Bass getting older

[Jure Lopatic (jure_the_second)]

This has been on my mind for some time:
 
I have my Orion for some years now and I have noticed, that the neck is getting a bit darker through the years. I believe this happens to all wooden things... Does this affect the tone (can't say I noticed that)? Will this darkening stop at some point or keep getting darker all the time?
 
At this point I'd like to congratulate Alembic for starting the forum this year - it was really a great idea. Happy new year to the staff and all alembic users out there.
 
Jure

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hi Jure,
 
the same happened to my bass. It's completely normal. When you go the showcase and take pics of my bass (Bonnie SII 5 string) or other basses pictured there of some age, you'll see a more tanned overall look of the wood. The darker the wood of the bass the less it will be visible but it's still there. I think that even basses with ebony tops (see Rami's twins) will change colour during time. they kind of become mellower.
 
Stay at the low-end!