Hey guys, I need some help. I am planning on commissioning a fretless bass with an Ash body and maple neck. Since I just want a simple ash body with no top, I wanted to know if there are any interesting variants of Ash? Such as...flamed, burled, quilted..etc. If it's possible post pics of any examples. Aslo, would these variants sound the same and have the same weight as a simple Swamp ash block? Thanks in advance:smug:

And what the heck is this smiley for? :atoz:

flamed Ash (when you can find it) is a true wood of beauty.

I currently have three lightly flamed Ash body blanks awaiting that 'special project' when I re-open my shop in Charlotte.

all the best,

R

Figured ash can be real pretty this body was very heavy though.

http://www.clementbass.com/web/Gallery/Bassgallery/tabid/55/ctl/Viewer/mid/388/currentitem/1/currentstrip/1/Default.aspx?path=ergobasses/Clement%20066

Figured ash can be real pretty this body was very heavy though.

http://www.clementbass.com/web/Gallery/Bassgallery/tabid/55/ctl/Viewer/mid/388/currentitem/1/currentstrip/1/Default.aspx?path=ergobasses/Clement%20066

Man that looks hot! I love the look of the figure on the upper portion of the bass...kind of like a burl-quilt thing going on. Is it safe to assume then, that figured ash in general is going to be heavier than swamp ash?

No. It can be just as light. Contact Mr. Majestic if you're looking for that hard-to-find figured ash, he has some.

No. It can be just as light. Contact Mr. Majestic if you're looking for that hard-to-find figured ash, he has some.


He may have it but good luck getting him to part with it. ;) Nice regular Swamp Ash though!

Hey Tom your new website layout looks great!

Hey guys, I need some help. I am planning on commissioning a fretless bass with an Ash body and maple neck. Since I just want a simple ash body with no top, I wanted to know if there are any interesting variants of Ash? Such as...flamed, burled, quilted..etc. If it's possible post pics of any examples. Aslo, would these variants sound the same and have the same weight as a simple Swamp ash block? Thanks in advance:smug:

And what the heck is this smiley for? :atoz:

That smiley is the atoz smiley :atoz: It just got added the other day in honour (or maybe mockery) of Atoz.

lowsound

http://www.beebasses.com/html/basses_58.html

If I remember correctly, this top was described as figured ash.

http://www.beebasses.com/html/basses_58.html

If I remember correctly, this top was described as figured ash.

The back of that bass looks killer!!!
I contacted Mr. Majestic...let's see what he has :)

Hey Tom your new website layout looks great!


Thanks it is donated by a customer a great guy. Thanks for the info on the fretwire too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonsbasses
No. It can be just as light. Contact Mr. Majestic if you're looking for that hard-to-find figured ash, he has some.


He may have it but good luck getting him to part with it. Nice regular Swamp Ash though!


You do get some slight figure in swamp ash, but heavy figure is very hard to find. There are a few pieces with slight "curl" that comes through and I do sell those. I have only had 2 pieces come through in the last year that have had heavy figuring and like Tom said I have locked those away in my "vault". I do have 10000 bd.ft coming in next week and can be on the look-out. But until then here's a shot of flamed swamp ash. I haven't shot a pic of the face, but this piece is perfect. The flame runs the entire length and thickness of the board. It also is freaky light at 1.7 lbs.bd.ft. or in other words a blank that is 14 x 22 x 1.75 would weigh around 6 lbs 6 ozs.

http://a934.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/128/l_95ea378526324fb10e33f6260f154805.jpg

you may also wanna look for some black ash burl. I have a piece that is pretty crazy.

http://www.stabilizedwood.com/wood_img/cl_blkashburl.html

this Adamovic has a flamed Ash top, which I've always fancied: http://www.adamovic.nl/xJU001.htm

There is quite a bit of figuring in the harder ash and northern ash, but the texture of swamp ash does not lend itself to figuring very often. And when it does it is usually has bark inclusions. I have been asking some of my smaller one man mills to be on the look out for any burls on any of the ash they cut, but no results yet. I love that black ash burl, but they are not that common down here.

