• 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.

Club Bordwell Part 2.

Status
Not open for further replies.
#21
Hey guys, I'm currently having a bit of a dilemma with my CB specing out and while Cliff's being really helpful always good having some second or third opinions IMO.

In terms of tone, well I'm not great at describing sounds - so I hope it doesn't sound ridiculous. Basically I want the bass to be able to do two things very well, and easily:

1. A fat, deep (but articulate) growly sound. Almost entirely for band work, basslines, fingerstyle playing. Really warm and smooth, slightly aggressive. I find my thumb lacks enough bass, and is too mid-rangy as well as being a bit harsh and not fat enough. I like a mid-range bump, but nothing too dramatic. Think Colin Edwards sound for Porcupine Tree, especially something like "hatesong" thick and depp, but still able to cut through slightly. Definitely NOT a traditional sound

2. A clear, but deep sound for chords. I write a lot of my own music, and I love chords. With some instruments the chords are either too thin, or muddy, I'm searching for the balance between those extremes. Also works for harmonics

What I DON'T need:

1. jaco-esque burp

2. Marcus Miller slap

Cliff suggested I choose either Walnut, Ash or Spanish Cedar for a body wood. I tentatively went for Ash, because I have Walnut already (and do like the tone, but it's on fretless so comparisons are hard) - I'm really not sure, I associate Ash with 70's jazz basses, which aren't what I'm after.

He also suggested Nordstrand pickups, I'm a bit hesitant - I think they might be too old school for me (well the SC model he suggested, at least) - the clips on basstasters certainly seemed not to my liking one bit, so I'm in a conundrum.

What do you duders recommend?
 
#22
On my former Rami posted on the first page, I had an alder body, rosewood fretboard, Audere Z-mode pre, and Nordstrand pickups and it definitely did deep and fat with some growl. It also sounded phenomenal with slap, which I rarely do in an actual song.

I, however, didn't have an external treble control, so I think it could have gotten pretty aggressive if I needed it to, but it got pretty close with the High Z mode and some slight bass boost.

Hope this helps.

Tslice, I still absolutely love both of your basses. Great looking, especially the purpleheart.

Justin
 
#23
bassman74 said:
I'm finalizing my cb bass order but can't decidebetween all the options...

For those of you who has a 5 string cb bass with 34'' scale how's your b-string?

can't decide between 34'' and 35''

I can't also decide between ash, mahogany and walnut for body wood.

I play mostly rock, funk and blues... this bass will be mostly used for fingerplaying...

thanks for your help
Click to expand...

I have a 34" 5 string and the B string is one of... if not the best I have ever heard. It is super clear and defined and not too loud or too soft, or too tight or loose.. just perfect. I even took it over to Jauqo III X place once for him to check out and for us to hang. If you know Jauqo you know he is all about the low strings (he has a bass tuned C# F# B E... thats C# and F# below a normal B string) He said the B string was one of the best he has ever played... and trust me, Jauqo has played a TON of basses.
In terms of body wood... I wouldn't worry about it all too much. All three of those sound like good choices. I would personally go Ash.
 
#24
theNoseBleedKid said:
Hey guys, I'm currently having a bit of a dilemma with my CB specing out and while Cliff's being really helpful always good having some second or third opinions IMO.

In terms of tone, well I'm not great at describing sounds - so I hope it doesn't sound ridiculous. Basically I want the bass to be able to do two things very well, and easily:

1. A fat, deep (but articulate) growly sound. Almost entirely for band work, basslines, fingerstyle playing. Really warm and smooth, slightly aggressive. I find my thumb lacks enough bass, and is too mid-rangy as well as being a bit harsh and not fat enough. I like a mid-range bump, but nothing too dramatic. Think Colin Edwards sound for Porcupine Tree, especially something like "hatesong" thick and depp, but still able to cut through slightly. Definitely NOT a traditional sound

2. A clear, but deep sound for chords. I write a lot of my own music, and I love chords. With some instruments the chords are either too thin, or muddy, I'm searching for the balance between those extremes. Also works for harmonics

What I DON'T need:

1. jaco-esque burp

2. Marcus Miller slap

Cliff suggested I choose either Walnut, Ash or Spanish Cedar for a body wood. I tentatively went for Ash, because I have Walnut already (and do like the tone, but it's on fretless so comparisons are hard) - I'm really not sure, I associate Ash with 70's jazz basses, which aren't what I'm after.

He also suggested Nordstrand pickups, I'm a bit hesitant - I think they might be too old school for me (well the SC model he suggested, at least) - the clips on basstasters certainly seemed not to my liking one bit, so I'm in a conundrum.

What do you duders recommend?
Click to expand...

