Club Bordwell Part 3

[scottm]

Here are the specs for my next two basses that start at the end of the year/ first of 2012 I think.

************* 1st Build *************

Big McNeely body Style

6 string
Fretted 35 inch scale

Tulipwood Top (Full faced top)
Thin Purple Heart wood layer under top
Swamp Ash body
Purple Heart wood on the back of the HeadStock
Purple Heart wood on electronics plate cover
Standard Maple neck with thin Purple Heart wood stringers
I want the neck to be thinner than my other builds

Pau Ferro wood Finger board (No Radius)
Two Nordstrand single pickups
Passive with no electronics
1 larger Pau Ferro wood pickup cover slammed up against the bridge
Pau Ferro wood knobs

Silver Hardware with the ultra light tunners.




************* 2nd Build *************

Big McNeely body Style

6 string
Fretless 35 inch scale
Strung as E is the lowest string (Not sure what the highest string would be)

Zebra Wood Top (Full faced top)
Thick Wenge wood layer under top
Spanish Cedar body
Wenge wood on the back of the HeadStock
Wenge wood on electronics plate cover
Standard Maple neck with those black stringers
I want the neck to be thinner than my other builds

Mac Ebony wood Finger board (No Radius)
One Nordstrand double coil pickup
Passive with no electronics
1 Zebra Wood pickup cover located in the sweet spot.
Zebra Wood knobs

Black Hardware with the ultra light tunners.

Wanted to add, the specs haven't been approved by Cliff yet, so there might be some changes.

-ScottM

 

[spade2you]

Standard E string or octave below?

 

[scottm]

Standard E string or octave below?

Standard, basically a 6 stringer missing the low B and adding a higher string above the high C. Since I already have a five string fretless with a low B.

-ScottM

 

[spade2you]

Standard, basically a 6 stringer missing the low B and adding a higher string above the high C. Since I already have a five string fretless with a low B.

-ScottM

Makes sense. For the fretless, I might suggest a slightly shorter scale length. My 7 is tuned an octave below a 7 string guitar and the 32" scale works well for the high E. In 35" scale, you're basically limited to a .020, which is the smallest wound string. If you don't like that, you can go with a plain steel string, but the overall change in dynamic is very great on a fretless.

 

[scottm]

Makes sense. For the fretless, I might suggest a slightly shorter scale length. My 7 is tuned an octave below a 7 string guitar and the 32" scale works well for the high E. In 35" scale, you're basically limited to a .020, which is the smallest wound string. If you don't like that, you can go with a plain steel string, but the overall change in dynamic is very great on a fretless.

Do you have trouble playing a fretless of that scale? Im not getting fret lines, so I think I might find that hard to play since all my other basses are 35 inch scale. I thought about getting the fretted bass a 32 inch scale though... maybe I should do both.

-ScottM

 

[spade2you]

Do you have trouble playing a fretless of that scale? Im not getting fret lines, so I think I might find that hard to play since all my other basses are 35 inch scale. I thought about getting the fretted bass a 32 inch scale though... maybe I should do both.

-ScottM

I don't have a problem jumping between 30", 32", and 35" scale fretli, but the obvious YMMV would apply here. I also have 33" and 34" scale fretted basses. Needless to say, I enjoy the new and different configurations, which seems to force me to constantly adapt.

32" could be an option for ya, especially with Cliff. I'd also encourage ya getting both as 7s, so you could kill many 2-4 birds with the same gigantic stone. J/K.

 

[scottm]

I don't have a problem jumping between 30", 32", and 35" scale fretli, but the obvious YMMV would apply here. I also have 33" and 34" scale fretted basses. Needless to say, I enjoy the new and different configurations, which seems to force me to constantly adapt.

32" could be an option for ya, especially with Cliff. I'd also encourage ya getting both as 7s, so you could kill many 2-4 birds with the same gigantic stone. J/K.

... Actually I have been really thinking of asking Cliff to make them both 7's or 32's.

He mentioned using Marblewood instead? Do you know of the tone characteristics of Marblewood? It looks pretty cool.

Thanks for the advice.

-ScottM

 

[spade2you]

... Actually I have been really thinking of asking Cliff to make them both 7's or 32's.

He mentioned using Marblewood instead? Do you know of the tone characteristics of Marblewood? It looks pretty cool.

Thanks for the advice.

-ScottM

Never heard of marblewood.

I suppose if you're trying to do something differen-ish, making them both 7s would be a little on the unique side.

Not sure which I'll be ordering 1st, but I'll be ordering the fanned 7 at some point. I have plans of a P/MM with TI Jazz flats that I'd love to order as a 7, but I'm SOL with finding a flatwound high string like that at this point.

 

[scottm]

Never heard of marblewood.

I suppose if you're trying to do something differen-ish, making them both 7s would be a little on the unique side.

Not sure which I'll be ordering 1st, but I'll be ordering the fanned 7 at some point. I have plans of a P/MM with TI Jazz flats that I'd love to order as a 7, but I'm SOL with finding a flatwound high string like that at this point.

