I need youz guy's help! Gard too!

RTL · #1 08-12-2009, 01:32 PM

Alright.. That dramatic title should stir up some attention..

So, I'm going to be ordering a new Roscoe in the next couple of months but I need help getting the specs laid out!

I've already pretty much decided this much:

LG 3005 - Fretted
Swamp Ash body
Most likely, Bartolini CB's
Not sure on the pre - but leaning toward Bartolini
Black or Black & Gold hardware
Clear finish - to display the beautiful woodness!

I love the look of the Wenge wedge neck, but haven't experienced how one sounds firsthand.

Also, fingerboard.. I do enjoy Birdseye maple (especially the TONE of it), but I am falling hard for anything with a ton of sapwood in it. Anything strikingly similar tone-wise to maple?

Top wood is.. Well.. Ugh! This is the hardest part. I LOVE the Amboyna/Spanish Cedar/Swamp Ash LG-3005 at Bass Emporium, but it'll be gone before I have all the cash to make that happen. At the same time, I don't want to spec out a copy of something that already exists.

I love natural woods with a lot of character in them. For reference, I have a Buckeye Burl LG already, and an Elrick in burled Tasmanian Rose Myrtle. I guess you could say I have a thing for burled woods. Maple tops are out - I've owned plenty of those. Not a fan of really dark woods like Walnut and whatnot (I love natural figuring). I do love Koa, Amboyna, etc. Oh, and I'll definitely want to have the 12th fret inlay match the top wood and headstock!

Okay, guys.. Let's build me a bass!

PS: Oh, and there are some woods (Like Thuya, Imbuia, Madrone, etc.) that I have never even seen. So.. Yeah.. If you have one with a really cool top, show it off!

Gard · #2 08-12-2009, 01:40 PM

Well...how 'bout we discuss what kind of sound you're shootin' for as well? That may help us answer some things as much as the look you're going for...

RTL · #3 08-12-2009, 02:00 PM

Well, I really dig the Bart CB/Bart combination on a Swamp Ash body. Describing what kind of sound I'm going for is always something that gives me a little trouble. Basically, every LG3005 I've played with a swamp ash body and Bart CB's/Bart pre is as close to perfect as it gets for me. If it helps, these all had birdseye maple fretboards

I love the growl, punch, and grunt that the bridge pickup solo'd can get with this setup. I like the Audere pre, but I still like the Bartolini better. I use the bridge pickup by itself 90% of the time... I like articulation and clarity as well.. I dunno..

So.. I dunno. Does that help?

jimb213 · #4 08-12-2009, 02:20 PM

Elrick, eh? Chuck got to you, didn't he?

I haven't seen that amboyna bass, or the buckeye, so it may just be time for me to head back there to see what's what...

...other than that I don't really have anything to add... my basses have a walnut top, and no top (solid swamp ash), so my taste is probably not quite in line with yours... but as for fancy tops, I love spalted wood and burled wood... I like how they generally lack pattern. Tone-wise, I haven't a clue...

Gard · #5 08-12-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

Well, I really dig the Bart CB/Bart combination on a Swamp Ash body. Describing what kind of sound I'm going for is always something that gives me a little trouble. Basically, every LG3005 I've played with a swamp ash body and Bart CB's/Bart pre is as close to perfect as it gets for me. If it helps, these all had birdseye maple fretboards

I love the growl, punch, and grunt that the bridge pickup solo'd can get with this setup. I like the Audere pre, but I still like the Bartolini better. I use the bridge pickup by itself 90% of the time... I like articulation and clarity as well.. I dunno..

So.. I dunno. Does that help?

...so, out of curiosity, have you tried out one of the Century Standards yet?

RTL · #6 08-12-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimb213

Elrick, eh? Chuck got to you, didn't he?

I haven't seen that amboyna bass, or the buckeye, so it may just be time for me to head back there to see what's what...

...other than that I don't really have anything to add... my basses have a walnut top, and no top (solid swamp ash), so my taste is probably not quite in line with yours... but as for fancy tops, I love spalted wood and burled wood... I like how they generally lack pattern. Tone-wise, I haven't a clue...

The Amboyna bass is pure magic!!!!!!! I fall in love with it every tuesday afternoon. The only thing I'd do differently is the hardware. That bass needs black!

As far as the Elrick goes, I usually don't mess with them, because the necks were just too wide for me. This one was different, though. I actually picked it up on my own, because I was (at first) drawn to its appearance, but Chuck did absolutely nothing to talk me out of it!

RTL · #7 08-12-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

...so, out of curiosity, have you tried out one of the Century Standards yet?

You bet I have! They sound great, feel great, and play great. Unfortunately, I'm shallow and have a fetish for finely carved lines and matching headstocks.. Also, I think I'm incapable of living without two bands of switchable midrange control.

Darkstrike · #8 08-12-2009, 02:36 PM

Ooh, can they get you a white wenge top, certantly be one of a kind!

