Diamondwood fingerboard?

jzucker · #1 08-04-2006, 09:57 AM

I love the DW fingerboard on my lg3005 fretless.

I'm still trying to figure out the configuration of a custom 3006. I really want it to be light weight and not neck heavy. How does diamondwood compare to maple and purpleheart in terms of weight?

What woods would be my best bet to get a lightweight 6 string bass?

(Of course, it's got to sound good too!)

Gard · #2 08-04-2006, 10:11 AM

Jaz, unless you want a fretless, it's not an option. We do not do fretted diamondwood boards, sorry.

jzucker · #3 08-04-2006, 10:19 AM

So maple fingerboard's going to be my lightest option?

HELLonWheels187 · #4 08-04-2006, 02:00 PM

Balsa is lighter than maple.

Bassmanbob · #5 08-04-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HELLonWheels187

Balsa is lighter than maple.

I've been laughing for at least a solid minute with that. I could just see the strings on a fretless dig into the balsa on its first playing or the frets crushing into the fretboard.

J: Sorry I can't help you on this one, but that balsa comment was great!

If it's a fretless you're going with, nothing else plays and sounds like diamondwood. It's what I have on my fretless SKB-3005. I think it would be worth the weight if it is an issue, but I don't know how it compares to other fingerboard woods weightwise.

jzucker · #6 08-04-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmanbob

I've been laughing for at least a solid minute with that. I could just see the strings on a fretless dig into the balsa on its first playing or the frets crushing into the fretboard.

J: Sorry I can't help you on this one, but that balsa comment was great!

If it's a fretless you're going with, nothing else plays and sounds like diamondwood. It's what I have on my fretless SKB-3005. I think it would be worth the weight if it is an issue, but I don't know how it compares to other fingerboard woods weightwise.

I already have the fretless with diamondwood and it's absolutely wonderful. I'm looking for a compliment to my maple FB 3006, and possibly something with 17mm string spacing and/or 34" scale. But it seems that a lot of the SKB-3006 basses I've played are fairly heavy (except for the maple-neck one I already have)

I'll also be using the newer bass quite a bit for solo playing so I want a narrower fingerboard and since I'm tuning E-E, the 34 will probably work better and make for a little better balance.

Maple's probably the lightest of the hardwoods roscoe uses for FBs but I don't know if I want another maple neck SKB. I'd kind of like a different tone for variety's sake...

jzucker · #7 08-04-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HELLonWheels187

Balsa is lighter than maple.

How about a 6 string with basswood neck, balsa fingerboard?

wujuu · #8 08-05-2006, 05:20 AM

purpleheart?

jzucker · #9 08-05-2006, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wujuu

purpleheart?

very heavy wood. much heavier than maple and probably heavier than rosewood or ebony too.

Bassmanbob · #10 08-05-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

How about a 6 string with basswood neck, balsa fingerboard?

I bet Pete Townsend would like it if he played bass.

jzucker · #11 08-05-2006, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmanbob

I bet Pete Townsend would like it if he played bass.

Actually, the parker fly guitar has a basswood neck, I believe.

I prefer maple/purpleheart myself...

Bassmanbob · #12 08-06-2006, 07:01 AM

You probably figured this out, but I was thinking it would smash easily.

jzucker · #13 08-06-2006, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmanbob

You probably figured this out, but I was thinking it would smash easily.

Yeah, I know.

00Funk · #14 11-05-2006, 07:20 PM

Ive decided, I dont like roundwounds w/a fretless.

Its futile I say, futile.

For the last year Ive used stainless rounds on my diamond board.

Its pretty groovy to say the least.

Im going with GHS brite flats, next string change. maybe then, i'll get some mawh.

My question is, what can I buy at home depot, to sand my board back into shape ? What sandpaper shoud i buy ?
Should I put the sandpaper on a block, or do it by hand ?

**T. B. Player** · #15 11-06-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00Funk

Ive decided, I dont like roundwounds w/a fretless.

Its futile I say, futile.

For the last year Ive used stainless rounds on my diamond board.

Its pretty groovy to say the least.

Im going with GHS brite flats, next string change. maybe then, i'll get some mawh.

My question is, what can I buy at home depot, to sand my board back into shape ? What sandpaper shoud i buy ?
Should I put the sandpaper on a block, or do it by hand ?

Probably the only thing worse than balsa would be balsa with roundwounds. If you're unsure, I would recommend taking it to a luthier before working on it yourself. Ask if you can watch.

JZ - go for the maple. Can't wait to get enough together to do a 34 Century VI with Diamondwood fretless - I just might have to sell that original Music Man Fretless to get to do it.

BTW - Just picked up a Washburn J-6 Wes Montgomery Big Box Jazz Guitar - it's INCREDIBLE for next to nothing. Can't believe it. Since you're in jazz gtr circles too, any assistance you can provide to help me move my Artcore AG75 w/hsc would be most welcomed! Thanks!

We now return you to your originally scheduled programme....

The other Z

**T. B. Player** · #16 11-06-2006, 06:36 PM

I think you get the design of the year award for your myspace. The pictures just "pop" with that background. One of these days gotta do something with mine (oh yeah - and record some music too - the production computer's been in the shop since JULY!)