Club Bordwell Part 3

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by sratas

First I have to apologize to everyone if this argument has already been covered among the vaste Bordwell community, simply I did not found a satisfying clip (or, better, many clips). In fact I'm an european based musician. For the last 4 years I have been intrigued with Cliff's woodwork, but, I confess, I took time to find more reliable info about the tone of these awesome pieces of art. My finances do not allow me to pull the trigger on a totally blind purchase. I know that tone is in the hands and can vary pretty drastically depending upon amp, strings and so on, but my request remains the only possibility I have to "experience" the tone of these basses. In one occasion I found a youtube clip, decently recorded, but I wanted a wider perspective. Hope you all do not feel hurted by my sudden chiming...I thank everyone who takes the time and effort to suggest me something useful. Ciao from the ancient continent.

I don't have an easy answer for you, but Cliff's basses don't have a singular sound. The woods and construction will play a role, but a lot of it will boil down to pickups and electronics.

That being said, when I ordered my Rami 6 with Nordstrand DCs and an Audere pre, it was because I heard his bass on Cliff's page. I didn't follow Tim's specs to a tee, but I felt the sound was pretty close overall. I'm just not as good!

My Ball 4 was more or less based on a Pedulla Buzz and sure enough, that's about how it sounds, although the 3 band with high/low mids adds a little more depth to my ears.

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by sratas

First I have to apologize to everyone if this argument has already been covered among the vaste Bordwell community, simply I did not found a satisfying clip (or, better, many clips). In fact I'm an european based musician. For the last 4 years I have been intrigued with Cliff's woodwork, but, I confess, I took time to find more reliable info about the tone of these awesome pieces of art. My finances do not allow me to pull the trigger on a totally blind purchase. I know that tone is in the hands and can vary pretty drastically depending upon amp, strings and so on, but my request remains the only possibility I have to "experience" the tone of these basses. In one occasion I found a youtube clip, decently recorded, but I wanted a wider perspective. Hope you all do not feel hurted by my sudden chiming...I thank everyone who takes the time and effort to suggest me something useful. Ciao from the ancient continent.

There are surprising few clips of Bordwell basses on the internet. I'm not sure why. Probably Davo's is the best one here:

Davo and his CB Bass - YouTube

It sounds like a hard, modern sound but that could be due to anything - pickups, playing style, EQ, amp, wood or even the media it's recorded on.

There's another clip here (badly recorded):

So What.mov - YouTube

[Vic]

Originally Posted by Hopper

There are surprising few clips of Bordwell basses on the internet. I'm not sure why.

It's because he doesn't build a ton of basses. He's actually not very well known in the grand scheme of things, and I think he's probably happy with things the way they are. I have a feeling he's doing just the right number of instruments per year to keep it enjoyable. Building instruments is not his bread and butter, as I understand it.

Also, that clip of So What (Tim Seisser) is a TB'er. He's a great player and he's got better vids posted. Just go to his channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/timseisser

Also, on youtube, just look up "here come the mummies". The main bass player plays a passive Ball 4, and is the main reason I ordered mine... especially after hearing it live in an actual club mix. I was just playing mine again last night and it's GREAT!!

[echoSE7EN]

Does anyone happen to own a SC with accent veneers? I am becoming a victim to the waiting cycle...and starting to fall for the way the Ball Basses look with accent veneers. If someone does own a SC w/ veneers, would you mind posting a pic or two? Thanks.

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by echoSE7EN

Does anyone happen to own a SC with accent veneers? I am becoming a victim to the waiting cycle...and starting to fall for the way the Ball Basses look with accent veneers. If someone does own a SC w/ veneers, would you mind posting a pic or two? Thanks.

If showing the access veneer is a goal of yours, hard to top the Ball Basses.

The SC can show some of that, although the parallel chambers seem to have a flat top these days.

[echoSE7EN]

Originally Posted by spade2you

If showing the access veneer is a goal of yours, hard to top the Ball Basses.

The SC can show some of that, although the parallel chambers seem to have a flat top these days.

I've noticed the flat tops on the Parallel chambers as well. That was actually the reason I opted to go w/o the PC. Love the idea, but my right hand/wrist needs some curvature on the body.

After careful scrutiny of some of the SCs in The News section, I do see where some have an accent. Very subtle. I'm trying to figure out if the additional money spent on accents for a SC would be worth it (aesthetically) versus using the money towards a nice case...another set of TIs...etc.

You're correct though, it's hard to beat a Ball bass when the wood tones and accents work well together. I ordered a SC as I've never had a single-cut body before, and wanted as much "real estate" to show off the Thuya Burl top.

[spade2you]

I believe Cliff can do some internal chambering upon request.

Accent lines kinda depend on the top and body wood. If there's enough natural contrast like walnut and ash, not much point in an accent line.

Not sure on the thuya burl and body contrast, but the $ is up to you.

I haven't thought about what I'll do on the next two.

[TapyTap]

Originally Posted by echoSE7EN

I've noticed the flat tops on the Parallel chambers as well. That was actually the reason I opted to go w/o the PC. Love the idea, but my right hand/wrist needs some curvature on the body.

