wenge necks?

nklsnkls · #1 05-09-2011, 11:14 AM

hey folks... i'm putting together a custom jazz bass right now and i'm getting a neck from warmoth. i'm really interested in getting a wenge neck w/ a rosewood fingerboard on an ash body. has anyone used this combo before? i'm a little nervous about it being unbalanced / too heavy.

i really love the traditional maple necks, but i'm looking to get a really warm sound, even a little dirty, without it getting too sloppy. i want the versatility, but i'm not a heavily chordal or high-register player. i've read a bunch, but i'd kind of like real world advice. any help?

**line6man** · #2 05-09-2011, 11:26 AM

Most Wenge necks I have seen have been paired with Ebony boards.

nklsnkls · #3 05-09-2011, 11:29 AM

i've seen that a lot, too, but i'm pretty into rosewood. i'm mostly unsure about the ash / wenge combo.

shwashwa · #4 05-09-2011, 01:35 PM

i have a wenge neck with a pao ferro fingerboard. the balance is great. actually its the best balanced bass i own

**line6man** · #5 05-09-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nklsnkls

i've seen that a lot, too, but i'm pretty into rosewood. i'm mostly unsure about the ash / wenge combo.

I've seen a few Ash bodied guitars with Wenge necks.
I can't recall if I've seen any basses.

Swamp Ash / Wenge Strat

darkstorm · #6 05-09-2011, 05:50 PM

Wenge with rosewood fretboard could be nice woody tone imo. But could tend toward muddy moreso then maple with rosewood board if the pups are at all prone to mud in low end. Ovangkol neck with rosewood fretboard would be better choice tone wise imo. Ovangkol being little brighter then wenge but not as much as maple imo.

**line6man** · #7 05-09-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Wenge with rosewood fretboard could be nice woody tone imo. But could tend toward muddy moreso then maple with rosewood board if the pups are at all prone to mud in low end. Ovangkol neck with rosewood fretboard would be better choice tone wise imo. Ovangkol being little brighter then wenge but not as much as maple imo.

Warmoth doesn't offer Ovangkol.

simandlhandle · #8 05-09-2011, 06:03 PM

Have a look at Scott Devine showing his Overwater 5 string on u-tube. Wenge neck, ash body.

lord twat · #9 05-12-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

I've seen a few Ash bodied guitars with Wenge necks.
I can't recall if I've seen any basses.

Swamp Ash / Wenge Strat

That guitar is AWESOME!!!

Fliptrique · #10 05-12-2011, 03:50 PM

I have a bass with that exact wood combination + a flame maple top and 2 padouk neck lams:

It has a even, punchy and direct tone to it. Sounds great with mild distortion in a rock band setting and does the hi-fi thing really well. Mine is around 10,5 lb - not really lightweight, but not bad either. Balances perfectly.

Would not call it warm sounding though - might not be the best wood combo for that.