There is quite a bit of figuring in the harder ash and northern ash, but the texture of swamp ash does not lend itself to figuring very often. And when it does it is usually has bark inclusions. I have been asking some of my smaller one man mills to be on the look out for any burls on any of the ash they cut, but no results yet. I love that black ash burl, but they are not that common down here.

Any interesting crotch wood or down at the base of the tree?

Unfortunately ash is a great pulpwood. Anything that is not straight goes to the pulpwood mill. Light weight ash is a very small piece of the pie in the ash market. Loggers are looking for maximum profit with minimum headache.

Behold:
http://www.bassandbeyond.com/html/bass_ss.php?category=Roscoe&item=Roscoe%20SKB3005%20Ash&view=1

The most beautiful piece of ash i ever saw
Stambaugh, Lady and Gentlemen...
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7732/img0173wh3.jpg

Behold:
http://www.bassandbeyond.com/html/bass_ss.php?category=Roscoe&item=Roscoe%20SKB3005%20Ash&view=1

:eek: Are you sure that's ash? It looks more like burl maple. Beautiful!

there were some pics of a hanewinckel floating around a while back that was made of this really WILD quilted ash...it was nuts looking

flamed ash bass by Ryan Welcome from Sage Guitars

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/310/util00103206fg1.jpg

this is a nice piece of ash...

:D:D:D @ Wilsers signature!!

there were some pics of a hanewinckel floating around a while back that was made of this really WILD quilted ash...it was nuts looking

Man I'd love to see that.

:eek: Are you sure that's ash? It looks more like burl maple. Beautiful!

Agreed. I know Bass and Beyond is saying it's Ash, which makes me think it very well may be, but its figuring looks exactly like my Roscoe, which over a dozen TBers, including our own Roscoe employee, have all agreed must be maple, upon in-hand inspection. Of course, mine has a "vintage yellow" tint where this one is natural. Could we all have been wrong these past 5 or so years that I've had it?

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i6/adronta/3060d980.jpg

flamed ash bass by Ryan Welcome from Sage Guitars

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/310/util00103206fg1.jpg

I love Ryan's basses plus he's a super nice guy. That is definitely flamed swamp ash.

Here's another one with light figuring. This one went to Callowhill in Philly.
http://a171.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/78/l_63b7ee23155e14cacbb7312f9b458be2.jpg

I played a heavily figured flamed ash neck thru bass. All flamed ash, with a few thin walnut laminates in the neck, and man did it sound sweet. Also weighed about 15 pounds lol.

:eek: Are you sure that's ash? It looks more like burl maple. Beautiful!


For all of you interested, I'm pretty sure it is figured ash. Here's the link to the build thread.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322773&highlight=figured+ash

Alleva Copollo (sp???) made some basses out of spalted ash. They are super lightweight. I think he had one at NAMM. I know it's not exactly figured but cool nonetheless.

Alleva Copollo (sp???) made some basses out of spalted ash. They are super lightweight. I think he had one at NAMM. I know it's not exactly figured but cool nonetheless.

I think that was spalted alder.


Anyone have a source to some 5/4 curly ash?

Are you looking for hard ash or swamp ash?

http://www.bobknarley.com/bass/wal3/w3_03.jpg
http://www.bobknarley.com/bass/wal3/w3_04.jpg
Flame Olive Ash, does that count?

http://www.bobknarley.com/bass/wal3/w3_03.jpg
http://www.bobknarley.com/bass/wal3/w3_04.jpg
Flame Olive Ash, does that count?

It sure does :D Wal was one of the ones who made me think of getting figured ash. I just love the olive ash topped basses - very sexy!

For all of you interested, I'm pretty sure it is figured ash. Here's the link to the build thread.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322773&highlight=figured+ash

Then that is the craziest piece of ash I have ever seen. I wonder how a two piece body made with that wood would look like...with a nice antique burst...mmmm....Is it even possible to use burl wood for a body. I mean is it good for a bass? I know that Furlanetto made an AC6 once with a burled maple body that looked sick, but since burl just means rotted, doesn't this affect the resonance and sustain naturally?

