Figured tops???

bassman74 · #1 03-09-2007, 07:39 PM

Hi guys, i'm looking for suggestions, I want to had a little clarity and look to an alder body, which top do you suggest? Any preference?

T2W · #2 03-09-2007, 08:11 PM

Spalted Maple?

Non, c'est une farce Francois. Je crois m'etre trouver un projet a faire avec. Redonne moi des nouvelles svp. a+

Musiclogic · #3 03-09-2007, 11:05 PM

clarity as in sound? what have you seen that you like the looks of?

since we're adding french quotes....."plus ca change, plus cest la meme chose....LOL

thumbin · #4 03-09-2007, 11:08 PM

I like figured snakewood

bassman74 · #5 03-10-2007, 05:41 AM

I should have used the word tighter instead of clarity. Most of the time when i'm hearing maple top basses they use a softer wood under the top, like alder or spanish cedar. Correct me if i'm wrong. I think that the maple top is bringing thightness or clarity to the sound it is a little bit less boomy then a full alder or spanish cedar body.

wsal · #6 03-10-2007, 05:57 AM

Hi there. Gidgee is an Australian wood that I've recently discovered if you want something a bit less common/more individual. Can't comment on sound but I've read that its particularly hard (its used for fretboards/fretless boards here in Australia) so that might lend itself to brightness/clarity...
Have a look at some of these (small) samples in this ebay store for an idea of what's possible...

http://search.ebay.com.au/_W0QQsassZbushworkerQQhtZ-1

bassman74 · #7 03-10-2007, 06:22 AM

thank you WSAL very nice looking wood. The wood itself may be innexoensive but i'm afraid of shipping cost, i'll try to find some here in the states or in canada. Thanks again, Cool wood grain!

tribal3140 · #8 03-10-2007, 09:59 AM

something mid to high density. anything that could make a fretboard
Ie
bubinga, hard maple, rosewood

**Rodent** · #9 03-10-2007, 11:00 AM

in my experience, adding a 1/4" BM top has less impact on the overall sound of a bass than you will get by moving your plucking hand 1/2" towards/away from the bridge. exceptions might be if you did something extreme like using Balsa - but then who would really do that?

a 1/4" thick slab of fretboard wood I can hear having some impact on the overall tone, but not a BM top from woods most of the commonly used boutique basses employ

just my $.02

all the best,

R

bassman74 · #10 03-10-2007, 12:46 PM

Nice comments Rodent. So, does it worth the cost? Is better to keep money for better components, let say pickups? We all know that pickup can do a drastic change in the sound department.
So can we honnestly say that Figured tops are the look not exactly for the sound?

**Rodent** · #11 03-10-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman74

So, does it worth the cost? Is better to keep money for better components, let say pickups? We all know that pickup can do a drastic change in the sound department.
So can we honnestly say that Figured tops are the look not exactly for the sound?

well, this is really a judgement call that only a customer can place the final value on IMO. if two basses sound equally stellar, and one is a solid color while the other has an insanely figured top, some customers will prefer one over the other and some will consider them equal. for those who prefer a figured top, then for them it is worth the extra cost. it's all part of what we do in working with a client to aide them in achieving their dream bass.

as for hearing the difference between a figured top and just body wood, you also have to consider how thick the top is. a 1/2" top will have more of an impact than a 1/8" top which will have more impact than a .04" veneer. in a sunburst finish with opaque sides they all look pretty much the same. Eric Johnson can hear the difference when his cable is plugged in A-B vs B-A ... I cannot. what I hear may or may not be able to be heard by another. we hear a lot of what we want to hear IMO

all the best,

R

Bryan316 · #12 03-11-2007, 09:50 PM

Darn... I'm fighting my urge to crack some French-Canadian jokes, cuz half of my close family is up in Sault Ste. Marie, including my two godchildren... can't.... harass..... Canadians......

*snicker*

Why not make it with some FROGWOOD!?!?

ARGH! Damnit I'm terrible! I'm ashamed of myself... go figure, me livin' in a town that was a French colony...

Somebody spank me.

Anyways, can you link some pictures of basses that you like the looks of? What kind of figuring do you want? Do you like really pronounced grain patterns, or do you want the refractive look of figured maple? Zebrawood is always outstanding and I've heard great basses made with it, spalted maple is a more dramatic look, birdseye and burled maple are such elegant yet rare look...

Show us pictures of basses that appeal to you, and we can tell you what they are.

bassman74 · #13 03-12-2007, 07:09 AM

Here's my favorite frogwood:

I like zebrawood
i just tried an alder body zebra top bass, = killer sound
I also like Myrtle, burl and claro walnut, flamed and spalted maple.

Thanks for your help guys.

Bryan316 · #14 03-12-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman74

i just tried an alder body zebra top bass, = killer sound

You played the same bass as I did! Heh heh. Really rippy, snarling with lots of midrange strength. The contrast of color between the hard and soft grain is wonderful. You can't get that with staining.

If you like flamed maple, how would you want it? Traditional Les Paul perfectly symmetrical, or V-shaped pattern?

bassman74 · #15 03-14-2007, 06:47 PM

totally symetrical, with a contrasting stain to get a 3d effect.

what would you do?

Bryan316 · #16 03-15-2007, 02:50 PM

I'm working on this finish for mine:

{img]http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9308/alcoholsealinglacqueryehb5.jpg[/img]

For my bass:
Fire-staining disgruntles me. Large, horrible pics inside...

bassman74 · #17 03-16-2007, 01:28 PM

Nice Work Bryan, i really do like it. I like the 3d effect....
GOOD JOB!