To pinstripe... or not to pinstripe.....

[darren orr]

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)


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)

Should I or should I not put a black pinstripe on the bass?

[allenhumble]

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.

[incognito89x]

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.

[Linkert]

Nay..

[waseok]

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?

[eleonn]

Definetely yes.

[Worshiper]

I think yes...

[Rodent]

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



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)




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




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

[jordan_frerichs]

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

[Rodent]

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

[darren orr]

"Is that an old Ibanez Roadstar shape?"

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

[jordan_frerichs]

Originally Posted by Rodent

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.

[SDB Guitars]

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.