Then that is the craziest piece of ash I have ever seen. I wonder how a two piece body made with that wood would look like...with a nice antique burst...mmmm....Is it even possible to use burl wood for a body. I mean is it good for a bass? I know that Furlanetto made an AC6 once with a burled maple body that looked sick, but since burl just means rotted, doesn't this affect the resonance and sustain naturally?


That bass looks amazing. I have a giant buckeye burl and that bass is getting me to think......hmmm.

Burl does not mean rotten, spalted wood is partially decayed. There would be no way of knowing what an instrument would sound like with a solid burled piece of wood. Burl has so much twisted grain, pith pockets, dirt, air, and even rocks that it would be impossible to know what the tone would be for certain. Each piece is so drastically different.

i found it...SICK hanewinckel draken with a quilted ash top...try not looking at the body to check out that crazy birdseye on the fretboard...what a nuts bass

http://www.unpronounceable.com/images/hanewinckel/SigDkn5.jpg

"I have a giant buckeye burl and that bass is getting me to think......hmmm."

Send it on over. :hyper::hyper:

"I have a giant buckeye burl and that bass is getting me to think......hmmm."

Send it on over. :hyper::hyper:


I think I might get in trouble if I were to cut into it. I have made a deal for it with another builder. But it is very tempting. Oh well.

i found it...SICK hanewinckel draken with a quilted ash top...try not looking at the body to check out that crazy birdseye on the fretboard...what a nuts bass

Thanks Neptoon. Whoever has that bass is one lucky dude. Aside from the woods, Hanes are sick in their own right:bassist:

I have several consecutive cuts from an ash crotch with some nice figuring. +/-(15" x 48" x 5/4")


http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/bassmanhamilton/TBAsh.jpg

Very nice!!!

:(:rollno::crying::bawl:

Yes that is sharp. I hope it doesn't give you trouble when you start working it. The big slab of hard ash I made the body posted earlier gave me lots of trouble. Real fine stress cracks.t

That piece of ash is ****ing sick!!! Definitely the nicest piece Ive seen. How many pieces are several? You can get some serious tops cutting each at the mid and bookmatching them.

Yes that is sharp. I hope it doesn't give you trouble when you start working it. The big slab of hard ash I made the body posted earlier gave me lots of trouble. Real fine stress cracks.t

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that they will want to move when I start cutting them. There is a lot of tension in these pieces.
I ran some crotch walnut not long ago and a couple of pieces blew apart in the planer.

That piece of ash is ****ing sick!!! Definitely the nicest piece Ive seen. How many pieces are several? You can get some serious tops cutting each at the mid and bookmatching them.

I'm pretty sure that I have 4 consecutive slabs from this tree. I got them from a friend of mine who runs a sawmill about 6 or so years ago.

I know they will be heavy but have you considered using them as is, 1 piece bodies, to avoid the exploding. Bass 66 the solid one piece Ash bass I did weighed 10.5lb At least you won't have to worry about neck dive. :D

Hmmmmm Georgia isn't too far a drive........You have how many pieces?

I had a Wal Pro 1 that had a solid flamed swamp ash body and this was very light - should never have let that one go.

Not really figured but rather nice all the same, my RIM Custom 5 with ash top:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/otisband/Alexstudioshots013.jpg

Alex

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that they will want to move when I start cutting them. There is a lot of tension in these pieces.
I ran some crotch walnut not long ago and a couple of pieces blew apart in the planer.


Is your planer a straight knife or segmented head. I can't run figured stock through my straight knife planer it must go through my helical head planer. The knives on a segmented helical head planer will shear the wood instead of pulling at the grain like the straight.

I have several consecutive cuts from an ash crotch with some nice figuring. +/-(15" x 48" x 5/4")

That is simply beautiful :eek: I hope my builder can find something like that :crying:

Is your planer a straight knife or segmented head. I can't run figured stock through my straight knife planer it must go through my helical head planer. The knives on a segmented helical head planer will shear the wood instead of pulling at the grain like the straight.
My planer is a straight blade cutter. It sounds like I need to save up for a segmented cutter. I also want a good thickness sander. Toys Toys Toys.............