Ash body, Nordstrand Dual Coil pickups and an Audere preamp. That should cover all those needs. The dual coils are awesome for chordal stuff with the Audere... especially if you use the Z mode switch in High Z. Also, the Nordstrand-Audere combo does super fat and also very clear and articulate.
Remember though... a lot of it is in the hands and technique. But I think Ash, Nordstrand Dual Coils and Audere is a winning combo. What type of fingerboard did you decide on. That will make a big difference too
 
#25
Tslicebass said:
I would suggest going chambered. Definitely go with an ebony board. I don't think the body wood matters as much. Probably try to get a bridge with piezo pickups... match that with a nice dual coil near the p position. If you want upright thud then tapewounds or flats are the way to go. But if you want mwah and sustain then standard rounds will do the trick. Everybody has been telling me I have been getting a real good upright sound out of my fretless... but honestly i think it really all comes down to your technique and hands. The electric is never really going to sound all that much like an upright (the Rob Allen Mouse is the closest thing I have heard)... 2 totally different animals. Best thing to do is try to develop a distinctive voice that is somewhere in between the usual fretless tone (jaco-mwah , etc.) and an upright sound.
Click to expand...

Actually, in recent times I've found that an MB2 with a 2 band EQ can do a slightly better upright impression than the Mouse 30. The 2 band was formerly used on the Deep 5, but I was lucky enough to get one in my MB2 6er. With the bass cranked and the treb cut, both 100%, I was blown away with the overall tone.

My Conklin has stainless steel strings and a Hipshot bridge with piezo saddles and a Dymondwood fingerboard and ultralow action. Even with the piezo and 3 band EQ w/multiple mids, it doesn't quite have the depth of the Rob Allen and too much mwahh for an upright sound, although much more of a Jaco sound than any of my Rob Allens could dream of.

Long story short, Jaco and upright don't come from the same bass. My CB can get a Jamerson type of sound when I solo the P pickup, cut the highs, and crank the bass+low mids. Of anything I've owned, it probably has the closest sound one could get from a magnetic pickup.

Faking an upright has a lot to do with technique, but I think the bass has more to do with the overall sound than some would like to admit.
 
#26
Tslicebass said:
Ash body, Nordstrand Dual Coil pickups and an Audere preamp. That should cover all those needs. The dual coils are awesome for chordal stuff with the Audere... especially if you use the Z mode switch in High Z. Also, the Nordstrand-Audere combo does super fat and also very clear and articulate.
Remember though... a lot of it is in the hands and technique. But I think Ash, Nordstrand Dual Coils and Audere is a winning combo. What type of fingerboard did you decide on. That will make a big difference too
Click to expand...

Cliff is suggesting Pau Ferro.

Cliff suggested I go for a single coil in the neck and a dual coil in the 'bridge' - so I think that will work well. Although I'm tempted to get the dual coil place closer to a P/MM bass point then right at the bridge a la 70's bass bass.
 
#27
Here they finally are, the spec for my First CB bass, i just finalized all the details with Cliff....

Singlecut 5-strings Standard
Dimensions
Scale length: 34''
Neck shape: oval
Neck thickness(1st fret): +/- 0.810 - 0.820'' (my favorite 5 string neck is 0.800'' + polyurethane finish)
Spacing at Bridge: 19mm
Body thickness: thick enough to be able to switch to active one day
Construction
Neck: "Modern"
Fingerboard: Wenge
Fingerboard Radius: 20''
Nut: Stabilized Ebony
Full faced top
Body woods: Ash
Top woood: Zebrawood (1/4 sawn)
Accent veneers:No
Headstock Plate: Zebrawood
Rear Cavity Cover: Ash
Hardware
Color: Black
Bridge: Hipshot style "A"
Tuners: Hipshot Ultralites
Control Knobs: ebony dome knob
Truss rod: two-way adjustable
Strap locks: Dunlpop flush mount (black)
Strings: DR Highbeams 45-105
Electronics
Pickups: 2 x Nordstrand big singles
Preamp: no
Passive Controls: Volume, Tone, Volume, Tone
Output: 1/4" Top mounted
 
#28
Congrats bassman74. You'll love the passive sound you can get out of your Nordstrand pickups!
When does your build start?

I just ordered a four stringer BIG McNeely with a Zebrawood top. :bassist:

-ScottM
 
#32
Can't wait to see it, i like 6 string basses if only my hand were tall enough!

Ash and pao ferro, you won't lack punch!!!

I really like the DC pup in middle position idea...

Tell me more about flat radius, have you ever tried it?
 
#36
Two out of the three CB basses I own have a flat radius, and I prefer them. Seems like it might be a little more comfortable to play the bass with the raduised fingerboard when slapping.

For whoever asked for pictures of us wearing our basses, here's a link showing me with my BIG McNeely. I did a direct link so that I would let everyone make their own choice if they want to go blind or not :)
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i183/scottmcneely/1022091917.jpg

-ScottM
 
#40
Hey Scottm,

how do you like you dave king wood knobs?

which size are yours Large,extra-large???

I'm thinking about getting some...

I need 6 knobs so it will cost me 126$ dollars to get them, i just wanna know if they worth it...

BTW, the bass should fit me right too because i'm almost as skinny as you....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back