I have started to purchase the wood for my first build. It is going to be a 34" fretless with a Cocobolo fretboard. Neck will be Purpleheart, Padauk, Wenge and maple.

Let me know what you think and any advise you can give for treating the Cocobolo on a fretless. Is Epoxy the way to go?

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=14li42cz.3tqd3oef&Uy=asgdcz&Ux=0

Thanks for the inspiration,
-RAH

well, whatever rocks your boat man, I personnally think Purple and Coco dont go together (colorwise). Make sure your board is straight before gluing it, cuz coco is a strong wood and its hard to glue, so if it wants to move.... you could be in trouble. watch out for splinters with purple and wenge, and definitely enjoy the smell of Padauk. I like the shape of your design, its original, you wanna put binding or is that the top sanded down to show the sides? I wish you luck. Peace

well, whatever rocks your boat man, I personnally think Purple and Coco dont go together (colorwise). Make sure your board is straight before gluing it, cuz coco is a strong wood and its hard to glue, so if it wants to move.... you could be in trouble. watch out for splinters with purple and wenge, and definitely enjoy the smell of Padauk. I like the shape of your design, its original, you wanna put binding or is that the top sanded down to show the sides? I wish you luck. Peace

Yeah. The headstock veneer will be finalized once I get the fretboard from Luthier's Merchantile and see how the woods look together. For my first build should I go with a different fretboard material since Cocobolo is hard to work with? Is Ebony hard to work as well?

Thank you for your advice on working with these woods. The top will be sanded/ carved down to see the layers.

Is Ebony hard to work as well?

umm, yes. very much so. Wenge is easier and cheaper. but cocobolo isnt too hard either. I figure if youre ready to build a bass, you should be ready to work with cocobolo. as long as you take your time. take your time. take your time. very important. asking questions on TB is good and helpful.

i like the design, although i think your choice of woods is pretty cool. i would not do a purpleheart headstock veneer. In my opinion, you should either go with a maple veneer to match the body, or to just leave it as it is. i am working on a lacewood, maple and purpleheart bass with a cocobolo fretboard. i have only used purpleheart for 2 small pinstripes, and i think it looks great with the cocobolo, but i just think using it as a headstock veneer would be a little too much purpleheart.

i have not done a cocobolo fretless yet, but either epoxy, or (this idea has been floated around TB before, and i just refinished a bass with this finish) about 20-30 coats of poly.

i agree with T2W, the smell of paduk after cutting is pretty nice.

Well, I went to Woodworker's Source today and picked up the Wenge and the Padauk. Here are two pictures of the woods.

Anyone have a good place to get curly maple? Being local (Arizona) would be a +. Once I get that I can start on the build.:hyper:

i agree with T2W, the smell of paduk after cutting is pretty nice.

The smell of burning Padauk on the other hand is horrible! I used the wrong blade to cut the piece down and I got smoked out.