Bass build wood choice and other stuff.

[theculprit]

Hi all. I've recently been bitten with the gas bug to have another 5 string. I found 1 I like, but the cost to order ($4k) is beyond what I can justify spending. I've decided instead to do another build and this will be my second. I took the leap by ordering some US hipshot ultralight tuners, so no turning back now .
My first true order of business is to source a body which brings me to my first big question. The bass I've been drooling over has a beautiful (to me) textured ash wood grain finish. Pic attached. I'd like to find a quality source to find a body with a similar grain which I can route for pickups etc myself. I can find plenty of ash bass bodies, but they are all pre-routed (wrong p'up size and placement), and all seem to have less than stellar wood grain. Not looking to cut and shape a body from scratch either. Thanks for taking the time to read and looking forward to your thoughful and experienced responses.

Dan

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I built a Warmoth parts Jazz years ago with a similar Ebonized finish with exposed open grain like that, and the Warmoth bodies are superb quality but..... HEAVY, as I suspect any ash body will be. If you don't mind the weight and $$, I haven't seen anything out there better quality than Warmoth, same with their necks. Not cheap, but you'll spend considerably less than $4k for good quality parts.

 

[ardgedee]

That sounds like the sort of thing you'd Invalid Link Removed custom builder. If they don't have the exact body wood you want, you can pick a Invalid Link Removed from photos. And if the pickup routing you want isn't offered through their menu you can usually custom-order it.

The instrument in your image looks like it has a ceruse finish, which is why the grain is popping more than it does in wood blanks. You're not likely to find untreated ash grain that stands out that much.

edit...

HEAVY, as I suspect any ash body will be.

They offer roasted swamp ash bodies now, which should make it a little lighter.

 

[Beej]

Agreed with the above, as far as I know, Warmoth is the only source for shaped bodies with custom (or no) routing.

Here's a thought though, if you can rout pickup cavities, you can rout out a body blank from a template. A jigsaw can be used to cut out the general shape, templates are available online and you can buy full body blanks from suppliers as well. The hive mind here in the Luthier's Corner will support you through it, we can't help ourselves.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

P and J pickup routing templates are relatively cheap and easily found on Ebay and Amazon, If you have access to even a cheap Harbor Freight "colt" size small router, you could rout the body yourself, as Beej suggested above.

Amazon.com

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[Fender_Bender]

I think that surface finish is accomplished with sandblasting, or fire and wire brush scraping. More likely the former I'd think.

 

[Wfrance3]

No real business typing in a luthier thread. I don't build, and what you guys are able to do is amazing to me!
I came across this a while back and filed the link to it for safe-keeping.

Is this maybe what you're angling for?

Finishing Kit – Carmine Gypsy - Wudtone Custom Guitar Innovation | Hardware & Finishes

Gorgeous translucent passion. Kit includes separate bottles of : deep colour coat base coat top coat ( choose satin, satin ageing, Xgloss, Xgloss ageing) plus gloves and instructions Additional options available highlights transparent grain filler Vary the shade by diluting with our colourless...

www.wudtone.com

 

[micguy]

I built a Warmoth parts Jazz years ago with a similar Ebonized finish with exposed open grain like that, and the Warmoth bodies are superb quality but..... HEAVY, as I suspect any ash body will be. If you don't mind the weight and $$, I haven't seen anything out there better quality than Warmoth, same with their necks. Not cheap, but you'll spend considerably less than $4k for good quality parts.

If you call Warmoth (on the telephone, this is not on their web site), and tell them you want a light ash body, you can get one - you'll pay a surcharge, but it's worth it. I've built a bunch of basses with this method, all of those bodies were under 3.5 pounds. If you want a really light body, a roasted swamp ash one, selected for weight, will get you a few ounces less - the ones I've built that way were all right at 3 and a quarter pounds. Their C4 or C5 bodies have slimmer horns, and will get you a bit less weight than one shaped like a Fender. I think they look better as well.

