Spectrum SX black -1985 (USA)

Here's another SX in pretty good and complete condition.
Odd that the fret board on the black versions is not stained black.
LINK

p.s. to John:
Have a look at the angle on the trem bar matey. It's way up there too. So it isn't just the TekGlide bridges that have a "problem"

You might notice that most Spectrums have their rosewood fretboards stained black. The black tends to get worn out with use. Whether the SX had black or not, I can't say, but my Spectrum GT and Rail basses all have dyed black rosewood.

Warrn wrote:You might notice that most Spectrums have their rosewood fretboards stained black...

Nope, can't agree Warrn. None of mine are stained, including the ST I bought new in '85. All are showing rosewood grain.

Huh. I guess it's a Spectrum GT thing. And, obviously, a Rail thing. I'm not infallible!

Warrn wrote:Huh. I guess it's a Spectrum GT thing....

Um, no again grasshopper.
At least not mine (scroll down for a close up): LINK

Uhh, I see what looks like the remains of black dye around the frets, just like my GT bass has. I think you might need to look more closely. As I said, the dye wears out with use (and probably even faster with the occasional oil). My GT's fretboard is mostly bare rosewood now.

Right-o, I'll weigh in now because I have both guitars as well; from memory the ST doesn't have any residue on the fingerboard and I handled it 5 weeks ago so I'm pretty sure.
My GT didn't have any residue either, but memory could be faulty there as I haven't handled that one for over a year!

I really don't know what to make of this; I certainly wouldn't put it beyond Uncle to have done it, though!!!

Residue? It's dye, guys. The color just fades back to plain rosewood over time because the oils in your skin wash it out. For the most part, it just looks like very dark rosewood.

had to think of this thread when i was reading this one...

Warrn wrote:Uhh, I see what looks like the remains of black dye around the frets... I think you might need to look more closely...

Geez Warrn you've become an argumentative fella of late, and again you question my eyesight for the second time in as many months!

Let's recap:
I own 4 Spectrums, including a GT and an S both of which had seen very little use by their previous owners, i.e, not gigged, and not frequently played or wiped down. I bought my ST brand new. From my experience, none of these has black dye on the rosewood. My DX? I can't say for certain, it was a battered baby when I got her, but it too shows no signs of dye at this stage in her life. Never in the 25 years that I have owned the ST have I had black hands, black fingers, or black wiping cloths. If they ever were dyed it must have been with a water based material, 'cuz it's evaporated!

To further challenge your contention that it's being worn off; if true, then there would be "wear spots" on the fretboard since not many people play consistently over the entire fret board surface. The rest of the board should be relatively untouched and the overall effect would be ugly and blotchy. Not the case with any that I own or have seen.

In truth, I cannot imagine Uncle MATS advertising a rosewood fretboard then covering it up; especially with something that would easily wear off. BTW, how are the red and blue stained fret boards holding up? There's your comparison.

The red and blue MX/SX fretboards are maple fretboards with clearcoat over them, which would not wear down like a dyed rosewood board which does not have a clearcoat. And it could just be a bass thing, but without higher resolution pictures your GT looks to me like its fretboard was dyed. And I've always been called argumentative and opinionated, I don't mean any offense by it.

Warrn wrote:The red and blue MX/SX fretboards are maple fretboards with clearcoat over them, which would not wear down like a dyed rosewood board which does not have a clearcoat. And it could just be a bass thing, but without higher resolution pictures your GT looks to me like its fretboard was dyed. And I've always been called argumentative and opinionated, I don't mean any offense by it.

Fair enough. I could stand to be corrected but in the absence of anything tangible I have to go with what I know, ya know?
As for being opinionated, welcome to the club!

Here's something tangible - the review of a black Spectrum SX, and almost all the reviews of Spectrum models at www.westone.info (Bar one - one FX review doesn't mention it, the other does) mention dark or black dye on rosewood fingerboards.

They used that staining a lot - the Dynasty and Quantum bass reviews also mention it, and my Rail and Thunder Jet basses both have it, and my Pantera X750 bass once had it but most of it has worn off, the remains are visible in the grain of the wood.

As usual with Matsumoko there are exceptions - there's a red Sx on ebay.co.uk at the minute with a plain rosewood fingerboard when you'd expect a red finish.