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Solid color or wood grain?
- Thread starter Cliff Bordwell
- Start date
Wood grain, it's always unique, and even if it's a factory-line bass it doesn't feel like it. It's always your unique bass guitar
As long as the wood is worthy of being seen, grain all the way! Depends on the bass though, but in general i prefer translucent finishes.
I think wood grain is beautiful, and that's how I voted. Still, I like colors and 3 of my 7 basses are solid color. It could get dull if all basses were too similar, no? 
Solid color showing some grain, followed closely by burst finishes. As grain is visible in both cases, even if some look solid from a distance, I'll have to go with the grain (not against the grain... har har). Solids can look awesome, however.
There's a certain something about Olympic white.
I used to prefer basses with wild grain and the wilder the better. But I mostly play in rock bands and I prefer Fender or Fender clones and I do love their retro car paint schemes, so these days: solid color.
I voted solid color. Yes theres a lot of great looking see thru finish basses. But theres also plenty Id just as soon be solid black. I'm prob 50/50 for see thru or solid. But basic black allways works. Lol.
I prefer wood, but I'm not against a solid if the effect works.
Here are my two current axes:
The Lakland is in a finish I love, especially over a fancy (or in this case, fancy-ish) top. The Fender is literally the only colour combo of that model that I like.
Er, and so many TBers ave seen that photo that I'm kind of embarrassed when I post it now, but you know.
I have an NYC Sadowsky coming soon, which is full-on transparent over obnoxiously fancy top. It's just a look I like better.
Though, I really like natural over ash, with a maple fretboard and a black pickguard as well. Meow...
Here are my two current axes:
The Lakland is in a finish I love, especially over a fancy (or in this case, fancy-ish) top. The Fender is literally the only colour combo of that model that I like.
Er, and so many TBers ave seen that photo that I'm kind of embarrassed when I post it now, but you know.
I have an NYC Sadowsky coming soon, which is full-on transparent over obnoxiously fancy top. It's just a look I like better.
Though, I really like natural over ash, with a maple fretboard and a black pickguard as well. Meow...
For me it depends on the type of bass. I prefer paint on more traditional basses like P and J basses. I like wood grain on more modern shapes like Ibanez or Carvin Icon basses, especially if it is a really nice wood.
Solid colors, except for woodgrain on bursts. I am not drawn to flames, quilts, or other exotic-looking woods.
If the grain is deluxe.... show it off
If the grain is plain... bursts are nice
Touché!
Here's my latest "insurance company shot". The ONLY painted bass in the bunch belongs to my son.
Wooden musical instruments have generally been woodgrain-showing for hundreds of years.... ones painted like cars have been around only about fifty years.
And I'm very partial to walnut, which if you painted over it, you'd probably go directly to h-e-doublehockeysticks.
And I'm very partial to walnut, which if you painted over it, you'd probably go directly to h-e-doublehockeysticks.
I always try to go for a bass with visible wood grain and make sure that it is a good looking piece of wood. I feel like you may get a better piece of ash, alder or whatever...if the wood is visible. If I'm the luthier and I have an ugly piece of body wood laying around, I'm going to send that one out painted black. I have seen many threads where guys have a bass that has been stripped of its paint and the wood is ugly and pieced together. Visible wood grain just keeps the luthier honest. As always I may be wrong, but that's my take on it.
