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The "Tone wood" Bass!

scottyd

scottyd

Commercial User
Nov 17, 2006
2,887
657
Waco Tx
Disclosures
Builder/owner Redeemer Basses
#1
Like other builders I'm sure, I'm getting tired of the "what wood sounds the best" and "you can't use that wood in a bass" questions/comments.

I've been putting this build off for way too long and it just so happens that I have a little bit of time to get a good start on it.:bassist: I also would like to point out that the woods used are all going to be native woods to my home state, so it's going be a fun build!


Specs

DDC body shape
4 string
34" scale
Bolt on neck
Fretless
Curly red Oak top
Yellow Pine body core
Curly red oak bottom
3 laminate neck of pecan and *bodark AKA osage orange*
Hickory fingerboard
Single truss (won't that neck break without other reinforcement??!!............ stay tuned and see!)
Matching headstock veneers top and bottom
Redeemer single coils
Matching pup and cavity covers
Cheapo preamp, I believe it’s an Artic (I don't want much sound credit to go towards electronics!:p)
Grover Bridge 19mm
Grover tuners
Black hardware

The shape
DDCcopy.jpg


And for any of you nay sayers before you post remember this..........Sound clips will be provided at the end of this build.
 
#3
PilbaraBass said:
if that's the case, leave the preamp out, or put in a simple buffer-only circuit.
Click to expand...

I've already got it, and I can't see me using it for anything else, the bass will be for sale when it's done so the preamp will make it a bit more user friendly:hmm: That's a good point however, I may wire in a bypass switch instead. YES! and then compare the two.:bassist:
 
#6
scottyd said:
Like other builders I'm sure, I'm getting tired of the "what wood sounds the best" and "you can't use that wood in a bass" questions/comments.
Click to expand...

I built a 3-string bass
northern ash neck
black walnut fingerboard
catalpa body
basslines SPB-3 quarter pound

and it sounds different but still good.The tone is punchy with a bit much hi-mid (sounds good with a pick(if anyone knows what that is))

I basically do not listen when people that say "you can't use that wood in a bass" just do what you want and let us know how it works.
 
#9
Go for it. I only wonder if you have too much variables right now, if the goal of the "experiment" is finding out whether certain uncommon wood types can be used in an instrument, why not leave a few out of the equation. Use oak for the bottom as well, and perhaps fingerboard? I really think pine as a body core might work great.

Edit: That oak top and black stained underside look great, I really like this model.

Best regards,

Jarno.
 
#10
Jarno said:
Go for it. I only wonder if you have too much variables right now, if the goal of the "experiment" is finding out whether certain uncommon wood types can be used in an instrument, why not leave a few out of the equation. Use oak for the bottom as well, and perhaps fingerboard? I really think pine as a body core might work great.

Edit: That oak top and black stained underside look great, I really like this model.

Best regards,

Jarno.
Click to expand...

It's really not as much experiment as it is proof.
 
#15
Scotty, let me be the first to say it... THANK YOU!!! I really want to put comments like "you can't use that wood" to rest. Most of the time it's from people who just haven't seen a bass made out of it and have no other real reason to oppose it. Can't wait to see this one.
 
#20
I've absolutely no experience in building, but for years a White Hickory (True Hickory) fretless board has been of great interest to me. Of course, I've heard nothing positive about it's use as such. Can't wait to hear an experienced pov, but IMO, I just know it'll work! :)
 
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