So, I have a few beautiful pieces of wood a fellow TBer sold me (at a great price, BTW). and I'm gonna be putting together a few basses with what I've got. I'm really interested in seeing some tasteful contrasts of natural wood colors, as I'm gonna be finishing most, if not all with a natural finish. I have access to some pretty good hardwood stores in my area, and i've already picked up some Wenge, Alder, Ash, Purpleheart, Zebrano, and a few beautiful pieces of walnut that came from a close friend's Grandad's black walnut tree, that was cut about 10 years ago.

So, all you awesome builders, whats your favorite natural wood combinations?

So far my favorite combination has been Wenge and Maple Laminates for the neck and natural wenge for the fretboard, and Curly Bubinga over Ash with a Purpleheart accent stripe for the body. Something about the warm, deep red of the Bubinga and dark chocolate colored Wenge that just really "pops".

Thanks for participating,
Jeff

As far as looks my favorite would be cocobolo over alder with an ebony accent line for the body. And maple and ebony stringers for the neck with a rosewood fretbboard and big block inlays of pearl or light material.

Only a builder as I've done a Warmoth build and a couple other kit parts but as a player, can't miss with Ash body and Ebony board on on fretless. Babinga or Rosewood are nice too but not as touch and bright as Ebony. I do like your idea of using Zebrawood as an accent. I've seen it used well but if its a whole body, it gets kind of busy.

wenge and zebrawood :eek: wow
ash and walnut :) also very nice

My favorite combos are walnut and maple, or maple and ebony. I'm looking at ash and bloodwood next. Darks woods side-by-side (i.e. the wenge/bloodwood combo often seen in necks) don't do anything for me. Having said that, ebony with walnut is acceptable, but I've gotta have sharp contrasts! :smug:

My all time favorite has been in a bass Ive built. Mahogany, Padauk, Maple, Wenge and Cocobolo. Looks like a cake. Canary and Walnut is surprisingly nice too.

The F bass shown in this photo is one of the most beautiful instruments I've ever seen. The only thing I dislike is the conspicuous white interruption near the end of the truss rod. Were I to commission or build a comparable bass, I'd be very tempted to use ebony for the finger board. :hiding:

Padauk / Wenge

Mahogany / Wenge

For neck thru I like to use:
Tiger Maple/Purpleheart/Wenge/Purpleheart/Tiger Maple
Wenge/Purpleheart/Maple/Purpleheart/Wenge
I'm still not sure which one I like best, although the wenge was easier on the outside when shaping the neck. The figured maple really likes to chip when using a spokeshave.

For body wings tops, I like Zebra, Black Walnut, Ovangkol, basically anything nicely figured.

Dirk

Can't really go wrong with Koa if you ask me. I love a koa top with a mahogany body. Or a natural flamed maple top with Koa binding... mmm.. that's the guitar part of me talking, you bass fellas don't do binding so much.

Also, now that I think of it, you don't see koa too often on basses.

Cocobolo is definitely another top favorite. And Ebony. Those woods look good with just about anything.

Wow that Fbass is sooo nice, for sure... not sure if my skills will ever be to that level, speaking of a higher level, I appreciate your input on the laminations, Mr. Dirk Diggler. Ive admired your builds (especially that sick little ashbory thing..) and will definitely keep that in mind when working with the maple.

One question, how thick should I go with the maple? I really like the wenge on the outside asthetically, Ive thought about going 3/4 inch on the center purpleheart lamination and maybe 1/4 on the maple, and leaving the wenge on the outside @about an inch for a five string, which will put the neck at 3 1/4 thickness to start with, what are your thoughts Dirk?

Thanks,
Jeff

Hey Jeff,
My best advice is make sure you have plenty of wood on the outside laminates, that way no issues when you taper the neck.
3 1/4" is about what my finished 6 strings are so that should give you plenty of wiggle room.
And I was pleasantly surprised how well the wenge worked compare to the figured maple.
Thanks for the kind words on my builds.:)
Dirk

So with a solid wenge neck, on top of ash or alder, what kind of accent and what kind of laminate top?

