Bassic Colors No. 9 – Milky White and creamy Cream

[bassduke49]

I'm putting both of these together so we can include the Chris Squire limited signature edition, and all those "White" basses that aren't so white anymore. Nearly all the "White" (WHT) basses out there have yellowed significantly, but a few, seemingly miraculously, have remained pure as the driven snow. How can that be? Popular theory has it that the clear conversion varnish yellows quickly when exposed to ultraviolet light, or the CV causes the white beneath it to yellow. Could be either or both. I'm not a scientist, but perhaps Paul W. might pipe up and 'splain this. However, I have seen a few examples that have not yellowed in the least, perhaps because they are case queens or were secretly refinished with a non-yellowing paint/clearcoat. The best example of this is the White 4003 in Gary Clauson's collection, a beautiful brilliant White with white trim and chrome hardware:

I've seen other White with white trim that had an overall "banana meat" hue. Most White basses were finished in black trim. 4001 basses with this treatment had black pickguard and TRC and black body binding, but with white neck binding and chrome hardware. When the 4003 came along, most had black binding on the neck, too, and with the introduction of black hardware, had this as well. These are sometimes mistakenly called "tuxedo" basses, but the true Tuxedo 4003 SPC was a certified limited edition of the 4003S with a white-painted maple fretboard with black microdot position markers, like this one from Ted Staberow's collection:

Of course, the Chris Squire signature edition is painted in a rich cream color, and even some of these have yellowed drastically more than others. This color isn't white that has yellowed, but made to look like CS's legendary RM 1999 that had been refinished, covered with wallpaper (?), broken, and refinished again.

And then there are true refinished whites like this one, a formerly Fireglo V63 redone by Dale Fortune for Sean Kelly who sold this to me a few years ago:

So let's discuss and post pictures of these dairy favorites!

[fatcat]

I've a 2030 that I've named Whiteboy, which has slightly yellowed.

[s4001]

The RAS will be strong with this thread.

[doctorwho]

The best of both worlds:

1975 4001S WHT WT and 1998 4003 WHT WT

[badeggs]

Anyone got a WHT from 1970-72? Those are very cool (and very rare)...

[woodyng]

i have always loved white guitars with faded/yellowed finishes,and my 74 4000 has mellow-yellowed out quite a bit,i refer to it's color as "clotted cream". it has a black pg and black plexi trc. it's currently away being worked on,and i am hopeful i may actually get it back before too long. it's the one in the background of my avatar. sorry i am unable to post any other pix at this time...it has 4000-x written in the body cavity....

[shamustwin]

The best of both worlds:

PA080002.JPG

Beautiful...I like both of the "versions" of WHT.

[ilan]

My '73 4001:

[basmansam]

My former '75 4001 FL. It's a great bass. Really like the vintage white.

[cheyenne]

Not "milky" or "creamy", but my former "bright white" '97 4003 with black trim was a very nice example, and great player.

[seyesbass]

I was going to post my white CS either here or the Custom bass thread....couldnt decide so I started a new thread about the Maurice Gibb 1999.

[wints]

Post it here Pete!

Here's DH, looking a tad creamy, but it's really the light and my poor camera work!

[ajish4]

Post it here Pete!

Well,

[byu]

'77 4001S

[s4001]

Attractive bass you have there, Bill!