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5sg's Cliff Bordwell Spring 2022 Build

#41
fivestringgecko said:
- I was trying to be diplomatic with the comment about wood selection making a difference, as I've seen on Talkbass that the discussion can be very polarizing. ;) (as with pretty much any discussion on Talkbass. :rolleyes: lol) But I'm definitely in the "it does make a difference" camp. :) I don't have any fancy audio testing tools other than my ears, but out of the basses I own, two in particular are about as close as it gets. Both are Kiesel Icons with soapbar humbuckers/active preamps, one is swamp ash and the other is alder. I've modded the alder one a bit along the way with different humbuckers and preamp which did change the sound a bit more, but both have distinctly different characters/sounds.
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Yes, I picked up on the fact that you were trying not to ruffle any feathers. :)

fivestringgecko said:
Interesting that you mention that Cliff's basses have their own particular "Cliff" sound... I know it's probably difficult in words, but how would you characterize a "It's got a Cliff Bordwell sound?"
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That's a great question! I'm not certain that I am able to properly express what it is that I hear in Cliff's basses that give them his identifying sound, but I suspect it has something to do with the way he constructs and attaches his necks to the bodies. The more I attempt to describe it, the more inadequate I feel my attempt is...but I know it when I hear it. Sorry for the lame answer on my part...
 
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#42
Another update from Cliff, and a bit of a surprise here: I was expecting the back to be.... well, just "the back of a bass." Nothing all that exciting because the front is what most people will see. But this looks like an "above and beyond" thing, there's a lot more going on here than I was expecting! Looks like a couple different woods here that aren't the Spanish Cedar of the body, and maybe a thin layer of something else (purpleheart?) at the neck joint. Really digging the look!

5sg.

36705.jpg
 
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#43
TapyTap said:
That's a great question! I'm not certain that I am able to properly express what it is that I hear in Cliff's basses that give them his identifying sound, but I suspect it has something to do with the way he constructs and attaches his necks to the bodies. The more I attempt to describe it, the more inadequate I feel my attempt is...but I know it when I hear it. Sorry for the lame answer on my part...
Click to expand...

No sweat, I get it. Stuff like that is always tough to describe, particularly in text. I'll be quite interested to see if I can pick up on "the Cliff Sound." ha ha!

5sg.
 
#44
fivestringgecko said:
Another update from Cliff, and a bit of a surprise here: I was expecting the back to be.... well, just "the back of a bass." Nothing all that exciting because the front is what most people will see. But this looks like an "above and beyond" thing, there's a lot more going on here than I was expecting! Looks like a couple different woods here that aren't the Spanish Cedar of the body, and maybe a thin layer of something else (purpleheart?) at the neck joint. Really digging the look!

5sg.

View attachment 4724351
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That looks really nice!

-ScottM
 
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#46
Another update from Cliff... Turns out he sent a photo of a different back (not mine) for that last update pic. But hey, it's no big deal. He juggles multiple builds, and we're all human, right? Anyway, here's a photo of the neck joint/back for my bass. It'll be the Spanish Cedar of the body instead of Zebrawood, but I actually like the multi-layer neck joint more! But regardless of what back is on this bass, I'm pretty confident it won't change the fact that it'll be an amazing instrument. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together for the overall look!

Speaking of pickup covers: Check 'em out!

DANG!

5sg.

36818.jpg


36813.jpg
 
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#47
fivestringgecko said:
No sweat, I get it. Stuff like that is always tough to describe, particularly in text. I'll be quite interested to see if I can pick up on "the Cliff Sound." ha ha!

5sg.
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I'll be interested to know what you think when you receive the instrument.

fivestringgecko said:
Another update from Cliff... Turns out he sent a photo of a different back (not mine) for that last update pic. But hey, it's no big deal. He juggles multiple builds, and we're all human, right? Anyway, here's a photo of the neck joint/back for my bass. It'll be the Spanish Cedar of the body instead of Zebrawood, but I actually like the multi-layer neck joint more! But regardless of what back is on this bass, I'm pretty confident it won't change the fact that it'll be an amazing instrument. I'm really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together for the overall look!

