Funny, it's the first bass I've owned with only side markers on the fret board and I don't miss the center inlays at all. I must have been subconsciously using the side markers more than I realized.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Funny, it's the first bass I've owned with only side markers on the fret board and I don't miss the center inlays at all. I must have been subconsciously using the side markers more than I realized.
Scott has finished my Especial II and will ship it on Monday. It weighs about 6 1/2 pounds and is made out of flood cypress. Looking forward to this beauty.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Nice!
My CBass came in yesterday and I love it! Super light weight and easy to play.
I have a PB-One on order and we are going to use Spanish Cedar to keep the weight down similar to the CBass. I also was interested in a darker stain on the PB and Scott said the cedar should take the stain a little more since it is a softer wood.
After my recent purchase of the CBass (and current build of the PB-One), I am putting my Mystic build up for sale!
Scott's prototype for an all around semi hollow/chambered body bass, 1 of 1.
For Sale - Birdsong Mystic Prototype - Semi-Hollow/Chambered Birdsong 1 of 1 FREE Shipping US 48
Scott's prototype for an all around semi hollow/chambered body bass, 1 of 1.
For Sale - Birdsong Mystic Prototype - Semi-Hollow/Chambered Birdsong 1 of 1 FREE Shipping US 48
Anyone own a Spanish Cedar Birdsong? Wondering how it relates to Mahogany. I know it's lighter, but is it a really soft wood?
The Cypress is definitely soft, no problems with mine, but I can tell it is a soft wood in comparison to previous Birdsong's I've owned in mahogany and walnut. Wondering how your Spanish Cedars have held up with play wear and such?
The Cypress is definitely soft, no problems with mine, but I can tell it is a soft wood in comparison to previous Birdsong's I've owned in mahogany and walnut. Wondering how your Spanish Cedars have held up with play wear and such?
All proper cedars are softwoods by definition. Technically a softwood is any wood from a conifer or evergreen vs hardwoods which are from deciduous trees. Some softwoods are denser than some hardwoods. Cedar tends to be quite light and soft. Softwoods are also more resinous, which can be an issue.
I have a HY5 that has a cherry top on a cedar body, I haven't really noticed it being any more prone to wear than anything else. But I haven't really taken that one out at all, because it's fretless...and I suck at fretless.
How can you tell it's softer? Did it dent?
Thanks for the info Joe. By soft wood, I meant durability. I can tell the cypress is not as durable as walnut for example, which I expected. Not an issue for me, but just made me wonder what experience others have had with Spanish Cedar Birdsong's since I am using cedar for my next build.
I love the benefit of lighter weight and the sound is killer. I take good care of these so it's not really an issue, but I'm wondering if I should go with Mahogany for a little more durability, even if it means adding some weight.
No, but my fingers are already showing signs of play wear around the pickup. Barely, but if I look close it's there. I like the well played look, so no issues, but it made me realize it is definitely a softer wood. I did a LOT of playing over the weekend, and was really digging in at times.
No dents or anything, but I bet I could scratch it if I wanted to with just my nails. All around an awesome bass!
I like JayDA's idea of having a hardwood top to it. It will dent and you probably don't care as much what the back looks like. I'd also be concerned with how well it takes a finish. I have a chambered Warmoth medium scale that I love because of the light weight. My new Birdsong which is solid Walnut is a bit on the heavy side in comparison, but I love the look.
Edit: Also, if you make the body too light you could have neck dive. You should look at lighter tuners or other ways to lighten up the neck and headstock.
As I understand it, Spanish Cedar isn't a proper cedar, but rather a relative to mahogany. As such, it shouldn't be as soft, dentable and resinous as regular softwoods.
Source: Spanish Cedar | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwood)
Nice, well that makes a lot more sense. Sounds like a lot of luthiers use it.
I snagged one of the walnut/maple fretboard 13th Anniversary Shortbasses and I'm amazed how much more resonant the walnut seems to be than the fretless mahogany Shortbass that I already have (and love). But maybe some or all of that is the difference between the strings, as the walnut bass has those excellent Curt Mangan round wounds that Scott uses and the fretless has D'Addario Chrome flats.
My family just got back last night from an extended stay at our lake home up north and my wife definitely prefers the tone(s) of the walnut Cortobass to my other basses. I am still adjusting to playing a 31 as my shortest bass prior to this is a 32" Warmoth SSJB.
Video clip of the Mystic bass I have in the classifieds.
For Sale - Birdsong Mystic Prototype - Semi-Hollow/Chambered Birdsong 1 of 1 FREE Shipping US 48
For Sale - Birdsong Mystic Prototype - Semi-Hollow/Chambered Birdsong 1 of 1 FREE Shipping US 48
Looks like my PB-One build is going to be turned into a custom. I'm thinking the fusion body, matching headstock, and rear routing, with the PB pickup and a similar stained finish.
I think the fusion is my favorite shape and model that Scott offers, just want the extra punch that the model one pickup brings to the table.
New Birdsong orders are always so much fun!
I think the fusion is my favorite shape and model that Scott offers, just want the extra punch that the model one pickup brings to the table.
New Birdsong orders are always so much fun!
Sounds interesting, I like the Fusion body shape as well, and you can't go wrong with that pickup.
You going to keep the edge routing? I think it would look sweet on that build...
I have another SKY5 on order now, mahogany with the handmade wooden "Eagle" bridge, and custom narrower string spacing.
I also have another "surprise" four string on order, that probably won't get started until the end of this year.
Surprise meaning new build model?
I owned a Fusion previously and loved the bass, but the pickup didn't have the punch I wanted. I actually asked Scott once about replacing it and upgrading to the Model One, but I ended up selling the fusion as is instead.
Well..."technically" it would be a "sub model" of an existing model. If you know about a certain bass Scott is fond of...I'm pretty sure you can imagine what's coming.
