Macassar Ebony top on a semi-hollow body

[Son of Magni]

I'd like to hear from anyone that has had experience using Mac Ebony for tops. I'm planning a custom with a potential customer and this is one of the options he'd like. I'm a little concerned because I seem to remember hearing about a bass with an Ebony top spontaneously cracking when it was exposed to a fairly moderate temperature change.

[scottyd]

Wow, if that were true I would think that it being hollow body would make the chances of that happening even greater.

[Yellow]

Hi, my main bass is Mac Ebony top on walnut back. It is not hollow but I think what can make it crack is not so much moisture but if the top is thin and the back is much thicker and has big growth rings and if not sealed well will expand and contract at much different ratio then Mac Ebony top.
I dont have any problems with it at all, love my bass and love hard top like that too since it is very scratch resistant and looks nice too. may add some brightness but obviously lack the "mid-hump" I think it haS an inherent mid scoop ( I hope Wilser does not see this thread)

[eleonn]

Originally Posted by Yellow

may add some brightness but obviously lack the "mid-hump" I think it haS an inherent mid scoop ( I hope Wilser does not see this thread)

He will charge you for this!!!

[luzceloffan]

Originally Posted by eleonn

He will charge you for this!!!

+1

[scottyd]

Hmmmm mid scoop eh?

[PaleMelanesian]

I have a Mac ebony - topped bass. Neck-thru with ebony on the wings. Not unlike Yellow's bass above. No trouble with cracking or anything like that, even over the large control cavity. It's about 1/4 inch thick.

I think you'll be fine with a semi-hollow. I wouldn't do a full hollowbody top, though. You might try doing several smaller chambers instead of one large one, for more gluing surface and support for the top.

Ebony does shift with the seasons more than other woods. The neck on this bass, with its ebony fretboard, shifts back and forth with the weather. It's predictable and adjustable, just something to be aware of. The same shifting hasn't caused any problems on the body, even after 9 years.



Mid-scoop? Yep. Combine that with an SWR amp and I'm boosting the low mids every time I play. *shrug* My next one is using wenge instead.

[DanielM]

Skelf has also made nice bass with a Mac Ebony top, try contacting him. pretty nice bass too.

[FBB Custom]

People use macassary for backs and sides on acoustics. Proper seasoning and wood selection are probably the most important considerations.

If you can manage a little extra weight perhaps you could get Larry at Gallery to stabilize the wood. That stuff does not crack. Not sure if he can do pieces of the size you need but worth checking if you are worried.

[Yellow]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

I have a Mac ebony - topped bass. Neck-thru with ebony on the wings. Not unlike Yellow's bass above. No trouble with cracking or anything like that, even over the large control cavity. It's about 1/4 inch thick.

I think you'll be fine with a semi-hollow. I wouldn't do a full hollowbody top, though. You might try doing several smaller chambers instead of one large one, for more gluing surface and support for the top.

Ebony does shift with the seasons more than other woods. The neck on this bass, with its ebony fretboard, shifts back and forth with the weather. It's predictable and adjustable, just something to be aware of. The same shifting hasn't caused any problems on the body, even after 9 years.



Mid-scoop? Yep. Combine that with an SWR amp and I'm boosting the low mids every time I play. *shrug* My next one is using wenge instead.

Hey this is really nice looking Mac Ebony accent on this body I like this touch, not totally covered but kind of just a touch. very cool.

[PaleMelanesian]

Thanks. The only thing I'd change would be the forearm cut - I would not cut it off quite so much. Make it more symmetric with the lower side.

[Alex]

Mac Ebony looks so cool, but it is so hard to find other woods that look good paired with it.

[DoctorX]

Very nice bass....verrrrrry nice. I second the comments about the ebony accent.

Doctor X