Figured ash top on my Zon Sonus Lightwave:

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1688/zonlightwave3ws1.jpg

Is that middle area sapwood? That is gorgeous!

Thought I would post these here in this thread. I am rather proud of them. It took me a while to find thick enough lumber of this quality to use for some tops that I needed. The piece yielded 3 sets of tops that were 3/8 x 22 x 24. It is white ash that was very hard and heavy and very much resembles Tamo ash from japan. I'll post pics of the basses when they are completed. It was a pic here in this thread of a Hannewinckel bass that got me jonesing for a bass with figured ash.

http://a214.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/30/l_88dd35032358edf275cf2eaf8872cc9d.jpg


http://a436.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/53/l_14a539cab60e3c5721ffb4bb2e7f2093.jpg


http://a191.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/51/l_09c2412e74c622b8f67759bc8184201e.jpg


http://a639.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/12/l_e2ddde06d4c2e482123b5f693cf26eae.jpg

Here's that Hannewinkel. I wish I could find some more pics of it floating around.

http://www.unpronounceable.com/images/hanewinckel/SigDkn5.jpg

Here is one of three, currently getting built:

http://a208.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/4/l_07c0aa0dda18c49e5bebe2bd5a8b34e7.jpg
http://a370.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/47/l_4f7ba9e46b9646b29bec3e7a27b91a29.jpg

Sweet looking stuff.

Indeed, there are some crazy pics on this thread!

For what it's worth, I stain cabinet doors for a living, and of all the ash we've done I've only seen a little flaming. Obviously you can get your hands on heavily figured stuff, but I'd imagine it would be kind of hard to find.

Here is one of three, currently getting built:

http://a208.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/4/l_07c0aa0dda18c49e5bebe2bd5a8b34e7.jpg
http://a370.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/47/l_4f7ba9e46b9646b29bec3e7a27b91a29.jpg

Wow!!

Wow!!

This one has a one piece swamp ash body (of course) and should weigh in just under 7 lbs.



Here is a pic of the first piece I purchased. It was a piece of European Olive Ash, Very nice also, but didn't have the curly grain I was wanting:

http://a127.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/85/l_054c3b1655553eff49d0fedd684f523e.jpg

Here is a better pic that shows the quilting a tad better.

http://a727.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/86/l_9cf3ce5bafa433fbc06a260ec5c36226.jpg

It will be going on this piece of flamed swamp ash:

http://a879.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/68/l_bb0a2376e293cda64e3aec700775681e.jpghttp://a934.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/128/l_95ea378526324fb10e33f6260f154805.jpg

Here is a better pic that shows the quilting a tad better.

http://a727.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/86/l_9cf3ce5bafa433fbc06a260ec5c36226.jpg


I have one word for that piece... just one word... INSANE!!!!

...Obviously you can get your hands on heavily figured stuff, but I'd imagine it would be kind of hard to find.

Although not a crazy as Mr Majestics, I found it fairly easy to get hold of this piece:

http://docs.google.com/File?id=dc7tbshn_8fwmh7kfv_b

I contacted a couple of craft suppliers who carry native hardwoods and went with the one that suited this project best - they all carried flamed ash.

I found the smaller mills tend to do a lot more sorting both before and after resawing. Although you pay a little more, you dont need to hunt through stacks of timber for what you want. They may also resaw and thickness to your dimensions, which is really handy!

I was able to find mineral streaked and flamed ash and it is quite a bit easier to find. I was trying to find something as close to tamo ash or "peanut" ash as I could. What I found was that all of the tamo ash was sold as veneer logs. I also tried locating european olive ash and found that most all of that type of figuring was sold as veneer also, but did find a flitch cut log(that's another story). I was able to run across 3 unbelievible mineral streaked ash logs, that were incredibly light weight, but not the figuring I was looking for.

It was a pic here in this thread of a Hannewinckel bass that got me jonesing for a bass with figured ash.




gee whiz...i get to take responsibility for that? nice...