Carvin LB75 ressurection

[Slidlow]

I've added a walnut veneer to the headstock. I have a new waterslide coming for it.

I need to decide on the fretboard. Four choices as pictured from bottom to top are, ebony, rosewood, ipe and sissod.

I have too many with ebony boards and it was pretty common for Carvins. Right now for me is the rosewood. I had originally considered the sissod but such a wide board would be a waste to cut down. My other option is ipe of which a have a good supply. This short scale had an ipe neck to show it's color when oiled.

 

[RichterScale]

I think the rosewood (second darkest) looks right.

 

[Slidlow]

I think the rosewood (second darkest) looks right.

That piece or rosewood is pretty dark and will be much darker when oiled which is why it is my front runner right now. From a distance it will look near black without being black and also won't add the weight of ebony. The rosewood is the lightest weight of the four shown.

 

[Jeff Siddall]

I'll second the rosewood. Ebony is nice for sure but seems a bit stark on this bass. Rosewood is still dark, but not ebony black dark.

 

[Slidlow]

I'll second the rosewood. Ebony is nice for sure but seems a bit stark on this bass. Rosewood is still dark, but not ebony black dark.

Kind of my thinking as well and better to keep the weight at or below the 8 pound 14 ounce mark it started at.

 

[5tring]

This is subjective of course but I prefer the lighter colour of the ipe alongside the colours of the body and headstock

 

[Slidlow]

This is subjective of course but I prefer the lighter colour of the ipe alongside the colours of the body and headstock

Your's is an opinion not without merit and part of my conundrum.

 

[Slidlow]

Point of order, the wood store called the top piece sissod but my recent searching indicates it is actually sissoo which is a hardwood from northern India.

 

[MPU]

I vote for rosewood.

 

[hopwheels]

I vote Rosewood as well.

 

[Reedt2000]

I appear to be in the minority but I like look of the ebony. I also like the feel of an ebony board and it was an upgrade option to Carvin builds.

 

[Slidlow]

I appear to be in the minority but I like look of the ebony. I also like the feel of an ebony board and it was an upgrade option to Carvin builds.

Yes I know. I like ebony too but have a number of basses with ebony. I am thinking dark but not black dark. And having said that a lighter tone like the ipe would be interesting with the overall look.

 

[TerribleTim68]

I don't like the lighter tones on it, I think it needs more contrast between fretboard and body/neck woods. I would not go any lighter than the rosewood one.

Again, highly subjective, and that's...just, like...my opinion man.

 

[Panada]

Point of order, the wood store called the top piece sissod but my recent searching indicates it is actually sissoo which is a hardwood from northern India.

...and is also a species of rosewood.

 

[mmbass21]

Rosewood is my vote!

 

[Beej]

I'm also in the ebony or rosewood camp. The ipe, though lovely, I think has too many green-yellow and grey overtones to mesh nicely with the colour of the "walnut" strips, headstock and body. Rosewood I think looks best, but an ebony board is also quite attractive for resale.

Side note, but sissoo I think is more commonly referred to as shisham or sheesham over there and "indian rosewood" over here. It's used very widely for crafts and carving in asia. I have a set of several hand carved boxes my friend brought me from India back in the 90s.

 

[Slidlow]

I'm also in the ebony or rosewood camp. The ipe, though lovely, I think has too many green-yellow and grey overtones to mesh nicely with the colour of the "walnut" strips, headstock and body. Rosewood I think looks best, but an ebony board is also quite attractive for resale.

Side note, but sissoo I think is more commonly referred to as shisham or sheesham over there and "indian rosewood" over here. It's used very widely for crafts and carving in asia. I have a set of several hand carved boxes my friend brought me from India back in the 90s.

It’ botanical name is dalbergia sissoo and is a rosewood. I think the darker rosewood is still the front runner. By the way here is what I am thinking for the carbon rods. Made two maple sleeves to put my thin rods into with epoxy. Round the side the rod is inserted in and have it face down burying the rod deeper into the neck.

 

[SC Bassboy]

I'm voting for Ipe. I've never heard of it but I like the color and it's different than "traditional" fretboards.

 

[Slidlow]

I'm voting for Ipe. I've never heard of it but I like the color and it's different than "traditional" fretboards.

Yes this and also I've been looking for a place to try it.

 

[Slidlow]

I've settled on two options for fretboard. Either the I.E. Rosewood or Ipe. I took both and wiped on some oil to see the darkness compared to the body.

So I'm torn. The near black of the rosewood seems still too dark. The Ipe is dense and hard close to ebony so actually would be a better fretless fingerboard but I am still thinking the color would complement the walnuts and give this a very unique look. Hmmmm....