Is is necessary???

[Scotty_Guitar]

Ok, aside from value (I knew the route would severely limit it's resale-ability anyway), I'm speaking aesthetically now... Should I paint the whole thing (except fretboard)? Or just the body? or Body and headstock???

At this point, I'm tempted to just dunk it into a big vat of black, wipe off the fretboard and call it a player!!!

[rickyfricky]

The Whole Thing - except for the fretboard and headstock wings.

Although the woodgrain is pretty sexy - you may want to STAIN it.

I'm just sayin' . . .

[aceonbass]

I can say from personal experience that a plug, or any maple-to-maple graft (if done properly) will remain undetectable for at least six and half years. That's how long ago the headstock on my "4008CS" was lengthened to make it an 8-string. The graft is still undetectable under the cream finish. I've also had four others done, and not heard a complaint from any of my customers about the refinished head stocks. To do it right, you'll need to find a pro though who can get a partial match to the three pieces of wood involved and then graft them in as one piece. Unless your body wing separation is adjacent to this hole, it's existence had nothing to do with the separation. As far as color goes, I would say to paint it all one color for at least one good reason...resale value. Yes, I know you're not concerned about this (no one ever is who takes the plunge with a big mod) but if you ever do decide to sell it, it'll make a difference of hundreds of dollars to you because no one wants a two tone Rick. I really like the current midnight blue, and this model bass in that color is very rare.

[cjj]

The Whole Thing - except for the fretboard and headstock wings.

Although the woodgrain is pretty sexy - you may want to STAIN it.

I'm just sayin' . . .

Don't try to stain it. Maple tends to not take stain evenly and generally ends up looking terrible...

[Scotty_Guitar]

I can say from personal experience that a plug, or any maple-to-maple graft (if done properly) will remain undetectable for at least six and half years. That's how long ago the headstock on my "4008CS" was lengthened to make it an 8-string. The graft is still undetectable under the cream finish. I've also had four others done, and not heard a complaint from any of my customers about the refinished head stocks. To do it right, you'll need to find a pro though who can get a partial match to the three pieces of wood involved and then graft them in as one piece. Unless your body wing separation is adjacent to this hole, it's existence had nothing to do with the separation. As far as color goes, I would say to paint it all one color for at least one good reason...resale value. Yes, I know you're not concerned about this (no one ever is who takes the plunge with a big mod) but if you ever do decide to sell it, it'll make a difference of hundreds of dollars to you because no one wants a two tone Rick. I really like the current midnight blue, and this model bass in that color is very rare.

Love this bass in the darker Midnight Blue! Wish I knew where to get it...

Ford has a new dark blue pearl metallic that is "close," and very good looking (to me).

I'm told the metallic paints shrink more, and more quickly. That will eventually reveal the glue lines around the maple "plug." Though 6-7 years is a decent stretch... I can deal with that. Thanks for that bit of information!