Kiev's new acquisition. Need possible refinish ideas!

[ChickenKiev]

Got this for my Birthday. It was a joint present from my girlfriend and my parents:

[IMG]http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p611/jamesyjamesyjamesy/null_zpsdbb1714d.jpg[/IMG]

Its an Ibanez ATK300 that were made between 1995 and 1997 I believe. It sounds like an absolute monster; I've found my musical soulmate! The only issue is it needs a set-up because the action is insanely high at the moment, so despite it sounding gorgeous it is a little difficult to play.

It was once a nice, bright natural colour, but as its nearly two decades old the finish has gone a bit..err..orange.

I'm thinking of possibly getting it refinished at Spectrum Guitar finishes. At first I was going for black, but the grain is gorgeous, so I was either going to go for a lighter natural colour or a three-tone sunburst.

What do you guys reckon? Natural, three-tone, leave as is or do you have any other cool suggestions?

Edited November 17, 2013 by ChickenKiev

[Dad3353]

[quote name='ChickenKiev' timestamp='1384713692' post='2279847']...What do you guys reckon?...[/quote]

Standard opening disclaimer: I have lousy taste.

As a confirmed minimalist, and borrowing from the Yankees their expression "If it ain't busted, don't fix it...", I'd have to say I'd leave the finish alone. She looks lovely (although I realise that photos are never exactly the same is 'in the flesh'...). Get the set-up right, to your tastes, and enjoy.
Well, you asked. Just my tuppence-worth.

[LukeFRC]

Daphne blue

[ChickenKiev]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1384714828' post='2279875']
Daphne blue
[/quote]

Seriously?

I wanted a finish that would show off the grain more. I'll try and take some close-ups and show it off properly.

[Roland Rock]

It looks lovely as it is, but black would be even better

[Truckstop]

Honestly, leave it!

Or if you absolutely must re-finish it, go for a 2 tone tobacco burst. Looks great with a black pick guard and all that chrome.

Truckstop

[Myke]

Leave it

[discreet]

Black guard and maple neck? Has to be vintage white.

[ChickenKiev]

Vintage white sounds like a good idea, but maybe more of a trans white so the grain could be seen?

Tobacco burst is a good shout too. I'm a smoker too so I definitely approve .

I find the idea of a maple fingerboard and a burst body to be quite appealing because I can't recall seeing many basses that have that.

I've seen a few ATK300s with burst finishes and they're pornographic!

[IMG]http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p611/jamesyjamesyjamesy/null_zpsc6965300.jpg[/IMG]

That's more of a target burst really, but sexy as hell!

Argh, decisions decisions.

[discreet]

[quote name='ChickenKiev' timestamp='1384718358' post='2279962']
Vintage white sounds like a good idea, but maybe more of a trans white so the grain could be seen?
[/quote]

Yes, like the early trans blonde P basses. Or the 66 Slab.

Edited November 17, 2013 by discreet

[ChickenKiev]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1384718409' post='2279964']


Yes, like the early trans blonde P basses.
[/quote]

Maybe more white and a little less cream/yellow though.

If I were to do that I'd have to give it a satin finish though. Oosh!

[discreet]

[quote name='ChickenKiev' timestamp='1384718733' post='2279968']
If I were to do that I'd have to give it a satin finish though. Oosh!
[/quote]

Well worth it - as I'm not doing it and you are.

[AntLockyer]

LEave it.

[LukeFRC]

I hope I'm not being rude here... I just looked up the price of Ibanez ATK300 secondhand.... could you not buy a sunburst one [i]as well[/i] for the price of refinishing the one you have?

[ChickenKiev]

Not really because the original ATK300 is different from the reissue. Namely, the reissue has a humbucker parading as a triplebucker. Basically Ibanez neutered the original ATK300. The original isn't easy to find, so there isn't really an option to get another.

[ChickenKiev]

What type of finish does that slab P bass have in the picture? It looks almost flat or satin.

[discreet]

Apart from it being nitro, and generally [i]aged[/i], I don't know. Certainly not a hi-gloss or poly finish, though.
Not too difficult to recreate as a white/blonde trans, I would have thought.

[ChickenKiev]

I think that's the winner y'know?

[Icunningham]

My mark hoppus has a surf green finish which you can see the grain through, looks lovely