While we're all talking about wood...

[PocketGroove82]

What are bass makers thinking when they create atrocities like Spalted Maple Tops:

http://www.spectorbass.com/images/usbolt/NSJH5EXspaltedmapletop_lrg.jpg

or Buckeye Burl Tops:

http://www.spectorbass.com/images/basses/5XLBUCKEYECOMPOSITEWEB_LRG.jpg


and then they charge a pant load for them!
I guess ugly is the new thing

 

[jeffrey]

I think both of those woods are really cool actually...

Spalted Maple has a very cool tone in my experience.

 

[PocketGroove82]

wood that ugly can sound good?

 

[maddog]

beauty is in the eye.

 

[Kirby]

I agree beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Those woods are often very rare and thus unique. Some consider those to be the ultimate in custom instruments because no two of them will ever look alike.

If you get a chance, you may want to read how spalted wood comes to be, it is actually an interesting story.

 

[midopa]

It's rotten wood, right? haha

 

[Kirby]

It's rotten wood, right? haha

In a matter of speaking, yes!

It does get a bit more complicated though. I don't want to be responsible for people tearing down their old barns for rotten wood for basses!

 

[strummer]

beauty is in the eye.

+1!

Remember, strange as it may seem, some people don't like the looks of the mighty Bongo either...

 

[plato]

Those Spect*rs look much nicer in real life. They also sound awsome.
I've always used Spect*rs and MM basses. Nothing else. So in this case, "ugly" does sound very good.

 

[Bill]

beauty is in the eye.

Very true. My wife thinks my Stingrays are ugly, especially the natural one! (I need to sit down & have a long, heartfelt talk with her....)

 

[boston asphalt2]

I love this spalted maple warwick

and it sonds killer, too! (Its not mine, but I played it a few times)

 

[bassmonkeee]

Play what you want, want what you play.

I find it idiotic to make fun of someone else's taste in aesthetics.

Why do the builders do it? Because the customer wants it, and they don't seem to think it affects the tone adversely.

As for the upcharge, spalted and buckeye are pains in the ass to deal with. Filling voids sucks.

 

[Big Poppa]

Good job Bassmonkee

Lets try to not bash other makers here..its ok to express an opinion about woods and such but Spector makes these because someone wants them.

 

[bovinehost]

 

[Kirby]

Wow, if the above picture was actually Stuart Spector, I might have to sell my Spector. That is horrible! Then again, look where he is, kind of speaks to the matter don't ya think?

 

[cdb]

That is PHIL, not Stuart.

And personally, I like the nice woods... and realize that they aren't for everybody...

 

[Kirby]

Yes, I know that is Phil, not Stuart. Just going along with Jack's sense of humor.

I have never seen a picture of Phil Spector that bad either.

 

[Big Poppa]

NO JOKES THIS MORNING! ok just a few I thought Jacks photo was funny

 

[bdgotoh]

LOL! He went from wall of sound to wall of hair...

 

[fly]

I don't want to be responsible for people tearing down their old barns for rotten wood for basses!

*heads outside to kick the horses outta thier stalls and look for wood*






i kinda like the buckeye burl.........burls are too cool.