Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Satin finishes are a weird phenomenon. They are very popular at the cheap end and they are popular among the super expensive boutique builders.
Specifically had it made for me with that finish.
The best bass I own.
I use Music Nomad’s cleaner for satin finishes with no issues.
Just something different to add to my 3 other gloss basses.
Last edited:
I was scraping like crazy to afford the Sadowsky I purchased.This is satin at its best.
I continue to drool over this one; just could not justify another $800 for the top alone.
This is my Fender Special Noir P-bass, which I bought on looks alone.
Bass player for 50 yrs. I sold my Rickenbacker 4003 about a year ago - certainly one of the best bass designs available. It has a good deal of lacquer on the body, the neck and the fretboard itself and I think that does add to its unique sound. Recently I bought a Yamaha TRBX174 - not an expensive bass, but one of the best instruments I've ever played. It has a satin finish on its maple neck and I found that I instantly preferred it. It just makes it easier to slide up and down the neck and why wouldn't you want that?
I was thinking more about the bodies but yes, I agree with you.
I had the opportunity to try the TRBX series and indeed their necks are fantastic, they practically play on their own. They are also lightweight and very ergonomic.
Hate them. As a luthier, I know what a cop out it is to apply a satin finish. Besides, after a week of playing, the satin finish turns glossy and uneven where your body touches the instrument, so they end up looking crappy.
I love satin finishes and in some cases, they are harder and more expensive to produce than gloss finishes.
Any trained person can buff out a thick polyester factory finish. It's quicker and easier than getting a nice satin finish that has some build to it.
To me, gloss finishes are part of the automotive aesthetic that has been part of electric guitar building since the beginning. All the chrome too.
There are times when I like the automotive influence and times when I want a bass to be closer to other wooden musical instruments.
Give me a satin finish and satin nickel hardware any day.
Any trained person can buff out a thick polyester factory finish. It's quicker and easier than getting a nice satin finish that has some build to it.
To me, gloss finishes are part of the automotive aesthetic that has been part of electric guitar building since the beginning. All the chrome too.
There are times when I like the automotive influence and times when I want a bass to be closer to other wooden musical instruments.
Give me a satin finish and satin nickel hardware any day.
My most recent purchase was a Rickenbacker 4003s matte black...so, Yes. My other satin finish is a Tacoma CB-10. My 4001 and my Jack Casady are both gloss.
Satin finish is fine in the studio, or maybe if the body is a nice natural-looking wood finish.
But in general I consider it a mistake for a performer to play in public with an instrument that doesn't look shiny and catch the lights. Live performing may be mostly about the music, but it's also about how professional and high-end you look onstage. (Willie Nelson fans might disagree.)
But in general I consider it a mistake for a performer to play in public with an instrument that doesn't look shiny and catch the lights. Live performing may be mostly about the music, but it's also about how professional and high-end you look onstage. (Willie Nelson fans might disagree.)
Can't vote in the poll. In my collection of 10 I have 9 gloss and 1 satin, and I love the satin one, so I couldn't honestly answer 'no'.
