Custom bass - probs with 35" maple fretboard

*ToNeS* · #1 12-18-2012, 10:50 PM

Hey guys,

I'm having those great guys at Sandberg build me a 5-string VM to spec, but one of the things I wanted on it was a maple fretboard in 35" scale. They can't do this apparently, because they're afraid the maple might crack at that scale.

Is this a deal-breaker? I tend to tune my B down to A a lot and thought 35" might definitely be the way to go. Or are Sandbergs just so damn good that 34" will be A-OK?

funkyebk · #2 12-19-2012, 01:05 AM

There are plenty of off the shelf and other custom basses with 35" scale and maple neck/fingerboards. Lakland, Surine, Elrick...

Here's a Surine Quest that's doing fine :-)

Munjibunga · #3 12-19-2012, 01:09 AM

I haven't had any problems with the maple boards on my Lakland 55-94 and JO5, both 35-inch scale.

funkyebk · #4 12-19-2012, 01:15 AM

FWIW my Korean 55-02's maple board has been stable and has held an incredibly low action for 6 years...

Soooo... If a factory built neck is doing fine (in dry mountain air at that) but a custom build "might crack"... You have to wonder where that concern is coming from :-/

2meterbassman · #5 12-19-2012, 01:24 AM

Sandberg says, a 35" neck instead of 34" could posslbly beak or crack?

Because of one inch? LOL

Maybe their CNC isn't large enough - or their chinese supplier can't handle it...;-)

ShowKing · #6 12-19-2012, 03:49 AM

Very strange.. Get a custom Lakland

willbassyeah · #7 12-19-2012, 04:04 AM

Or a carvin

sneha1965 · #8 12-19-2012, 04:55 AM

Maybe you should consider Mike Lull for your 35" scale build. All of his 5 strings are 35 scale.

LHbassist · #9 12-19-2012, 05:20 AM

I'm building a 35" 5- right now, I'm using a highly flamed maple board. WHY are they having problems? Use good, stable, dry wood, and work it properly, and there shouldn't be any problems at all. If you cure the board right, even figured wood will be fine to use, without twisting or warping.

Fuzzbass · #10 12-19-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2meterbassman

Sandberg says, a 35" neck instead of 34" could posslbly beak or crack?

Because of one inch? LOL

Maybe their CNC isn't large enough - or their chinese supplier can't handle it...;-)

+1

Sandberg's claim is bizarre.

spade2you · #11 12-19-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

+1

Sandberg's claim is bizarre.

Agreed. Several 35" scale basses with maple fretboards in my collection. Zero problems.

*ToNeS* · #12 12-19-2012, 03:13 PM

Well now I'm thinking, "What the?" This is the message, btw:

we do 35 scale with rosewood and ebony only. The wood “maple” could get unstable and breaks. It doesn’t have to but we don’t want to risk it.

Best wishes
Aureel

I love what these guys do. I've had my heart set on a 5-string Precision Deluxe for years, but Fender don't do them anymore (traditionalist uproar, I think?). So Sandberg are my next stop, but this whole achey-breaky maple thing is making me think twice - especially with some of the comments from you guys. Le sigh.

sneha1965 · #13 12-19-2012, 03:35 PM

Ebony is sonically in the same ballpark as maple if you don't have your heart set on it.

Fuzzbass · #14 12-19-2012, 03:36 PM

The only thing I can think of is that maple is not as hard as either rosewood or ebony. However if maple is acceptable to Sandberg for 34", why not 35"? It's an increase of only 3%. Sandberg should use maple for both -- or neither, if they're so concerned about fragility.

Ultimately it doesn't matter. The bottom line is, you can't get a 35" Sandberg with maple board. So if you must have a maple board on your 35", then you'll have to look elsewhere. Sorry 'bout that.

*ToNeS* · #15 12-19-2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

The only thing I can think of is that maple is not as hard as either rosewood or ebony. However if maple is acceptable to Sandberg for 34", why not 35"? It's an increase of only 3%. Sandberg should use maple for both -- or neither, if they're so concerned about fragility.

Ultimately it doesn't matter. The bottom line is, you can't get a 35" Sandberg with maple board. So if you must have a maple board on your 35", then you'll have to look elsewhere. Sorry 'bout that.

I was going to either...

a) FORCE THEM TO DO IT AGAINST THEIR WILL.

or

b) Maybe just spring for a 34" maple board? But I was concerned about B-string tension. Thoughts on this? Sandbergs seem to have a really good rep for construction. Seems like I might get away with it.

JAUQO III-X · #16 12-19-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneha1965

Ebony is sonically in the same ballpark as maple if you don't have your heart set on it.

Ebony is not as bright as maple and ebony has a compressed brightness to it.

And rosewood is warmer(darker) sounding than ebony and maple.

BigDaddyO · #17 12-19-2012, 03:58 PM

pick up the phone

henry2513 · #18 12-19-2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *ToNeS*

Well now I'm thinking, "What the?" This is the message, btw:

we do 35 scale with rosewood and ebony only. The wood “maple” could get unstable and breaks. It doesn’t have to but we don’t want to risk it.

Best wishes
Aureel

I love what these guys do. I've had my heart set on a 5-string Precision Deluxe for years, but Fender don't do them anymore (traditionalist uproar, I think?). So Sandberg are my next stop, but this whole achey-breaky maple thing is making me think twice - especially with some of the comments from you guys. Le sigh.

Lol that's bullcrap. I'd go somewhere else.

sneha1965 · #19 12-19-2012, 04:01 PM

I don't know why it would be an issue. Maybe Carl should call up Mike Lull to find out he does it.

sneha1965 · #20 12-19-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

Ebony is not as bright as maple and ebony has a compressed brightness to it.

And rosewood is warmer(darker) sounding than ebony and maple.

I'm not saying they are the same but they are similar as someone who owned and gigged an RD artist and maple neck G&L L-1000.