this body, because the Maple and Alder work so well together

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/Rodent65/Basses/DoubleCutModels/RD06506DS/RD06506DS_FirstTestFitWithNeck.jpg


for the specific wood combination in the OP's situation, I would probably pass on the accent line since you have good contrast between the two woods you're using, and they harmonize well. if it was a Maple sapwood + Walnut body core I might consider an accent line made from Mahogany, Spanish Cedar, or even Padouk

all the best,

R

rodent, how did u finish that black walnut top, and what did u use? i like it very much

that's just sanded raw wood wiped down with Naphtha in that image. the body eventually was finished with a clear gloss Nitro

I debated long on whether to finish that body with a oil finish or to use a spray finish. in the end it came down to how much maintainence the client wanted to put into upkeep - and the Nitro won

all the best,

R

"Is that an old Ibanez Roadstar shape?"

Well spotted! my current bass is an '82 roadster and i love the shape.

that's just sanded raw wood wiped down with Naphtha in that image. the body eventually was finished with a clear gloss Nitro

I debated long on whether to finish that body with a oil finish or to use a spray finish. in the end it came down to how much maintainence the client wanted to put into upkeep - and the Nitro won

all the best,

R

cool. i saw a walnut bass finished with polymerized tung oil filler, than polymerized tung oil. looked pretty nice. currently going over my finish options.

I like the look... I think it adds a nice bit of definition to a good top, if the top and back woods are of similar coloring... I prefer a darker, contrasting color, and if possible, the same wood as neck "pinstriping" laminations.

http://sdbguitars.com/prototype_left.jpg