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

[viking power]

Interesting variety of opinions here.

I have yet to own a matching headstock guitar or bass but really really want one. Would love a Jazzmaster in a cool color with matching headstock.

 

[chadds]

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

When it's broken off.

 

[groovepump]

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.

View attachment 5244035

View attachment 5244037

View attachment 5244038

View attachment 5244032

View attachment 5244033

The bling red-white and blue is sharp! Same with the bling gray and black. Actually, you have a good eye for colour, contrating colours that "POP". All your basses are beautiful.

 

[facetsquared]

I just looked at my 4003 and thought 'now there's a matching burst headstock done right'. The diagonal stripe fade works really, really well, I think. If memory serves, Rickenbacker has moved away from this in favour of matching striped/winged headstocks, though?

 

[bcbassman]

How about when its a non-matching colored headstock. I saw this on a relic Jazzmaster, and it looked weird.

 

[logdrum]

It's never something I watch out for. I only have bass with matching and 1 painted. I sold the ones before not because they were painted.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I just looked at my 4003 and thought 'now there's a matching burst headstock done right'. The diagonal stripe fade works really, really well, I think. If memory serves, Rickenbacker has moved away from this in favour of matching striped/winged headstocks, though?

View attachment 5244391

4001V63

 

[FearNoEvil65]

Matching headstocks rule, and IMO bursts are the best

 

[Grahams Groove]

I like it for darker/deeper colors and natural wood. Not as crazy about white, light blue, etc. My main bass is matched and I dig it a lot…

 

[JenderBazzFass]

I don't like them at all, personally.

 

[Moogmelt]

Never, but that's just me.

 

[JumboJett35]

Here's the new Aerodyne line. I personally have the Dolphin Grey Jazz and the Hot Rod Burst Precision. I think they all look great with the matching headstocks.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Works for me.

 

[fourstringburn]

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.

View attachment 5244048

I think just the opposite, that looks very nice, especially with the Ebony board! It looks way better than a sunburst Bass would look with a black headstock because all the black colors across the whole Bass compliment each other.

I think a matching silver burst Headstock wouldn't look so good to where I would prefer just a natural wood.

 

[Mister Magic]

Does anyone think the non-matching wood grain Fodera headstocks look good?

The loss of the matching headstock on the "poverty-spec" standard Foderas, which are still ~$5k and up, was a dealbreaker for me. I could not believe they did that on such high-end instruments. I thought it was shameful and it makes them look cheap. I ordered one but had to send it back once I saw how bad it actually looked in person.

"Economy of scale". Get the hell outta here with that ridiculous Fodera talking point.

 

[jdjk7]

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

I generally like matched headstocks, but I don't really like it when matched headstocks are matching a burst pattern. It's not especially common, but I've seen it.

 

[Les Fret]

I think it’s a non issue. I love basses with or without matching headstock.

when doesn’t it work? On a headless bass!

 

[lunarpollen]

I like it, I think it makes the bass look more fully dressed

 

[jd56hawk]

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

A matching headstock isn't always necessary with a maple fretboard, but I if I found any other bass with an unfinished headstock on my front porch, I'd leave it there!

 

[vickerekes]

The previous owner (also a TB'er) put matching tuners on this matching headstock, making a very cool headstock look more finished and even cooler...