Natural Ash basses are boring

[2F/2F]

Definitely not a fan. But if they have a maple fretboard, and a black pickguard, they can look OK. They have grown on me over the years. No dark boards, no white or pearloid plastics, no tort. Just plain light woods with black plastics.

 

[audreycashin]

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#1 player I have

Now I'm gonna have to dig mine out!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Natural Ash basses are boring. Especially with a maple fretboard.
It's like eating unsalted soda crackers. Leaves you wishing there was some flavor to it.
I don't get the allure.

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Well, agreed, the ash bass in the picture is looking rather bland, but I have seen better grain before. Some stains can make the grain pop more.

 

[GrapeBass]

Natural Ash basses are boring. Especially with a maple fretboard.
It's like eating unsalted soda crackers. Leaves you wishing there was some flavor to it.
I don't get the allure.

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Yeah, I know it has a rosewood board but udder than dat she's as Ash as can be.

 

[James Collins]

To quote Woodcraft,
"Stains are made of colored pigments that stick in the grain and pores of the wood surface while dyes consist of microscopic particles that penetrate the wood itself. As a result, dyes and stains produce different effects and affect different wood species in different ways."
I can't say for a certainty, but to my untrained eye that Spector looks dyed not stained.
Not that it really makes a big difference in the context of this thread.

I think you know what a dye is. Your comment just made me think of the problem. Most common situation is when people want to stain a fingerboard, but dye would do what they want better.

 

[dkelley]

Nope. My bass is anything but boring! This thing is a monster, and it looks/feels as incredible as it sounds, imho. This pic does tint it towards yellow/warm colors, it's lighter than this.

Keep in mind that was just when I got it - I have since changed the strings (twice) and cleaned the fretboard/frets and such.

 

[40Hz]

Isn’t there a forum rule about not making negative comments about the appearance of a bass unless you’re the owner of the bass you’re dissing?

 

[BadJazz]

In all seriousness, I do like a nice natural chunk of wood, but with a little flavor, maybe a bit of a dark stain or even roasted body.

How about mine?

 

[Dr Zee]

I have to congratulate the OP for getting so many people to post pics of there wonderful natural wood Basses.
I'll play as well.

Any fashion forward person would know it's a chance to get the proper accessories

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Whether a bass is boring pretty much depends on who’s playing it.

 

[eddododo]

You’re boring

 

[wysiwyg248]

By being boring it helps me concentrate on what I play.

 

[vinlander]

For me Natural grain over any solid color

 

[DrThumpenstein]

The poll results so far are a bit surprising to me.
I can't believe 51 people don't care.

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Ok, I’m changing my vote. As you might guess from my previous response, I voted “Who cares?” because I judge basses primarily by their sound, and their feel in my hands if I can play it. Not that I ignore aesthetics, but that’s secondary to me.

But y’all got some purty axes on this thread. So I’m switching to up with natural baby!

 

[TrevorG]

A natural finish is timeless not boring. The grain tells a story that comes straight out of the earth not a paint pot.

 

[Staccato]

The latest arrival.

 

[RickyRocknRoll]

You mean boring like this:

 

[Cut the middle]

My '72 natural Jazz was so boring (w/ white PG) that I would fall asleep while playing.

I had a fender p: ash/white pick guard. I never appreciated its look and disliked it a lot. Finally sold it back to the guy I bought it from.

 

[B-Mac]

Natural Ash basses are boring. Especially with a maple fretboard.
It's like eating unsalted soda crackers. Leaves you wishing there was some flavor to it.
I don't get the allure.

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Boring?
No, They're elegant in their simplicity. You can't beat wood grain in all its natural glory.
Looks like the vote tally agrees.
My Ash

 

[Koshchei]