planning first build

Hermit · #1 06-05-2005, 03:25 PM

Looking at all the bass porn that's been posted here, I've inevitably caught the lutherie bug... and so I plan to build the following:

- 4-string tenor, fretted
- Flame koa top, swamp ash core, flatsawn maple neck, gaboon ebony fingerboard and control cavity cover, and gold hardware
- bartolini jazz pups w/ obp-1 preamp

I guess what I'm asking for here is comments on the design and wood choices, as well as any helpful tips you think I might not've come across thus far.

Bigwig · #2 06-05-2005, 08:01 PM

its times like this i wish i knew something about design,
but that body shape is stuning, be sure to post a picture of the finished product.

Cerb · #3 06-05-2005, 09:56 PM

Being that I'm still building my first (I think we caught the same bug), I can't really give you much help. But I'm with Bigwig. That body is shape is great.

parttimeluthier · #4 06-05-2005, 11:32 PM

Hermit, sounds like it will make a beautiful bass. I am just wondering since you mentioned you were using a flatsawn neck when the "Quartersawn Neck Nazis" will respond to your post; As there seems to be quite alot of debate over flatsawn VS. quartersawn necks here at TalkBass. As far as I'm concerned its more how nicely the neck is made and designed rather than a question of it's being flat or quartersawn. After all hundreds of thousands of Fenders in daily use cant be wrong!

wilser · #5 06-06-2005, 07:46 AM

well, not 'wrong'! If you check out the thread over at gallery hardwood's forum (flatsawn vs quartersawn) you'll get the impression of a lot of people. A quartered neck is certainly stronger, there's no debate about that, but how strong does it need to be. As you said, Fenders are out there, and most have a flatsawn neck. But also there are hundreds of them with twists and bows that are unfixable. As for my opinion, I have no preference as I always use carbon fiber to stiffen them out, my only request is that the wood is pretty.

Hermit · #6 06-06-2005, 01:22 PM

Yeah, about the flatsawn thing... I just seem to prefer it visually. From the research I've done, the stability of maple doesn't vary too much between flatsawn and quartersawn. I'm sure other woods behave quite differently.