Ash is a wood that is highly variable in density - yes, there can be heavy bodies made from ash, but there are also very light ones.

All Warmoth wood, Hipshot aluminum hardware, all the wood on this is roasted. Body is roasted swamp ash, selected for low weight. Graphite rods in the neck. Comes in at 7.26 pounds, and even with a big honkin' 5 string neck, not a hint of neck dive.

Don't let anyone tell you you can't make a light bass with Warmoth wood. I've built about 18 basses this way, every single one of them was under 8 pounds. A few of the 4 string ones were under 7.

 

[johnbegone]

I posed a similar question on here citing the same Sandberg finish. I got a lot of great answers here: Anyone know a builder who does sandblasted / ceruse finish?
I was close to moving forward with MJT (I've used them twice before) but someone on here contacted me with a used Sandberg for sale and the rest is history!

 

[lark_z]

Google "ceruse finish" - it's a vortex, enter with caution. You'll want an open grained wood, like ash.

 

[theculprit]

Thanks all for the great feedback. After reading through and shifting my focus, I reached out to a friend who has much more instrument building experience than I do, and all the tools needed for body shaping and neck construction etc. We discussed, and being the great guy he is, he agreed to assist with the project. He'd do it for free, but I'll insist on paying him for his time. He had much of the same advise as many of you, and I've decided to order a roasted swamp ash blank from Warmoth like this one pictured. Also, I just ordered this template from guitarbuildingtemplates. I'll have to make some modifications because I'll be shooting for a 45 mm nut width which is narrower than the fender P nut width.
Also, I found this pic of a Keisel guitar with a similar textured ash finish, but this one looks painted with a low gloss or satin finish. Does it look painted to you all? I'd be real happy with that kind of finish, and if painting is easier or more predictable, I'll go that route.
I found a source for a composite ebony fingerboard material called Richlite Black Diamond, but it's only 2.75" wide. I've emailed them to see if a 3" piece is possible, but I'm doubtful, so any source for great black fretboard material would be great and appreciated.
Another question. I'm considering reducing the body thickness and wondering, how much is enough to make an appreciable difference in weight without going overboard and compromising structure etc?
Oh, and wanting to do a heel accessed truss rod with wheel adjustment like is found on Stingray basses. Is that style truss rod available for sale?
Thanks all!

 

[Fender_Bender]

You can certainly go down to 1.5" thickness with no issues. Check with Stew Mac for the truss rod you're looking for.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Just a thought. Are there any hardwood mills, or places that do custom flooring or cabinets? You could probably get a board of ash for what you are paying for one blank. Thanks to the ash borer, ash is getting more scarce, but it's out there.

 

[theculprit]

Just a thought. Are there any hardwood mills, or places that do custom flooring or cabinets? You could probably get a board of ash for what you are paying for one blank. Thanks to the ash borer, ash is getting more scarce, but it's out there.

Good thought. Yes I'm familiar with several lumber shops which cater to finish carpenters. I'll have to check with them and see if they carry roasted woods.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Good thought. Yes I'm familiar with several lumber shops which cater to finish carpenters. I'll have to check with them and see if they carry roasted woods.

Just be aware that you'd probably have to go through a bunch of wood, if you're even allowed to inspect and handle it, before finding something light. That's a good way to end up with a 13 pound bass.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Any decent lumber mill will allow you to go though the wood. Looks like swamp ash body blanks START at $290 (with no guaranteeas to weight). I'm guessing for about a third the price, you could get a 16 foot board of ash, enough to experiment on about 10 bodies.

 

[Budbear]

..... HEAVY, as I suspect any ash body will be. If you don't mind the weight and $$

I just built a 4 string with a Warmoth ash body. I paid $40 more for an extra light body and the one they sent me was under 3 1/2 lbs. The whole bass ended up at 7lbs. 4oz.