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In general, walnut as a non-coffew table quality wood that looks amazing. I am quite happy with spruce top on the walnut back and sides of my Martin Keith fretless
....just to be "that guy" who posts the antithesis of the thread......here's the opaque machine I have on order (pic courtesy of the Maruszczyk "configurator"). It'll be my one "not wood" finished bass. I don't drink the same whiskey all the time: variety is my flavour of choice.
I like to see the grain. It just seems more organic than solid paint. I have more sunbursts than anything, but these two alternate for #1 (well, okay. with a 3TSB P5)
We all have our favorite flavors and they all have their own unique sound when you rap your knuckle on wood. That may or may not translate to the overall sound of the bass, IDK. Most wood finishes are just a thin layer of veneer anyway. But they sure look beautiful and makes each instrument unique like a fingerprint.
After living in Hawaii for a few years I saw a lot of Koa wood which grows only in Hawaii. A good piece of Koa will reflect a deep iridescent sheen which can be appreciated better in person than a photo. I almost bought a Koa ukulele just for it's looks. I could learn if I had one.
Here's a good example of Koa that Munjibunja posted a few years ago.
I like to see the grain. It just seems more organic than solid paint. I have more sunbursts than anything, but these two alternate for #1 (well, okay. with a 3TSB P5)
I've always been a huge fan of koa. It is an incredibly beautiful wood that tends to have so many different hues of color. I've seen some pieces exhibiting strong, deep reds and browns. Other pieces that I've seen showcase a beautiful, natural amber color, similar to a jar of honey. The bass below is my personal instrument, with natural lighting. It has a lot of variances in color depending on where you look at it; seems to be more of an amber from my eye.
Some other examples (Not mine):
A couple of other great natural woods would be buckeye burl (ton of variances in color and pattern), maple burl and amboyna burl. Even though it is used often, I also have a very soft spot for quilted maple. I can't explain it, but it is such a 'classic' and elegant looking wood in my opinion. Some pieces tend to look very three-dimensional. Add a birdseye maple fingerboard, and you have yourself a work of art.
