When do you think a matching headstock does not look good?

[SoulReflection]

On a headless bass...?

 

[Thumpin6string]

I like them on most basses. When I built my 6 string, I did a matching headstock on my graphite neck.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

What is that double split-coil G&L? I've never seen one like that.

Matador. It’s only available through the custom. Those dual MFD pickups make for quite the beast.

 

[600 Ohms]

Never used to like them until recently. The same goes for GOLD hardware.

 

[bucephylus]

“You talkin to me? You talkin to ME?”

 

[Gervais Cote]

To answer the question of the first post, I think a matching headstock doesn’t look good when put beside my latest jazz bass…………….but it’s personal :

picture hosting

 

[ctmullins]

Never. Matching headstocks are always preferable.

 

[J Posega]

I think they look sort of weird with maple fretboards.

 

[Dynacord]

As others have said, sometimes with maple boards - but there are exceptions. Otherwise I'm a fan. Especially with offsets.

 

[fourstringburn]

I agree with some of the post about matching head stocks with maple and sunburst or any other burst doesn't look too good.

But also agree that on solid colors with rosewood it can look very nice!

Here's my custom Jazz with an Ebony board and matching head stock modeled after a 1965 Fender Jazz.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Unless it's an oddball bass, I usually like matching headstocks, even on maple.

 

[The_Owl]

When do you think a matching headstock does not look good on a bass?

Maple fretboard.

/thread

 

[facetsquared]

[/QUOTE]

That may be the most perfect bass I have ever seen. Goodness.

 

[MingusBass]

I'm a big fan of matching headstocks. I do think it looks best on darker fingerboard basses like rosewood and ebony, but there's a place for maple too!

 

[2112]

I'm always a sucker for a matching painted headstock. I'm also occasionally, but not always, a sucker for a non-matching painted headstock. Here are some examples (trigger warning: guitar content). I know some match the pickguard instead, I'm good with that, too.

 

[Derry Murbles]

I'm in the "almost all the time" camp myself for when matching headstocks look bad. I very rarely like a matching headstock.

 

[BioDriver]

I’m not a fan of matched headstocks in general, but especially when it’s a Fender-style bass with a maple fretboard.

Bingo. And I’d go a step further and say it looks bad with any maple fingerboard

 

[InhumanResource]

I think they generally look pretty sharp. Exceptions would be when you get the red and yellow maple McDonald’s thing happening.

I’m also not crazy about black finish with a rosewood neck, I think the contrast is kind of annoying. I picked an ebony board for that reason.


Here’s mine.

 

[G On Bass]

I love 'em in almost all circumstances, especially with maple boards. Makes it look 'complete' to me. YMMV.

 

[fretlessman71]

I like matching headstocks, except when they're painted the same color as the body. Ew.