You know the kind when the maple is really lean...

So with a solid wenge neck, on top of ash or alder, what kind of accent and what kind of laminate top?

You know the kind when the maple is really lean...

That's hilarious!

I like bloodwood as a lamination, in either curly maple, or pretty much any body core/top combination

http://sdbguitars.com/prototype_neck_close.jpg

http://sdbguitars.com/prototype_left.jpg

Geez... thats pretty.

Have you ever use bloodwood as a top wood? most of the pieces I have seen have had a pretty plain looking grain, nothing bad, just nothing spectacular...

My favorite wood combo is whatever I'm working with at the time.....:p

Geez... thats pretty.

Have you ever use bloodwood as a top wood? most of the pieces I have seen have had a pretty plain looking grain, nothing bad, just nothing spectacular...

I"m working on a bass right now where the fingerboard has a slightly rippled "curly" grain. Shimmery in good light. I've also seen several instances where quartered bloodwood gets a longitudinal chatoyance, like quartered "ribbon-figured" mahogany... I don't think they are related at all, but they seem to share some minor similarities in grain structure (although bloodwood is MUCH heavier and harder than mahogany).

How did you join the neck on that singlecut, shawn? set neck?
Do you run the neck stock through a thickness planer or sander?

I realize there are demands for certain woods from the customer, but what do YOU like?

I like 5A quilted maple over swamp ash. I know, plain jane, but I still love it.

5a quilted is far from plain!!!!

How did you join the neck on that singlecut, shawn? set neck?
Do you run the neck stock through a thickness planer or sander?

I realize there are demands for certain woods from the customer, but what do YOU like?

The instrument you are asking about wasn't made for a customer. It is a prototype using woods that I keep around because I like them. I like spanish cedar for bodies, maple and bloodwood for necks. Nice looking woods for body tops (that singlecut has a spalted mumbanga top, at least, that's what it was sold as... haven't ever been able to positively identify it by sight...).

Customer's don't generally "demand" when it comes to a custom instrument, at least, mine haven't. They usually ask what wood sounds like what, and I tell them that I have no idea, as there is a HUGE variance from pieces of wood that are even cut from the same tree. I don't keep woods on hand for once-in-a-blue-moon orders... I keep maple (both straight-grained and curly), purpleheart, bloodwood, spanish cedar, alder, mahogany and sometimes ash in the shop, but nothing esoteric like myrtle, bubinga, cocobolo, limba, etc., I just don't have thed space. I custom-order that stuff when I need it.

Like this burled myrtle, per a customer's request:

http://sdbguitars.com/front_small.jpg

I would not have thought of myrtle, although it is pretty wood... just not where I was at, at that time. However, note the bloodwood laminations... that was a suggestion I made to him (because I like the look)

http://sdbguitars.com/body_edge.jpg

So, even on custom orders, I generally like the wood selections

Definitely a great wood combo!!! Thats such a great contrast, exactly what I was looking for!!!

So thats ash? core/bloodwood accent/myrtle burl top?
(writes it down)

Shawn, where do you get your myrtle from? I've been looking for a burl top, but don't have any local sources, and can't find any decent pieces on the net. :hmm:

So thats ash? core/bloodwood accent/myrtle burl top?
(writes it down)

Myrtle top [b]and back[b/], bloodwood accent, swamp ash body core...

Shawn, where do you get your myrtle from? I've been looking for a burl top, but don't have any local sources, and can't find any decent pieces on the net. :hmm:

I got it from Larry at Gallery Hardwoods... he always has the best woods. :bassist:

I have a few favs like black limba body, myrtlewood top and wenge or ebony accent lam between the two. White limba body, ebony top with matched ebony board and white Euro maple neck.

Thanks Larry,

Seeing so much beautiful wood coming from your shop is always a treat in the luthier's corner, and surprising choices as favorites as well. I haven't seen much black limba, or myrtlewood in my neck of the woods (pun intended), could you hook a brother up?

