Solid color or wood grain?

[scottfeldstein]

Someone should start an official "I got wood" club.

 

[sledgehamer73]

I got wood...

 

[Hapa]

It depends on the sanding job/ prep. IME natural finishes require better sanding and the majority of painted basses do not have the best sanding. But I am OCD when it comes down to what should be done vs. what needs to be done. That being said I am disgusted by painted basses where you can see the thickness sander marks under the gloss. Seeing scratches under a trans/clear finish is just as bad, if not worse. metallic paint can also add a half a pound of weight and hinders the open-ness of the high end, that being said Im a sucker for C.A.R.

 

[MD]

Uhh... Wood.

 

[Cliff Bordwell]

^ That is a cool picture and the roller skates just seem to fit in perfectly!

 

[travhop42]

Something about a bass and natural looking wood. Makes me want to play it more for some reason.

 

[6jase5]

Invisible solid grain.

 

[Hotblack]

Grain.

 

[KingRazor]

I like to see the grain...however,

I do NOT like wood-colored finishes. I don't like brown finishes. I like blue, red, green, etc. But I like the grain to show through.

 

[jumbodbassman]

wood unless it is a really bland type of wood like basswood.

 

[Jared Lash]

Invisible solid grain.

Um, would that be holly?

I love seeing wood grain. My nearly finished ACG is going to have a stunning (IMO) redwood top.

I'm also a sucker for great trans finishes like this pair of Valenti basses, one of which (the P5) used to be mine.

It's an interesting question though, because I find that up close (where I most often view the instrument) I greatly prefer the natural or trans finishes but when I see pictures from gigs from the audiences perspective I think solid color basses look better as you lose a lot of the subtle beauty of bare wood and trans finishes look a bit washed out.

Good to have both I think.

 

[Worldeeeter]

I like to see the grain...however,

I do NOT like wood-colored finishes. I don't like brown finishes. I like blue, red, green, etc. But I like the grain to show through.

+1
Love translucent colored finishes, quilted, etc.
Coffee-table basses aren't my thing.

 

[smperry]

Both

 

[giacomini]

I like em both, but my favorites are the trans finishes.

 

[TapyTap]

Wood grain...even if the grain is subtle. Every piece is always unique and interesting.

 

[mcglyph]

For me it's the grain which reigns.

 

[Down_Low]

Somewhere in the middle - love to see some grain, but with a trans or burst finish over it.

 

[sobie18]

25+ years ago it was solid color and it damn better be RED!

Now, I LOVE a beautiful top!

But honestly, they are both winners for me.

 

[AchtungBass]

Exhibition-grade quilt top, preferably !

 

[PSYCHOTIC]

I prefer solid color
My main bass is see thru transparent black or something
basically its black but you can see the wood grain and the flame maple top under sunlight or by camera flash
best of both worlds?