Personally, I think that the flat top on the Parallel Chamber bass is very elegant. I do play a classical guitar, so, I am used to a flat top. As I understand it, the depth of the Parallel Chamber body would be just under 2 inches, and the depth of my classical guitar body is about 4 inches. Therefore, it should be very easy for me to adapt to.

My first goal is to get a solid body SCB Bordwell bass...followed by a Parallel Chamber SCB. But who knows, maybe the Parallel will be the first.

[echoSE7EN]

Originally Posted by spade2you

I believe Cliff can do some internal chambering upon request.

Accent lines kinda depend on the top and body wood. If there's enough natural contrast like walnut and ash, not much point in an accent line.

Not sure on the thuya burl and body contrast, but the $ is up to you.

I haven't thought about what I'll do on the next two.

Yeah, Cliff's doing some chambering (non PC) for me. My build will be: Thuya Burl Top, Walnut Core, Curly Caribbean Rosewood Back. If I go with accents, they will be maple; just to lighten up a bit.

[spade2you]

Some flamed maple might add a little bit of bling factor. I'd probably pass on an accent layer with that wood combo, but that's just me.

[TapyTap]

Originally Posted by echoSE7EN

Yeah, Cliff's doing some chambering (non PC) for me. My build will be: Thuya Burl Top, Walnut Core, Curly Caribbean Rosewood Back. If I go with accents, they will be maple; just to lighten up a bit.

Is Thuya the same thing as Western Red Cedar?

[echoSE7EN]

Originally Posted by TapyTap

Is Thuya the same thing as Western Red Cedar?

I know it's Moroccan, and can also be found in some dry regions of Spain. Here's a blurb I found:

"Indigenous to the hot, dry region of the western Mediterranean, Thuya Burls actually grow underground on the roots of Tetraclinis articulata trees. One of the few conifers able to coppice (sprout new shoots from the stumps of trees that were cut down, burned in fires, or eaten away by livestock), old Tetraclinis articulata trees, having sprouted repeatedly over the years, oftentimes grow very large burls — some weighing up to 1,000 lbs.

Exactly how these burls were first discovered — particularly in Morocco, where most of the trees (or stumps of trees) are located in the Atlas Mountains and the burls must first be unearthed and then carried down the mountains on donkeyback — can only be imagined. It's easy to understand, though, why Thuya Burl is considered something of a national treasure in Morocco...

...Due to the unfortunate over-harvesting of Thuya Burls in Morocco — and because local artisans (particularly in the Essaouira region) rely heavily on the wood to produce trinkets to sell to tourists — the Moroccan government has prohibited the exportation of Thuya Burl wood."

I believe Thuja (AKA Red Western Cedar) and Thuya are different (based upon growth areas).

[spade2you]

Didn't know it was so rare. Nice score!!

[echoSE7EN]

Originally Posted by spade2you

Didn't know it was so rare. Nice score!!

My uncle does quite a bit of woodworking; everything from pens to display cases to music boxes. I remember him always talking about the cool factor of different woods, and the rarity of certain burls. Someone scored the Walnut burl that Cliff had posted a while back (which turned into a beautiful instrument), and that I had been eye-balling. So, back on point, according to my uncle Thuya Burl can be quite difficult to obtain in recent years (there was an up charge for that top from Cliff). However, I just love the uniqueness of it. Of course, your recent Douglas Fir is up there at the top of my list for knock-outs instruments too.

[Alienation]

Nice looking basses in the updates. That Douglas Fir is something else.

[TapyTap]

Originally Posted by echoSE7EN

I believe Thuja (AKA Red Western Cedar) and Thuya are different (based upon growth areas).

Ah yes, I am thinking of Thuja.

Thanks for the information. It sounds like you have something pretty special there for your Bordwell bass.

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by echoSE7EN

My uncle does quite a bit of woodworking; everything from pens to display cases to music boxes. I remember him always talking about the cool factor of different woods, and the rarity of certain burls. Someone scored the Walnut burl that Cliff had posted a while back (which turned into a beautiful instrument), and that I had been eye-balling. So, back on point, according to my uncle Thuya Burl can be quite difficult to obtain in recent years (there was an up charge for that top from Cliff). However, I just love the uniqueness of it. Of course, your recent Douglas Fir is up there at the top of my list for knock-outs instruments too.

When the DF top became available again, I had to pounce. The bass is always my primary objective, but when you have the opportunity for something truly rare and/or beautiful, why not?! Perfect way to cap off an already unique and perfect bass.

[emjazz]

Originally Posted by echoSE7EN

My uncle does quite a bit of woodworking; everything from pens to display cases to music boxes. I remember him always talking about the cool factor of different woods, and the rarity of certain burls. Someone scored the Walnut burl that Cliff had posted a while back (which turned into a beautiful instrument), and that I had been eye-balling. So, back on point, according to my uncle Thuya Burl can be quite difficult to obtain in recent years (there was an up charge for that top from Cliff). However, I just love the uniqueness of it. Of course, your recent Douglas Fir is up there at the top of my list for knock-outs instruments too.

Ask Cliff about how it smells when he works with it.......incredible smelling wood. Thuya is a really special wood.

[spade2you]

I once heard that zebra wood smells like horse crap when it's being cut/sanded.

[jsb22257]

CB#2 and #3