Would this be good?

popinfresh · #1 02-16-2005, 05:29 AM

Hey, i'm making a 6 string fretless in woodwork this year and was just wondering if i could get some opinions on this.. Walnut back, mahogany core, coco bolo top, ebony fingerboard and maybe wenge neck? (I'm not too sure on the neck wood). I don't know if it'l be bolt on or set/neck through just yet as i have to see if i can get help/equipment usage from a friend.

I want something kinda deep and thumpy with nice attack (Think Claypools rainbow bass), yet can be smooth enough to get a real nice fretless tone. I'l be using EMG electronics most likely (Dual coil and a P or J).

So what do you think of that? Should i use something else other than coco bolo? Or something other than mahogany?

Thanks.

andvari7 · #2 02-16-2005, 08:19 AM

To answer the final questions, no need. They are nice choices for a body. Unfortunately, you're not going to have a fun time finding quality ebony these days. I'd also use a maple core for the neck, because many of those exotic woods get a little funny. Wenge stringers are cool, though; actually, you might need them for the width.

Now getting a P- or J- pup from EMG that will accomodate a sixer is another story. I don't know if they do that.

popinfresh · #3 02-17-2005, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andvari7

To answer the final questions, no need. They are nice choices for a body. Unfortunately, you're not going to have a fun time finding quality ebony these days. I'd also use a maple core for the neck, because many of those exotic woods get a little funny. Wenge stringers are cool, though; actually, you might need them for the width.

Now getting a P- or J- pup from EMG that will accomodate a sixer is another story. I don't know if they do that.

Yeah, they have em. They're not like your traditional style ones though. Here: http://www.emginc.com/displayproduct...&catalogid=124 (P)

http://www.emginc.com/displayproduct...&catalogid=125 (J)

What would you suggest for a nice fretboard wood if not ebony? Something like Pau Ferro? (Sp?) Or something else.. Thanks for the reply btw.

Rapscallion2112 · #4 02-17-2005, 12:41 AM

there's always the option of using two sets of p pups if your using them...much like this Carl Thompson (just thought I'd use that as an example since you brought up the rainbow bass)

http://ctbasses.com/tonybody_orig_pups.jpg

popinfresh · #5 02-17-2005, 01:07 AM

Oops, sorry. They actually do have P pups for sixers http://www.emginc.com/displayproduct...&catalogid=109 .

I've seen that CT. Not sure if i'd like two P pups though. I'm not even using one ATM (Own a Sterling). I was thinking the dual coil for big low end and punch, and the J for some more attack/high mids. The P is just an idea for even more thumpiness, lol. A Dual/P/J would be overkill wouldn't it? (And hard to wire up..)

Mottlefeeder · #6 02-17-2005, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popinfresh

Oops, sorry. They actually do have P pups for sixers http://www.emginc.com/displayproduct...&catalogid=109 .

I've seen that CT. Not sure if i'd like two P pups though. I'm not even using one ATM (Own a Sterling). I was thinking the dual coil for big low end and punch, and the J for some more attack/high mids. The P is just an idea for even more thumpiness, lol. A Dual/P/J would be overkill wouldn't it? (And hard to wire up..)

Warwick do a dual P on one of their basses, and a music-man type bridge pup with a J neck pup on one of the others, which sounds the wrong way round, but I expect that they know more than I do. If you can find someone with them in stock, you could hear what they could do for you.

popinfresh · #7 02-17-2005, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mottlefeeder

Warwick do a dual P on one of their basses, and a music-man type bridge pup with a J neck pup on one of the others, which sounds the wrong way round, but I expect that they know more than I do. If you can find someone with them in stock, you could hear what they could do for you.

Got the model? Didn't know warwick had that, or was it released at NAMM? They also did dual humbuckers keeping one in the sweet spot.

popinfresh · #8 02-17-2005, 04:19 AM

Oh also, i'm planning on making a fretless four soon, just like a practice bass. Would African Afzilia make a good fretless body wood? For this one i want a really warm, smooth and full fretless sound. It will actually be used in my old school/hard rock band, but yeah.

tjclem · #9 02-17-2005, 05:03 AM

"What would you suggest for a nice fretboard wood if not ebony? Something like Pau Ferro? (Sp?) Or something else.. "

I use Bubinga a lot for a fingerboard. Strong and sharp looking.........t

Mottlefeeder · #10 02-17-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mottlefeeder

Warwick do a dual P on one of their basses, and a music-man type bridge pup with a J neck pup on one of the others, which sounds the wrong way round, but I expect that they know more than I do. If you can find someone with them in stock, you could hear what they could do for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by popinfresh

Got the model? Didn't know warwick had that, or was it released at NAMM? They also did dual humbuckers keeping one in the sweet spot.

http://www.warwickbass.com/basses/buzzard_ltd.html
has a dual P type, and
http://www.warwickbass.com/basses/streamer_jazzman.html
has a MM and a J type.

popinfresh · #11 02-18-2005, 03:43 AM

Ohhh, i read your post wrong. I read it with a hummer at the neck and the jazz at the bridge. I was thinking that's a little wierd. Did you see their dual humbucker corvette's that they had at namm? I'l have to see if anyone carries/could get in a buzzard around hear.

Anyway, for the fretless's. Do you think set, bolt or neck through would be best? Any other suggestions for the fretboard? What sound would i get from bubinga on a fretboard?

Any handy sites for this stuff would be great too, i've been looking through this site and google etc.. havn't found too many helpfull ones.

Mottlefeeder · #12 02-18-2005, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popinfresh

Ohhh, i read your post wrong. I read it with a hummer at the neck and the jazz at the bridge. I was thinking that's a little wierd.

I'm interested to know why you thought a hummer at the neck, and a J at the bridge end would be odd. I thought that it would give you something like the traditional P/J mix, which is why I thought the reverse layout was odd. If you fatten up the bridge pup sound, and thin down the neck pup sound, wouldn't you lose some of the range of tone that a neck P and a bridge J would give you?

popinfresh · #13 02-25-2005, 04:10 AM

I only thought it would be odd because i've never seen a doil coil/J combination in that way.

So if i'm using a cocobolo top, mahogany middle and walnut back. I'm still not sure for the neck, and wether i could make the neck myself as i suppose a sixer neck is going to be hard. Do you think i should go neck thru or set neck? What's typically easier and where do you guys get your neck woods from? I was thinking a mix of bubinga and something for a neck (maybe not even having a fretboard)... tell me if you think that'l be bad.