"Tone Bastard" build progress

[Greenman]

New bass in progress.
Specs (may change as I go):
1/4" flame bookmatched drop top on 1 1/2" poplar.
Black dyed top, solid black back polyurethane gloss finish.
Warmoth rosewood on maple, blocked and binded 4 string neck.
Brass nut, Hipshot ultralite tuners.
Nordstrand fatstack pickups.
J-Retro Delux preamp.
Custom made bridge with Graph-Tech saddles sitting on inlayed brass contact plate.
Rottosound flatwound thru body strings.
Black/white/black pick guard.

Post pics as they happen.

Thanks

[NamelessOne]

why poplar?

also, why the name?

looks cool so far, and i like black dyed flame, so it should look even cooler when it's done.

[Greenman]

Originally Posted by NamelessOne

why poplar?

It's easy for me to get, comes dressed 4 sides and ready to glue. Also doing a google for "bass body tone wood" and poplar came up a few times including MTD.
As far as the name-- Just a name.

I have no idea how this bass will sound. If anyone can coment on how they thick it will sound my ears are open.

[Rogier]

Go for it! I think it will sound nicely- not too aggressive. I thought even fodera used the wood as a top. Let me know how it turns out...

[Frank Martin]

If it was my bass, I'd do blueburst on the top and black on the back - the ones I've seen so far were really beautiful

Poplar is used quite widely - both by cheaper basses (like Ibanez, Jackson, etc) and by high-end, like MTD, under the name of "tulipwood" (might be a bit different, but its the same spp)

[FBB Custom]

Originally Posted by Frank Martin

Poplar is used quite widely - both by cheaper basses (like Ibanez, Jackson, etc) and by high-end, like MTD, under the name of "tulipwood" (might be a bit different, but its the same spp)

Common poplar is genus populus. Tulip poplar is genus liriodendron. I don't think it will have a serious impact on how your bass will sound. Just picking nits.

[g00eY]

i'm using poplar on my bass right now. i bought it for the same reason: it's easy for me to get. i'm not sure what my Carvin is made of, but it could be poplar (or alder, i believe).

[Greenman]

[quote=Frank Martin]If it was my bass, I'd do blueburst on the top and black on the back - the ones I've seen so far were really beautiful

Any sample pics you can post, I'm open for suggestions as far as finish.

I'm going to post costs for parts etc.
flame maple bookmatch top off E-Bay $32.00
local poplar $29.00

$61.00 isn't bad for a body blank.

[iamlowsound]

[quote=Greenman]

Originally Posted by Frank Martin

If it was my bass, I'd do blueburst on the top and black on the back - the ones I've seen so far were really beautiful

Any sample pics you can post, I'm open for suggestions as far as finish.

I'm going to post costs for parts etc.
flame maple bookmatch top off E-Bay $32.00
local poplar $29.00

$61.00 isn't bad for a body blank.

I got all the woods for my bass for free, yeah for friends/relitives that had nice trees cut down and turned into boards. Tulipwood would make a beautiful top, it has a nice multi-colour grain to it.

lowsound

[Frank Martin]

Originally Posted by Greenman

Any sample pics you can post, I'm open for suggestions as far as finish.

Searching for a picture can be harder than you think...

http://walbasses.homestead.com/March2001.html
this was the closest I could find that has both blue and some black...

[Greenman]

After seeing everyone having way to much fun I thought I would kick start an earlier project.
Received my neck yesterday so I will post a few pics.
Changed my neck spec to an ebony on flame maple with stainless 6115 frets, no face dots and flame peghead veneer.
Nordstrand Big Singles instead of fat stacks.
ETS transmission instead of custom bridge.(will build my own in the future but no time at present.
Grey lexan pic guard instead of B/W/B.

More pics later.

Regards

[PilbaraBass]

That’s beautiful! And I like your choice of pickups…nordie big singles, nice!
I dig the grain of the poplar on the back, too…if I’m not mistaken, aren’t MM SUB basses made from poplar?

[Greenman]

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

I dig the grain of the poplar on the back, too…if I’m not mistaken, aren’t MM SUB basses made from poplar?

Not sure about Subs but I think MTD used Poplar at one time.
Thanks

[wilser]

Fine looking J bass!

Poplar is a fine choice for a body ...it's butt ugly, so as long as it's stained, tinted lacquered or painted solid it will be fine.

[PilbaraBass]

checked the ernie ball site, both the SUB 'ray and the SUB Sterling are poplar...

just remember that..."U" make poplar popular...(I just made that up)...LOL

[Dusty G]

[quote=Greenman]After seeing everyone having way to much fun I thought I would kick start an earlier project.
Received my neck yesterday so I will post a few pics.
Changed my neck spec to an ebony on flame maple with stainless 6115 frets, no face dots and flame peghead veneer.
QUOTE]

You've got add, like me!
Poplar is a teriffic sounding wood for the body btw, on top of being cheap and easy to work. Just make sure your bench is nice and clean, cuz even a bit of dried glue will leave marks in it. Take it from a guy who has tennis elbow from sanding!

[vintager]

looks great ! and i personally think there's nothing so bad on poplar, its just soft wood thet needs correct finish but sound-wise has its sweet character, and combo with maple..fine.

and congrats to changing neck specs, this looks much more serious (to me)

all the best,

mike

[Cerb]

Oh... Wow. Very nice. I can't wait to see it done.

I'm quite loving the black ETS, and I think you've inspired me to use black hardware on my next build. Those Nordies are quite attractive as well. You must post a sound clip when she's done.

[mcdade]

Great work so far, cant wait to see this one finished!

Enjoy,

Robbie.

[Greenman]

Thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted.