Wenge for the body,but what for the neck?

tonrutoo · #1 04-22-2003, 03:29 PM

Hello.
i'm methodically exploring my plans for a custom bass.i've been told an all wenge(body and neck/ebony fretboard)bass would sound dull,so i'm open to suggestion on where to go next.
conditionally,
1-i want a tonewood that requires little to no finish.no need for fancy figure,or rarity;though i'm open to anything from solid ebony to paduak.
2-versatility is not a priority,as part of my goal is to have a tone alternate to my ric 4003,thus wenge.
3-weight is not a priority.it may be as heavy as needed;in fact i prefer heavy.
the proposed set up is:
a short scale(30-31"),4-string fretless,with a passive Seymour Duncan alnico MM pup.i'm going with a dual concentric pot(outer knob volume,inner for tone).3 way mini-toggle a debatable addition.
i thank you for your comments.-

JMX · #2 04-22-2003, 03:31 PM

Wenge body and padouk neck is the signature combo for Le Fay's Reiner Dobbratz - killer tone.

godoze · #3 04-22-2003, 03:35 PM

if you like the dark stuff how about ziricote over maple with a maple neck ?

ziricote or ebony will give it articulate the tone pretty well. Maple for the body core, same reason, or walnut.

mahogany IMO produces a softer tone.

but...you are going to hvae to pust some kind of finish on it regardless of what you get.

JMX · #4 04-22-2003, 03:46 PM

forgot the pic

JP Basses · #5 04-22-2003, 03:50 PM

All padauk would be a nice option man!!

Padauk is a great all around wood and will work great for body, neck and board...

Oh...and all wenge bass sounds fine to me too...just a bit TOO heavy

JP

FBB Custom · #6 04-23-2003, 10:25 AM

As I understand, you've selected solid wenge for the body, and are looking for suggestions for just the neck?

I agree that padauk would be cool. I am also liking sapele as a neck wood. Or jatoba, if you want a real heavy 4 string short scale.

godoze · #7 04-23-2003, 10:53 AM

is Sapele related to Mohagany ?

tonrutoo · #8 04-23-2003, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DonZ
is Sapele related to Mohagany ?

thank you for all the suggestions gentlemen;your input is invaluable.
btw-i'm planning on an oil finish.
*i've been cross referencing tonewoods via woodworkerssource.com to get some luthier friendly ideas:Sapele sure looks close(albeit,i'm a sucker for bar graphs).

LM Bass · #9 04-23-2003, 11:45 AM

I'm with JP on this one -paduak!
My favourite bass maker -who now makes only doublbasses and lives in Switzerland- Peter Elias, used to make an all paduak bass. The AP-1 was the last model he designed before he went into making uprights, and it had a very small body, but a great sound.
LM

LM Bass · #10 04-23-2003, 11:46 AM

Oh, and by the way, if you're using an oil finish, I'd recommend Gun stock oil from Birchwood Casey. It dries really fast and builds up quickly. Remember to sand between coats, I use 1000 grit or better for that.
Best,
LM

pilotjones · #11 04-23-2003, 11:51 AM

I love this one from Leduc: (all padauk)

tonrutoo · #12 04-23-2003, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JMX
forgot the pic

what a beauty.-
i love the headless design,as i had explored the prospect of a Status Classic II.all things in time...
the design i'm planning on right now is sort of a nod to Leo Fender,and Forrest White,with ergonomics that fit my needs(lefty).

tonrutoo · #13 04-23-2003, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LM Bass
Oh, and by the way, if you're using an oil finish, I'd recommend Gun stock oil from Birchwood Casey. It dries really fast and builds up quickly. Remember to sand between coats, I use 1000 grit or better for that.
Best,
LM

thank you.
i'm familiar with some of the mildly exotic woods to bass from my familiarity with firearms.it seems the best woods for recoil absorbtion also contribute to pleasing tone.
what kind of tone should i expect from paduak? i have very little information in this reguard,but it had peaked my interest before due to it's apparent stability,strength,and coloration.

FBB Custom · #14 04-23-2003, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DonZ
is Sapele related to Mohagany ?

Same family, different genus. Easy to find quartered with dead-straight grain and ribbon figure. Somewhat harder and stiffer than south american mahogany.

Jazz Ad · #15 04-23-2003, 04:18 PM

I will second (triple ?) the Padauk idea.

Suburban · #16 04-24-2003, 06:06 AM

Oak.
Great for necks, but for some reason overlooked for ages, by the big guys.
Has a very nice history, though, and is quite frequently used on top level acoustic guitars.

godoze · #17 04-24-2003, 09:08 AM

Oak ? my double bass has an oak neck but I have never ever seen a high end acoustic guitar with any oak parts. What are you considering high -end ?

xush · #18 04-24-2003, 01:27 PM

I've seen Alembic basses w/ oak.
Haven't heard them though...

tonrutoo · #19 04-24-2003, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jazz Ad
I will second (triple ?) the Padauk idea.

thanks Jazz Ad.
i saw your posts here,hoping to see you chime in.
btw-also contemplating a Pau Ferro fingerboard if i went with Padauk.
comments welcome.

Jazz Ad · #20 04-24-2003, 04:55 PM

I'm not for miwing too many types of woods. 2, 3, maybe 4, that's it.
Padauk will make a great fretboard.

Oak will make the bass neck dive.
It's also a wood that tends to crack a lot.
You'll need a piece at least 50 yo to make sure it doesn't move.