Actually I could tell you if I could smell it...
Peace,
T
Really, let's not go there, even in fun
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Really, let's not go there, even in fun
Sean,
I know I'm going against the grain (get it?) with many of the most eminent players, in this forum (what up, Ken?) and in general, but you're pinpointing my dilemma (not really such a terrible dilemma to have, I guess): I'm thinking that the last bass I may ever need (yeah, right) is an A-C LM-5 as a companion to my LG-5, but I've just never liked the looks of a maple fretboard, to the extent that I've never owned an instrument, bass or guitar (or sousaphone, alto clarinet or French horn, for that matter
) that has one. Other than the various rosewood fretboards I've owned and still own, I have a Sadowsky 5-24 ash and ebony, and a Steinberger that's made entirely of space-age materials (remember the Space Age?), but no maple. But I really, really want an LM-5 and I've become persuaded, with significant influence from this forum, that the maple fretboard is an essential contributor to the LM-5 sound that I want in my arsenal.So I've spent a lot of time recently looking at maple necks on basses trying to find one I'm ok with visually. I guess I like a white body -- Oly white or trans white both look pretty cool -- or natural, but I'm just not much of a fan of natural, either. So I've thought about rosewood with an ash body on an LM-5, but finally I think I really want the sound of the maple.
I need to remind myself that there are several competent bassists
who play on maple fretboards. And I guess ice blue looks pretty good with maple, too, eh? Any other suggestions?Hmmm. I wonder how an LM-5 with an ash body and an ebony fretboard would sound? Does Jimmy ever do ebony?
-Steve
Andy Brown
Commercial User
- Jul 23, 2004
- 5,675
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- Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
FWIW - I personally think maple boards look incredible with a dark, contrasting color. Anywhere from an LPB to Black. A vintage tint on the neck will help too.
Here is my maple-boarded S******y with a nice dark Tiger's Eye burst.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Yeah, I'm trying to decide the specs of my LM-5 as well. So far, I'm thinking if I go maple it'll be an all white beast w/ blocks and binding.
Though, I've always wanted a 5 string P, so maybe a KBP-5 next. They I have start thinking maple vs rosewood on a P
Though, I've always wanted a 5 string P, so maybe a KBP-5 next. They I have start thinking maple vs rosewood on a P
Sean,
I know I'm going against the grain (get it?) with many of the most eminent players, in this forum (what up, Ken?) and in general, but you're pinpointing my dilemma (not really such a terrible dilemma to have, I guess): I'm thinking that the last bass I may ever need (yeah, right) is an A-C LM-5 as a companion to my LG-5, but I've just never liked the looks of a maple fretboard, to the extent that I've never owned an instrument, bass or guitar (or sousaphone, alto clarinet or French horn, for that matter
So I've spent a lot of time recently looking at maple necks on basses trying to find one I'm ok with visually. I guess I like a white body -- Oly white or trans white both look pretty cool -- or natural, but I'm just not much of a fan of natural, either. So I've thought about rosewood with an ash body on an LM-5, but finally I think I really want the sound of the maple.
I need to remind myself that there are several competent bassists
Hmmm. I wonder how an LM-5 with an ash body and an ebony fretboard would sound? Does Jimmy ever do ebony?
-Steve
Keep in mind you can always "vintage tint" a maple neck so that it isn't such a huge contrast. That's how my old Sadowsky was (which looks alot like AJ's (tiger's eye).
Ask Jimmy if he will stain the fretboard with a few coats of ebony black... than shoot a satin clear coat on it...I have done it in the passed and it worked perfectly for retaining the maple tone and having the ebony look...
Personally, unless you really have a huge problem with maple, I'd recommend using Jimmy's "standard" formula... at least without trying an alternative wood combo before committing (which, yes, I know, may be difficult or impossible). IMHO, that LM that I had, and the one I played at the show, just sounded "right".
Wow, AJ's Tiger's Eye burst just looks incredible...that's one of the most beautiful non-opaque tops I've ever seen...but I'd still like to see it with a dark fretboard. Having Jimmy stain a maple fretboard dark might be cool -- never thought of that (any pics, Jonno?), but why not? I just saw Mother's Finest on Sunday: their guitarist has an all-red guitar including fretboard that I thought looked really good (in a way I wouldn't go, but it worked for him) -- or the vintage tint. Good suggestions for this neurotic. I do wonder about wearing through a stained or painted fretboard.
-Steve
-Steve
Yeah, I'm trying to decide the specs of my LM-5 as well. So far, I'm thinking if I go maple it'll be an all white beast w/ blocks and binding.
Though, I've always wanted a 5 string P, so maybe a KBP-5 next. They I have start thinking maple vs rosewood on a P
I'm having the same problem Sean.
I'm trying to replace the RA5 that i got last year & found to be too light for me. (Bigg Redd Too)
I was all ready to get a KPB5 rosewood board until i played the maple board Antigua bass @ NAMM. I'm not a maple guy at all, but that bass had SOOOOOO much presence ...
I think that I'm gonna have to go with an ash/rosewood LM5.
I used to own an Atelier Z like that & only sold it because it had 17mm string spacing an was too tight for slap stuff.
The bite & depth of the ash with the warmth of the rosewood really speaks to me.
No. Seriously. Someone inform us!
Yes ... it's spalted alder.
That bass kicks ass ... and is light as a feather.
Confirmed on all three counts
Not sure which Rosewood the board is maybe, Tom can help with the taste test method
I believe his "standard" is "Indian" rosewood, and I'm pretty sure most of the basses I played at the NAMM booth were this stuff (I think there was only one DN bass there, if I recall correctly... that white KBP). Anyway, whatever it is, I'm pretty sure the ones I played were non-upgrade models, and still played and sounded amazing.
I'm going with whatever his standard is, and playing those at his booth confirmed I have nothing to be concerned about regarding tone, feel, and even looks. He's selecting some really nice dark stuff, and from what I understand, it's from VERY VERY mature stock, which is also super cool!
Confirmed on all three counts
Not sure which Rosewood the board is maybe, Tom can help with the taste test method
Looks like Indian...does it smell like chocolate? If not it is not Dalbergia...Does it smell like old red dirt? If so it is likely Honduran. Does it smell like musty, stale, old rotting wood? If so it is likely Indian or possibly even Dalbergia Stumpwood....The nose knows...
Peace,
T
Which one was the Antigua? For some reason I keep thinking
Antigua is like that fender antique white...
It's that kinda cream to grey sort of burst. Upper left in the NAMM pics on the prior page.
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