Speaking of pickup covers: Check 'em out!

DANG!

5sg.

View attachment 4726574

View attachment 4726575
Click to expand...

The neck joint wood combo Cliff chose for your bass totally works with the rest of the woods...looks great!

...and those pickup covers look awesome!
 
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#49
Another update photo from Cliff, bright and early this morning! Well, okay... he's over on the east coast, so there's a 2 hour time difference to where I am. But still... I don't think he sleeps. lol

He's teasing me, too. He said electronics would be next week. But it looks like he's already started. Very curious as to how the Tone Capsule will pair with the Big Rigs.

5sg.

36826.jpg
 
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#51
LowWay said:
I love the way the woods are coming together on that build. Stunning!
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Agreed! Those pickup covers... I've never seen Pau Ferro with figuring like that. I almost thought they were koa at first! The knobs will also be Pau Ferro, so it should all tie together nicely with the black tuners matching the bridge. Can't wait to see what it looks like with the strap I picked up for it as well!

Can't wait!!

5sg.
 
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#53
LowWay said:
The bass in my avatar is pau Ferro pickup covers and knobs, and they are not nearly as figured as yours. Those really are beautiful!
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Some pretty intense figuring going on between the top and the pickups, but I think because of the colors, it still doesn't feel like "too much." I told Cliff I can't stop looking at that photo, and he agreed it's coming together nicely. It'll definitely be a conversation starter. :)

5sg.
 
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#54
fivestringgecko said:
Some pretty intense figuring going on between the top and the pickups, but I think because of the colors, it still doesn't feel like "too much." I told Cliff I can't stop looking at that photo, and he agreed it's coming together nicely. It'll definitely be a conversation starter. :)

5sg.
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Trust me when I say every time you take your bass on stage, music store, or just out to jam everyone is going to talk your ears off about your bass.

My favorite thing was when I use to take one of mine into Guitar Center to try out a new amp. They’d make me take it out of the case before entering the store so they could write down the serial number to make sure I didn’t steal it coming out. Lol
I’d say, trust me, you don’t have anything in this store like this bass!

-ScottM
 
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#55
scottm said:
Trust me when I say every time you take your bass on stage, music store, or just out to jam everyone is going to talk your ears off about your bass.

My favorite thing was when I use to take one of mine into Guitar Center to try out a new amp. They’d make me take it out of the case before entering the store so they could write down the serial number to make sure I didn’t steal it coming out. Lol
I’d say, trust me, you don’t have anything in this store like this bass!

-ScottM
Click to expand...

I think I might have to try that just for fun, sir! :D

5sg.
 
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#56
I brought a couple of mine to my favorite Boston area luthiers to dial them in perfectly for me at different points. My 2 favorite comments:

from Jim Mouradian, upon returning it: I loved this bass more and more as I worked on it, this is beautifully built.

From Wolf Giandes, on taking it in: so is this expensive, or does it just look it?

Both do beautiful work, and get them dialed in to a level I can maintain myself for at least a decade before I need pro servicing again.
 
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#59
So, no new photo updates yet from Cliff after that last photo, but he did send me an email a few days ago letting me know that he'd be on vacation for the 4th weekend and he'd have a couple more photos after that (and he said the word "completed" before "pics!"). And how's this for classy customer service: after saying he'd be on vacation and wouldn't be on email, he still let me know that I could text him if I had any questions. I won't, but still... dude totally has my respect.

5sg.
 
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#60
fivestringgecko said:
So, no new photo updates yet from Cliff after that last photo, but he did send me an email a few days ago letting me know that he'd be on vacation for the 4th weekend and he'd have a couple more photos after that (and he said the word "completed" before "pics!"). And how's this for classy customer service: after saying he'd be on vacation and wouldn't be on email, he still let me know that I could text him if I had any questions. I won't, but still... dude totally has my respect.

5sg.
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I am pretty sure I’ve had Cliff email me over a few Christmas weekends and holidays. His communication skills are the best out of the bass builders I have dealt with over the years.
I’m excited to see your bass done! Looking forward to some finished pics.

-ScottM
 
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