RTL · #9 08-12-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Ooh, can they get you a white wenge top, certantly be one of a kind!

WHITE WENGE?!?!?!?

I love you, Darkstrike.. Even if you are from Ireland..

Gard · #10 08-12-2009, 03:01 PM

...grumblegrumblegrumblegrumble...freakin' Irish, always causing trouble...grumblegrumblegrumblegrumble...

Oh, and RTL, the Century Standards do have the same two bands of midrange available as do the LG/SKB standard preamps - it's the same exact preamp.

However, I totally understand (and support) your desire for fancy woods and carved tops!

RTL · #11 08-12-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

...grumblegrumblegrumblegrumble...freakin' Irish, always causing trouble...grumblegrumblegrumblegrumble...

Oh, and RTL, the Century Standards do have the same two bands of midrange available as do the LG/SKB standard preamps - it's the same exact preamp.

However, I totally understand (and support) your desire for fancy woods and carved tops!

Really? I could have sworn that the couple of Standards I played had a two band (bass/treble) boost only dealie.

VroomVroom · #12 08-12-2009, 03:11 PM

Speaking from my experience, myrtle on top of ash is a delicious treat...for the eyes and the ears. Match that action with a spalted purpleheart board, and you've got the icing on your cake.

Gard · #13 08-12-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

Really? I could have sworn that the couple of Standards I played had a two band (bass/treble) boost only dealie.

No sireebob!

The preamp on the Century Standard is the very same Bartolini NTMB that is the base preamp on everything else.

Darkstrike · #14 08-12-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

WHITE WENGE?!?!?!?

I love you, Darkstrike.. Even if you are from Ireland..

Hahaha, its my biggest failing........

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

...grumblegrumblegrumblegrumble...freakin' Irish, always causing trouble...grumblegrumblegrumblegrumble...

Trouble, eh?

I'll just leave these here.....

RTL · #15 08-12-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Speaking from my experience, myrtle on top of ash is a delicious treat...for the eyes and the ears. Match that action with a spalted purpleheart board, and you've got the icing on your cake.

Wow. I remember seeing this one before.. That's absolutely stunning, Jerry! Now is this the combination that will make me as good as you are?

RTL · #16 08-12-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Hahaha, its my biggest failing........

Trouble, eh?

I'll just leave these here.....

Oh, you know I'll just have to ask Gard about this!

Darkstrike · #17 08-12-2009, 03:30 PM

He's not busy anyway, yet!

VroomVroom · #18 08-12-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

Now is this the combination that will make me as good as you are?

Ha! You don't want that, for sure....have Gard inject a little extra mojo so you can dial out sloppy notes, rushing, etc.

Seriously - this bass had me at 'hello'. In the flesh it's actually really subtle until you get up close. The tones of the top and fingerboard are so complementary and fairly well muted that people do double-takes when first seeing it. Not because of shock & awe, but rather it seems like their eyes caught more than they expected and they have to look back to confirm. Not sure if that makes sense. It's like people see it and say to themselves, "Hmm. Nice instrument. WHOA! NICE instrument!"

And the sound? It's got a full dose of Roscoeness, yet it's also quite unique. The sweetly compressed lows/low mids with some growl in the upper mids make for an incredible voice. Anyway...just a thought since you seemed to indicate you're looking for something a bit different. This is my first experience with myrtle, and I'm just glad I got this one before someone else came along.

RTL · #19 08-12-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Ha! You don't want that, for sure....have Gard inject a little extra mojo so you can dial out sloppy notes, rushing, etc.

Seriously - this bass had me at 'hello'. In the flesh it's actually really subtle until you get up close. The tones of the top and fingerboard are so complementary and fairly well muted that people do double-takes when first seeing it. Not because of shock & awe, but rather it seems like their eyes caught more than they expected and they have to look back to confirm. Not sure if that makes sense. It's like people see it and say to themselves, "Hmm. Nice instrument. WHOA! NICE instrument!"

And the sound? It's got a full dose of Roscoeness, yet it's also quite unique. The sweetly compressed lows/low mids with some growl in the upper mids make for an incredible voice. Anyway...just a thought since you seemed to indicate you're looking for something a bit different. This is my first experience with myrtle, and I'm just glad I got this one before someone else came along.

Thanks a lot, Jerry! This helps a great deal!

And Gard, if you're listening:THAT is the sound I'm looking for! Something that speaks the way Jerry described his.

Can anyone give me some idea as to what the Myrtle top adds to the tone? Or is it more neutral like Buckeye Burl?

Gard · #20 08-12-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTL

Thanks a lot, Jerry! This helps a great deal!

And Gard, if you're listening:THAT is the sound I'm looking for! Something that speaks the way Jerry described his.

Can anyone give me some idea as to what the Myrtle top adds to the tone? Or is it more neutral like Buckeye Burl?

It's definitely not like Buckeye tonally - imagine "wet" sounding maple, that's kinda what I hear with myrtle...

...and the white wenge or ya-ya I'm looking into, it sure looks cool!