The only black Limba I have seen was on Wilsers tutorial build...
and it was NICE... seems pretty easy to work with too.

This is what I mean.....

Black limba body, wenge accent lam and Oregon Myrtlewood top.

Retirement means I get to do what I want, when I want :D

That's a good look, Larry... subtle, and tasteful.

Retirement? Hadn't heard *that*. Congratulations!

This is what I mean.....

Black limba body, wenge accent lam and Oregon Myrtlewood top.

Retirement means I get to do what I want, when I want :D

Wow that really flows... almost like the same species of wood, separated by the accent line. tasteful...

Thanks Larry,


The only black Limba I have seen was on Wilsers tutorial build...
and it was NICE... seems pretty easy to work with too.

Check out all of Alan Cringean (skelf) build threads on TB...I've shipped lots of Black (and white) Limba to him and he uses it good and proper. Also Google Ron Thorn Custom Guitars. Just finished up an order of about 100 black limba body blanks for Ron Thorn and delivered the last in May. He uses it almost exclusive on his Junior 90 series and his high end Artisan series (one piece bodies) and necks as well.

It carves and works great. Like all species, it comes in light, moderate and heavier versions.

That's a good look, Larry... subtle, and tasteful.

Retirement? Hadn't heard *that*. Congratulations!

Thanks Shawn!! Yep that's what it's all about. I was fortunate enough to make some good investments and good inventory accumulations and frankly just want to kick back and play for awhile. I'm still doing the acrylized woods and fingerboards and will actually expand these products. I still have the shop complex, 15,000# of amboyna burl and thuya burl and another quarter million $$ in private inventory. I'm researching good quality vacuum veneer presses to lay up thick sawn amboyna burl veneer tops on Russian plywood for the high end furniture industry as a "hobby". It's all about doing what I like to do to keep stress down. I've pretty much stopped taking custom orders (at least for the summer) because it keeps me "on duty" 24/7. I have some bass designs I'd like to pursue as well...

I've invested all my time (and two good girl friend relationships) into the business and now I NEED to reclaim some time for me. My best ex girlfriend has been coming up from Sacramento for visits and we're spending a week at the bottom of Mokoukoleme canyon fishing and gold dredging first week in September. Google Roaring Camp Gold Mining Company. I just got my pole out from 15 years storage and getting the gold dredge all tuned up. I spent a week there several years ago.


Sorry...back to topic now...

Wow Larry,

That sounds nice, I hope you have a great time. I'm looking forward to seeing those basses you build!!! No pressure though...

Just figured out that black limba is korina ... I feel dumb... :atoz:

Wow Larry,
Just figured out that black limba is korina ... I feel dumb... :atoz:

"Korina" generally refers to white limba because the name "korina" was a trademarked commercial name for limba lumber, plywood and veneer owned by US Plywood back in the 1950s. I think it's expired at this time.. When Leo dabbled in white limba for his Flying V, Explorers, Etc. it was generally known as korina and he used that name. He happened to have some white limba lumber laying around the shop and he was frugal!! Outside of the musical industry it is not referred to as korina for the most part. Limba never really caught on as a standard body wood because availability was very limited in those days (and today) and deliveries unpredictable. Mahogany was readily available and cheap so it became the standard. I waited two years for my last shipment which arrived last year and I was on a waiting list. There's a bit more on the market this year it seems.

The Limba looks great Larry, I might just have to listen to you for wood choices next time I order something :) (after your summer break, or for that matter, ever? I'm still confused as hell as to what your retirement consists of :atoz: )

One thing I know is I've always been jealous of Alan's wood choices, they're always so beautifuuulll!.

I would really like to get some more flame 1/4 sawn Black Limba like this I really love making necks with it.

Got any for me Larry? I also agree with your Black Limba Wenge, Myrtlewood Sammich! Very nice!

Yeah Larry,

not to be a bother, but could you hook me u with some nice bubinga (1/2 inch thick for a top) !!
That is, if it doesn't interfere with your retirement...

