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Natural vs Tinted? Which finish do you gravitate toward?

Clear vs Color

  • Au Naturel

    Votes: 62 41.1%

  • Transparent Color

    Votes: 59 39.1%

  • Solid Color

    Votes: 30 19.9%
  • Total voters
    151
kjpollo

kjpollo

Mar 17, 2008
3,456
87
CT
#1
I'm curious, what type of finish do you find you end up with on most of your basses: au naturel, solid color or see-through color?

I was thinking about my old basses and the majority of them were natural or a transparent color.
I think I've owned 13 instruments over the years and IIRC, there were 6 naturals (including all 3 that I own currently), 4 transparent colors and 3 solids.
 
#3
I'd say that transparent colors can be cool if the wood grain is nice.

currently, of my basses and guitars, I have 5 "natural", one transparent (blue quilt), two solid color, and one sunburst (that would be both solid and transparent, eh?)
 
#9
not surprisingly, my preferences run counter to the majority. I prefer solid color>opaque color>natural

In fact, I've never owned a "natural" wood bass and don't consider them for that reason. definitely not a fan of "coffee table top" basses either. just my .02 IMHO YMMV etc.
 
#12
watspan said:
not surprisingly, my preferences run counter to the majority. I prefer solid color>opaque color>natural

In fact, I've never owned a "natural" wood bass and don't consider them for that reason. definitely not a fan of "coffee table top" basses either. just my .02 IMHO YMMV etc.
Click to expand...

+1

As my sig notes, I'm a fan of flashy basses. Unusual colors, sparkly finishes. Most people would probably call me tacky. Someday I vow to own a surf green bass with a pearloid pickguard.
 
#13
Gubna said:
I'd say that transparent colors can be cool if the wood grain is nice.

currently, of my basses and guitars, I have 5 "natural", one transparent (blue quilt), two solid color, and one sunburst (that would be both solid and transparent, eh?)
Click to expand...

Whoa, I noticed I omitted 1 bass from my inventory. I've actually had 4 opaques, not 3. I somehow managed to forget about the wildest finished bass I've ever owned-a "Firecrackle" Charvel that I owned around 1989-1991.


Gubna, IMHO, when I think burst of any sort, I think transparent first because you can normally see the grain in the surface of the body. You only lose the grain if and when the finish goes black. On a Cherry Sunburst, there's no black edge and you see the grain all the way 'round.

My tastes have definitely changed over the years. 2 of the first 3 basses I ever owned were solid colors (both black) and only 2 of the last 11 were opaque. (Cant really call the firecrackle one "solid").

As I get older, I've developed more of an affection for "coffee table" looking basses. I enjoy a really pleasing grain much more than a flashy finish.
Of course, I wouldn't mind a quilted maple top with a really deep, clear emerald green or sapphire blue finish
...mmmmmmmmmmmmm :)
 

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