AAARRRGGGHHH!!! PLEASE help me choose! *Decision made!*

[TRBboy]

Hey guys, need some help here because I'm an indecisive b%$&@*d and it's driving me mad!

I'm just about to order my new Sandberg, but I can't decide which headstock to go for; Standard Black (no charge), colour matched (chargeable), or natural maple (chargeable, but not quite as much as matched).

So which do you think? (no pic of natural headstock sorry, it's not an option on the configurator!)

[attachment=144178:my_custom_sandberg.jpg]

[attachment=144195:my_custom_sandbergMHS.jpg]


Thanks for your help!

Edited September 24, 2013 by TRBboy

[6v6]

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1379662878' post='2215288']
natural maple (chargeable, but not quite as much as matched).
[/quote]

So they charge you more to *not* apply a finish (other than lacquer, which presumably the neck is already sprayed with)?

Natural would be my choice anyway, fwiw!

[cocco]

Black or natural, not matched.

[molan]

I'm usually a big fan of matching headstocks but they don't always work well on burst finishes.

I'd want to see the actual bass rather than a 'simulation'

Black looks 'wrong' to me so natural gets my vote.

[stingrayPete1977]

I like the black as it ties the look of the hardware and pickups together?

[chris_b]

I'm NOT a fan of coloured headstocks, matching or otherwise.

I think they're taking the p*** to charge you for NOT painting the headstock!

Have you seen the Sandbergs in the For Sale section?

[Happy Jack]

It's all personal, of course, but I really hate that black headstock. In that context, that colour is heavy enough to induce neck dive.

[Matt P]

i'm usually a fan of matching headstocks but the one in the picture doesn't really match (too dark round the edges) so it's natural for me.

[TRBboy]

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1379663245' post='2215295']
So they charge you more to *not* apply a finish (other than lacquer, which presumably the neck is already sprayed with)?

Natural would be my choice anyway, fwiw!
[/quote]

Yeah, go figure...... I was sure when I enquired earlier in the year, they told me it was no charge because it was obviously less work. Now, apparently, it costs the same as a matched headstock because it's a "non-standard" option..... although I've managed to negotiate the charge down a little.

[TRBboy]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1379665565' post='2215348']
I'm NOT a fan of coloured headstocks, matching or otherwise.

I think they're taking the p*** to charge you for NOT painting the headstock!

Have you seen the Sandbergs in the For Sale section?
[/quote]

I concur!

Yeah, seen the ones on the FS section (one of them is mine!), but I want something very specific.

[TRBboy]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1379665058' post='2215340']
I like the black as it ties the look of the hardware and pickups together?
[/quote]

Yeah I was kinda thinking that (+ it's free!), the only trouble is that on a dark stage, will it look like I've got a headless?!

[Legion]

I think matched headstocks look better with a rosewood board, and even better with solid colours instead of bursts. But matched + burst + maple = no no for me. The black just looks cheap.

[ras52]

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1379664867' post='2215334']
I'm usually a big fan of matching headstocks but they don't always work well on burst finishes.

I'd want to see the actual bass rather than a 'simulation'

Black looks 'wrong' to me so natural gets my vote.
[/quote]

My views exactly. Anything other than natural is... unnatural!

[TRBboy]

[quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1379666151' post='2215355']
i'm usually a fan of matching headstocks but the one in the picture doesn't really match (too dark round the edges) so it's natural for me.
[/quote]

I think that it would match just fine, the colours on the configurator aren't all that accurate.

This Basic Ken Taylor is supposed to be the same colour:

[attachment=144182:Basic KT Cherry.jpg]

[discreet]

Burst matching headstocks are an abomination and to be avoided in any case. A maple fretboard is very light in colour, so natural is the only option, in my opinion. No body colour match will work in this situation - except white (yes, that means a white body. Good choice!)

[Matt P]

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1379666434' post='2215364']
I think that it would match just fine, the colours on the configurator aren't all that accurate.

This Basic Ken Taylor is supposed to be the same colour:

[attachment=144182:Basic KT Cherry.jpg]
[/quote]

ahh, well if the burst will match the body colours then i think it would look very nice but i'm not going to change my vote as i think that the natural will look a tiny bit better.

Matt

[CHRISDABASS]

I'd say natural maple

[sprocketflup]

A matched headstock that actually matches would look best IMO, that one pictured there obviously matches a different bass

[Lozz196]

I voted by the pics, for the matched headstock, though I do agree that an actual matched one would be best.

[neepheid]

Black headstocks are for black basses and Gibsons.

[Prime_BASS]

Natural.

So bit backwards to bot charge for black but charge for natural.

Not too many natural headstocks banging about and is get another if I didn't have to go custom for a natural headstock.

[ras52]

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1379671594' post='2215463']
Black headstocks are for black basses and Gibsons.
[/quote]


...and for Contemporary Japan Strats with black scratchplates (and the back of the neck):

[discreet]

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1379671937' post='2215467']
...bit backwards to bot...
[/quote]

I did this yesterday and ended up in A&E. Har, har, har!

[TRBboy]

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1379671594' post='2215463']
Black headstocks are for black basses and Gibsons.
[/quote]

Plus Warwick, Spector, Dingwall, Ibanez, Yamaha, Sandberg(!), and various others.......

[TRBboy]

Hmmm.... So natural and matched are level pegging at this point...... I think they're better than the black, with natural still just edging it I think (which was my original choice before the doubts (and price) crept in!)

Although the more I look at the black, it ain't too bad.

Currently awaiting news from Sandberg on how exactly it costs them more to produce a natural headstocked version........