Jeff

hahahahaha....yes, that would interfere with my retirement :D :D

hahahahaha....yes, that would interfere with my retirement :D :D


:D

speaking of wood combos, menards has a large piece of maple with sweet flamin all the way through, but they also have a board of cherry that has realy interesting swily graining and a very light tan color. i am going to make a hollow body fretless with a color theme of bloodwood and a lighter wood, and the body will be cherry, fretboard will be bloodwood. what do you think would be a beter top, the cool grained cherry, or the flamed maple?

I have to admit a liking for lacewood. When I ordered my Sei, they just happened to have some in stock. The core is walnut, the accent lam is bolivar dyed claret.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/sevenstringbassist/Seidetailsmall2.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/sevenstringbassist/Seidetailsmall13.jpg
Photos courtesy of G.Jones

I love Lacewood, but I can never seem to find the kind that has that "fish scale" pattern, all the way through the grain...

I almost bought a new pre-gibson Tobias Killer B with a Lacewood top. Someone beat me to it... that was 15 years ago... Yikes! So that one piece of wood, has stuck in my mind as one of the most beautiful basses I've ever played.

I love Lacewood, but I can never seem to find the kind that has that "fish scale" pattern, all the way through the grain...

Like this??? That's a Skelf SC outline

I'm another of the folks that prefer unfussy wood combinations.

I'm currently drawn to wenge necks with maple stringers (probably because all my current basses have maple necks - some with stringers, some not - so it would be nice to have a different combination).

I also like plain black ebony for fingerboards, on both fretted and fretless basses, unsullied by position dots (edge markers are fine), and I'm keen to try a flat unradiused board.

For tops, I like tasteful woods with rich or interesting grain like Cocobolo, figured Maple (quilt, flame or birdseye - doesn't matter), Amboyna or something like the Lacewood on that gorgeous Sei (I would have an ebony fingerboard on that but hey). I like the top to cover the neck lams, although I also like the lams to be visible on the back.

I tend not to like the really wild spalts and burls so much and I'm not overly fond of sapwood breaking up the colour either - less is more

PS: I'm not that fond of wooden overkill either so, although I can appreciate the work that goes into them, wooden pu covers and wooden knobs always seem like too much to me - the hardware is what it is, why bother disguising it or dressing it up.

Wenge/Ebony if I want to pop out of the mix, and just plain old rosewood and maple if I want to be felt but not heard.

Some great lacewood there Larry !!

During my research for my Sei, I found out that lacewood is also called "London Plane". Plane trees are planted by Local Auhorities all over London as they grow very quickly. So when I was a kid, I was probably surrounded by them !!

I'm another of the folks that prefer unfussy wood combinations.

For tops, I like the top to cover the neck lams, although I also like the lams to be visible on the back.


I have the back lams covered by lacewood on my Sei as well.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/sevenstringbassist/Seidetailsmall22.jpg
Photo courtesy of G.Jones

Just for a change, the next bass I have (ACG 9) will have the back lams exposed.

very nice i love the scales look of lacewood . my favorite woods are bubinga i just love the colour, flamed maple natural and finished it looks great, walnut and my all time marcassar ebony(spelling) argh.. beautiful wood.

I have a piece of Xyila Lace. It has a bit of the lacewood look to it. Very dense and heavy that I will be using for fingerboards I think. Anybody use it before?

During my research for my Sei, I found out that lacewood is also called "London Plane". Plane trees are planted by Local Auhorities all over London as they grow very quickly. So when I was a kid, I was probably surrounded by them !!

Is that a fact? I've got a London Plane in my backyard that's growing too close to the house and I'm just about to call in some contractors to fell it for me.

Hmmmmmmm......{insert Jools' dreams of lacewood tops on all his basses here}

Like this??? That's a Skelf SC outline


Thats sooo nice.... Exactly what I was talking about!!!!

Is that a fact? I've got a London Plane in my backyard that's growing too close to the house and I'm just about to call in some contractors to fell it for me.

Hmmmmmmm......{insert Jools' dreams of lacewood tops on all his basses here}

You just need to find somewhere to slice it up into boards and dry it out !!