Another help me choose my options post

jtallent · #1 02-10-2008, 01:36 PM

Sorry for, yes, another wood question.

I've tried searching and haven't quite gotten all of the answers I'm looking for.

As for fretboard woods, I hear conflicting things regarding the difference between Pau Ferro and Rosewood. I keep hearing/reading that they are the same thing, but if that is the case why is there an up-charge for Pau Ferro? In addition, what does the Spalted Bolivian Rosewood bring to the equation? Is it simply a spalted version of the standard rosewood? Does it sound different? Does anyone have pictures of a spalted rosewood fingerboard on their bass? I'm trying to decide between these three and am feeling kind of overwhelmed by choices.

I may be trying to ask too many things in one thread, but can someone give some tonal descriptions to the different pre/pickup combinations. Part of me thinks stick with the standard bart/bart configuration; however, I'm also intrigued by the Audere/Nord combination or Audere/Bart which I'm sure all sound completely different. To help out a bit, I'm looking for a versatile bass with a fat and warm sound and although I don't slap often, I'd like it to be equally at home in that tonal realm as well. If it helps, I was planning on going with the Spanish cedar body with a myrtle burl top wood and one of the fretboards mentioned above.

Thanks a ton for any help that can be offered!

-Justin

Jeff Moote · #2 02-10-2008, 05:44 PM

I'll leave the rosewood discussion to others, as it's not really my area of expertise.

My Roscoe has a spanish cedar body, myrtle burl top and the Audere/Nord combo, which sounds pretty close to one option you're considering. Fat and warm is a guarantee with this combo. I have an ebony fingerboard which adds a lot of snap, but with something soft you'll easily get some of the warmer tones you might be after.

The stock Bart/Bart electronics are great too, but the Nordstrand pickups are my favorite choice having owned both.

JOME77 · #3 02-11-2008, 04:58 AM

Pau Ferro is a much harder wood than rosewood. It's actually a nice wood for fretless finger boards. I would think that it would sound more like Ebony.
I don't thin that you'd notice much difference in the tone of rosewood and spalted (or sapwood) rosewood. I've owned one Roscoe with the spalted rosewood finger board. That was actually my first Roscoe. It also had an ash body and the Bart/Bart combo. Great sounding bass but I prefer a bit warmer tone.
Pesonally, I wouldn't spend a lot of thought tone wise on the finger board for a Roscoe. It's very thin a probably contributes the least amount to the tone of any wood choices (although it can contribute some to the stiffness of the neck).
IMO, Jeff's bass with the Spanish cedar body, Nord p/u's and Audere pre probably offers a perfect blend for a Roscoe.
The Nords are very clear and bright sounding on an ash bodied bass IMO. If you're into an "in your face tone" that's it. The new solid maple bodied Roscoe with the Nord/Audere combo that I just acquired is much smoother sounding than the ash.
The Spanish cedar body is probably perfect for the Nord p/u's. Warm meets clear.

Halftooth · #4 02-11-2008, 09:07 AM

IMO, if you're considering RW as a FB, look at Cocobolo as an option...great tone and stability from the ones I've come in contact with.

xkimsungminx · #5 02-11-2008, 11:17 AM

+1 on the Cocobolo option. I'd say Pau Ferro and Cocobolo look pretty similar and I guess feel similar too, but if you can get the Cocobolo, I'd get it over the Pau Ferro haha probaby only because it costs more. My Roscoe has the Pau Ferro board and the Nordstrand NJ6 Deluxe I just sold recently had a Cocobolo board.

jtallent · #6 02-12-2008, 06:55 PM

I've been a little slow getting back to the thread but thanks for the info and suggestions. I'm still torn with the fretboard but definitely feeling the Nord/Audere combo (too bad they cost so much ... you only live once right?) I'm also feeling more and more confident in my thoughts on the Spanish Cedar as well. Thanks again!

JOME77 · #7 02-13-2008, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halftooth

IMO, if you're considering RW as a FB, look at Cocobolo as an option...great tone and stability from the ones I've come in contact with.

+1

I'm really digging the new 3005 with cocobolo finger board and Wedge neck!

Gard · #8 02-13-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOME77

+1

I'm really digging the new 3005 with cocobolo finger board and Wedge neck!

...how many does that make now, Joe?

jtallent, you're getting a lot of good information here, if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me and I'll be happy to help...

Jeff Moote · #9 02-14-2008, 08:14 PM

I do love me some cocobolo for the fretboard. I think Cedar/Myrtle/Cocobolo with Nord/Audere would be an absolutely killin' bass, and give you a lot of what you're after

then again, that's basically my bass minus the wenge neck laminate, with a cocobolo fretboard instead of ebony

**T. B. Player** · #10 02-15-2008, 05:18 PM

Just checked out a ton of YouTube vids - and got stuck on ones featuring Nordstrand pickups.

A bit more highs than Barts can provide, IMO. I'll bet a Nordie/Audere-pre combination with the traditional Cedar back (and maybe a mahogany top) would have a little less "bite" than and Ash/maple top combination, but the tone (and variability) would be incredible.

Just a thought....

Z

**T. B. Player** · #11 02-15-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Moote

I do love me some cocobolo for the fretboard. I think Cedar/Myrtle/Cocobolo with Nord/Audere would be an absolutely killin' bass, and give you a lot of what you're after

oooooh.....

.....that WOULD be nice!!

A coco board with a quilt maple top (and natural gloss finish) provides a stunning contrast. I think there's some figured myrtle out there too - let me check....

Yeah - thought so...
http://www.blueberryhillbass.com/roscoe.htm

That first top on Jay's list of choices would be stunning with a coco board!!

Proof I'm on these sites WAAAAAYYYYY too much!!

Z

JOME77 · #12 02-16-2008, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Moote

I do love me some cocobolo for the fretboard. I think Cedar/Myrtle/Cocobolo with Nord/Audere would be an absolutely killin' bass, and give you a lot of what you're after

Absolutely!

I could be wrong but based on owning a couple soild maple Roscoe's and one soild myrtle, I believe that maple and myrtle sound very similar.

For my tastes, the Cedar body/Myrtle top/Cocobolo FB or Cedar body/maple top/Cocobolo FB would probably be the ultimate wood combo with the Nords.
I do really like the clarity of the tone of my solid maple though. It's some where between the cedar and ash body which is real nice!

Not as harsh in the upper mids as ash and bit more definition in the lows than cedar.

**T. B. Player** · #13 02-16-2008, 08:35 PM

What about a spalt purpleheart board?

Less snap than a maple, but more attack than a rosewood? Compared to the coco?

There's one of these out there on the 'bay right now (blue finish with the purpleheart board is just gorgeous IMO)...would just have to replace the pups and the eq from Bart/Bart to Nordie/Audere....

jtallent · #14 02-18-2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. B. Player

What about a spalt purpleheart board?

I definitely like the look but I think I'm going to stick with the Pau Ferro. I can't really place why the purpleheart isn't for me ... even if it does look cool. Oh well. From what I've heard, of all of the options, I'm probably the most psyched about the Nord/Audere combo. Thanks for all of the suggestions. I can't wait!

Hopefully I'll place the order this week ... and then prepare myself for a long wait.

CrashClint · #15 02-18-2008, 09:12 PM

I love my spalted purpleheart fingerboard!!!