Quilted Maple or Figured Walnut?

[Horny Toad]

Figured I'd throw this out there to see what people think. I'm going to order a Carvin Icon soon, and it's a toss-up between figured walnut and quilted maple for the top wood. Quilted maple would have a clear gloss finish, walnut would be satin matte. Either way, I'm doing a five piece neck, ebony fretboard, abalone blocks, and matching headstock. Also, the top wood will not cover the neck. So based purely on looks, which would you choose?

Here are some examples. They're not exact, but they'll give you an idea.

Quilted maple:
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Figured walnut. This is gloss, but has blocks:
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Walnut, but satin matte without blocks. Just so you can see what satin matte looks like:
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[Sbociol]

Walnut!

 

[73jbass]

Walnut!!!

 

[Rickett Customs]

What the hell, Go walnut..

 

[kesslari]

There is so much quilted maple out there, it takes a really special piece to floor me. Figured walnut, though, is more unusual and is just plain classy.

 

[Basshappi]

I like both equally.

 

[aproud1]

I'd go walnut but get the covered top option.

 

[BassShifter21]

Walnut! That is what I chose for my current build project and it just looks fantastic!!!

 

[MarshallLaw]

wow, that walnut is beautiful.

 

[Horny Toad]

There is so much quilted maple out there, it takes a really special piece to floor me. Figured walnut, though, is more unusual and is just plain classy.

I'm beginning to feel this way. Unless the quilt is so deep that it looks like you could dive in, I'm not interested. You never know what sort of quilt Carvin will have on hand at the time of my build. I don't think I've seen one example of a Carvin figured walnut top I didn't like.

 

[AgIdoc]

Figured walnut!!!!!! awesome!!!

never was a fan of "quilted". looks like a violin.

 

[darkstorm]

Both are nice, voted walnut, likes dark wood look.

 

[jasonmasters]

man, that is a hard descision. I love them both so much. two of my favorite woods

 

[Horny Toad]

man, that is a hard descision. I love them both so much. two of my favorite woods

I hear ya. I'm literally at the point of adding it to the Carvin shopping cart and placing the order.

 

[jimmyjames77]

Can't go wrong either way, go for the tone. I know it's not to big with a top but it makes a difference.

 

[kjpollo]

Walnut- I've been jonesing for a nice walnut-topped bass for awhile now.
Carvin ALWAYS seems to get really nice walnut (except for one bass that hung around in the basses-in-stock area for a LOOOONG time).

Plain quilt maple just doesnt do it for me anymore-with a colored finish, definitely yes, but not with natural.

 

[Horny Toad]

Figured walnut it is. Just placed the order. I'll post pics in 6-8 weeks.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

If you're not going to dye the maple, then walnut is the obvious choice.

 

[melvn]

I have an LB70P with the flame top maple. It looks awesome and I love it but I think the next one will be walnut because it is even cooler looking to me.

 

[line6man]

Definitely Quilted Maple.

I've never really cared for Walnut, or any dark colored woods for that matter.

I don't like the look with the Maple neck running down the center with the walnut either.
Quilted Maple is similar enough in color that it blends in better.