And so it begins, HB-4S build

[Simon Barden]

Hi and welcome.

My own opinion is that spalted tops work best with the minimum of alteration. Either no stain and just a clear finish, or a very light amber stain. Too much colour and you hide the effect of the spalt. I’ve seen a few spalt top guitars on here with quite strong/dark colours and the spalt effect is greatly reduced.

Of course it all depends in how much you value the spalt look and whether you bought that version for the spalt or mainly because it was available. It’s your bass, so please do what you want with it. Just trying to give you something to think about before you commit yourself.

[DMac]

Hi and welcome.

My own opinion is that spalted tops work best with the minimum of alteration. Either no stain and just a clear finish, or a very light amber stain. Too much colour and you hide the effect of the spalt. I’ve seen a few spalt top guitars on here with quite strong/dark colours and the spalt effect is greatly reduced.

Of course it all depends in how much you value the spalt look and whether you bought that version for the spalt or mainly because it was available. It’s your bass, so please do what you want with it. Just trying to give you something to think about before you commit yourself.

Thank you, you make a very valid point. Looking closer at the pattern of my bass, I can see were a darker stain could hide the more subtle characteristics of the spalt pattern. I'll be giving more thought to a lighter stain.