I would go for the 4th, that one is drawing the least attention away from the rest of the bass.
The bass just doesn't need more detail at the headstock.
The bass just doesn't need more detail at the headstock.
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Leafenbacker
- Thread starter mapleglo
- Start date
I like that one too, for that reason. That seems to have a slight majority vote as well.
+1
I wouldn't want to make it too busy and draw attention away from the hella-sexy body
This. It looks great with the little mahogany wings and goes perfectly with the rest of your Ric inspired bass. IMO everything else looks wrong with that iconic headstock shape. Why wouldn't you have a Ric inspired truss rod cover on a Ric inspired headstock on a Ric inspired bass?
Some more options for the truss rod cover. None of them have the oil finish yet, and the last two are actually the same cover, just reversed - maple on one side and mahogany on the other. I have a bevel router bit, but it's a pattern bit, so I'll have to make some kind of jig to bevel the sides to leave a thin edge strip of either maple on mahogany or mahogany on maple.
At this point, I kinda like the the first one - the Ric swoop with the maple center and mahogany wings.
I agree.
Edited to add: That finish looks fantastic! It is even nicer than I had imagined. You have a rare beauty on your hands here!
Thanks again for all the interest and comments.
It starting to look like I should
Though if I made another one, I don't know that I'd go with the tremolo. When I had it all strung up, it seemed to take away from the sustain and impact that my previous build had. I'll wait until I have it back together and playing before I form an opinion though.
Thank you, yes, the finish really makes it pop, I think. Better than I had imagined as well. I'm starting to get sold on this tung oil. It's easy to apply, dries quickly, and really sets off the wood and grain. I guess the trade off is durability, but time will tell.
This.
People seem to be pretty polarized on the topic. Better make two Leafenbackers
It starting to look like I should
Though if I made another one, I don't know that I'd go with the tremolo. When I had it all strung up, it seemed to take away from the sustain and impact that my previous build had. I'll wait until I have it back together and playing before I form an opinion though.
Thank you, yes, the finish really makes it pop, I think. Better than I had imagined as well. I'm starting to get sold on this tung oil. It's easy to apply, dries quickly, and really sets off the wood and grain. I guess the trade off is durability, but time will tell.
OK, the top contenders all have their first coat of tung oil. I may not be able to use the leaf, as in some places it's pretty thick, and may interfere with the string path. I sanded it down as far as I was comfortable, though because of the carving, it's pretty thin in some places. I'll have to put it in place once the strings are on, and see.
OK, the top contenders all have their first coat of tung oil. I may not be able to use the leaf, as in some places it's pretty thick, and may interfere with the string path. I sanded it down as far as I was comfortable, though because of the carving, it's pretty thin in some places. I'll have to put it in place once the strings are on, and see.
They all look good in their own right. I was going to mention waiting till you installed the tuners and strings before making a final decision, not only for fitment issues, but I also think it will affect the way the end product will look.
Another vote for the first one as well. Although, as it's pretty much the one I picked previously, no surprise really.
The wood combo nicely echoes the over all look, and the shape says "Ric" without saying it literally.
That said, I think leaving it as pictured, and not putting any logo or writing on it, is your best option.
It would minimize clutter/distraction at the peghead, and direct attention to the whole of the bass you have built.
Looks even better with finish.
The wood combo nicely echoes the over all look, and the shape says "Ric" without saying it literally.
That said, I think leaving it as pictured, and not putting any logo or writing on it, is your best option.
It would minimize clutter/distraction at the peghead, and direct attention to the whole of the bass you have built.
Looks even better with finish.
Is #2 a tongue depressor with mahogany edges? Looks nice, how it mirrors the headstock wood pattern.
Yeah, I guess I have to vote for #1 or #2 (mahogany edges) and I agree that it might be smart to wait until it's fully strung up to finalize the decision.
Yeah, I guess I have to vote for #1 or #2 (mahogany edges) and I agree that it might be smart to wait until it's fully strung up to finalize the decision.
I think #4 looks best. #1 looks like it goes on a bad Chinese copy, which this most certainly is not, and #2 is just too much on the oak leaf theme.
Ric5
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OK, the top contenders all have their first coat of tung oil. I may not be able to use the leaf, as in some places it's pretty thick, and may interfere with the string path. I sanded it down as far as I was comfortable, though because of the carving, it's pretty thin in some places. I'll have to put it in place once the strings are on, and see.
Shark fin, tomb stone and a buried surf-board - can't really judge standing on their own and frankly on the bass none of them did much for me. I'm going "out on a limb" to say out of those choices I like the leaf best…
It's pretty funny all this fuss over the cover - it would be like looking at a beautiful woman and focusing on her fingernails!
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Are we voting? #1 all the way.
What's that? She's gonna pick whatever one she wants regardless? Oh... Well, I still say #1 looks the best...
BTW, in case you weren't aware, the Tung Oil will yellow after a while - about a year or two. Still looks great that way.
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What's that? She's gonna pick whatever one she wants regardless? Oh... Well, I still say #1 looks the best...
BTW, in case you weren't aware, the Tung Oil will yellow after a while - about a year or two. Still looks great that way.
Sent from my asteroid using Awesome
I'm going "out on a limb" to say out of those choices I like the leaf best…
I'd have to agree. The leaf, I feel, is a no-brainer. The fin could be cool but I really don't think the 'tongue depressors' do anything for the bass. One the same shape as the Carvin one made out of maple/mahogany laminate with a 45degree bevel would look really good too I think. Just my 2c
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