I would love to see this fanned 7.

Cliff said Marble is a lot like Zebrawood, so it looks like that is what I will be going for.

This build has come up quick, which has gotten me excited. Been so busy with work I haven't been able to play as much lately.

-ScottM

 

[spade2you]

I would love to see this fanned 7.

Cliff said Marble is a lot like Zebrawood, so it looks like that is what I will be going for.

This build has come up quick, which has gotten me excited. Been so busy with work I haven't been able to play as much lately.

-ScottM

Based on some google pics, marblewood would seem to have the right vibe that you're looking for.

The fanned 7 will most likely be a modified SC with the strap button somewhat near the 10th fret or so. I'm planning on 36"-33" scale so far and need to worry about bringing in the 1st position since I'm a tad on the small side. It'll be chambered in some way. I'd like pale moon ebony for everything on top, but I'm not sure if Cliff will be able to find sufficient supply. If it's unavailable, I'm not sure what I'll go with, other than something I don't already have and suitable for chambers.

The P/MM will be 2 tone amboyna burl with some stabilized bubinga for the fingerboard.

 

[scottm]

Based on some google pics, marblewood would seem to have the right vibe that you're looking for.

The fanned 7 will most likely be a modified SC with the strap button somewhat near the 10th fret or so. I'm planning on 36"-33" scale so far and need to worry about bringing in the 1st position since I'm a tad on the small side. It'll be chambered in some way. I'd like pale moon ebony for everything on top, but I'm not sure if Cliff will be able to find sufficient supply. If it's unavailable, I'm not sure what I'll go with, other than something I don't already have and suitable for chambers.

The P/MM will be 2 tone amboyna burl with some stabilized bubinga for the fingerboard.

I would love a Pale Moon Ebony wood topped bass; if only it wasn't so hard to find. I love how my two CB basses are chambered, but I would really like to try that more expensive chambered option Cliff offers.

-ScottM

 

[TapyTap]

I would love a Pale Moon Ebony wood topped bass; if only it wasn't so hard to find. I love how my two CB basses are chambered, but I would really like to try that more expensive chambered option Cliff offers.

-ScottM

A Parallel Chamber CB is definitely on my list. In what fashion are your other basses chambered?

I hear rumor that one of your current Bordwell basses might have a Maple core. Is this so?

 

[scottm]

A Parallel Chamber CB is definitely on my list. In what fashion are your other basses chambered?

I hear rumor that one of your current Bordwell basses might have a Maple core. Is this so?

He hollows out some of the body core before he caps the top. It is his little secret, but it helps with weight and adds a nice acoustic flavor to the sound.

I thought about getting a maple core, but I'm going with ash on one of the 6 strings and cedar on the other.

-ScottM

 

[TapyTap]

He hollows out some of the body core before he caps the top. It is his little secret, but it helps with weight and adds a nice acoustic flavor to the sound.

I thought about getting a maple core, but I'm going with ash on one of the 6 strings and cedar on the other.

-ScottM

The hollow body is interesting to me, but I would be concerned about the potential for a bit of "boominess" in the sound. However, the Parallel Chamber is just genius! I imagine that Cliff can pull out great tone with either approach.

Tslicebass had mentioned that you might have owned a Maple core Bordwell in the past, and I was curious what you thought about it if that was the case.

 

[spade2you]

I would love a Pale Moon Ebony wood topped bass; if only it wasn't so hard to find. I love how my two CB basses are chambered, but I would really like to try that more expensive chambered option Cliff offers.

-ScottM

I'm unsure which I'll try. I think Cliff mentioned I can get the 6 lighter if I use his other chambering method. With the fanned 7, I'll have to proceed very cautiously since I don't want to overshoot a safe weight with balance.

I think most of us knew that Larry of Gallery Hardwoods was retiring. Perhaps I should have been more aggressive since I've wanted pale moon ebony for a while. Much like my original CB, sometimes it's really cool when you can get the same wood for the top and fingerboard. I really can't complain too much since I've managed to snag some nice lumber over the years. Perhaps I'll order the 6 first and try to hunt down a large supply of the ebony.

 

[echoSE7EN]

I was talking more about extending the string a bit by either moving the anchor point behind the body about 1". You could also maybe add a fish tail to take up the extra string length.

You could see if Curt Mangan strings can make medium scale 32" scale flatwounds. ....which reminds me, I need to order a .020 for my 7 to try and a few 32" scale low B strings.

I received an answer from the folks at Callowhill. Hipshot will change the string hole size on their machine to accept a full thickness...meaning the TIs on Biddle's bass are 34". They've simply been chopped down to fit the scale length.

Going to hit up Hipshot CS and see what the skinny is.

 

[spade2you]

I received an answer from the folks at Callowhill. Hipshot will change the string hole size on their machine to accept a full thickness...meaning the TIs on Biddle's bass are 34". They've simply been chopped down to fit the scale length.

Going to hit up Hipshot CS and see what the skinny is.

Hmph. Interesting. Didn't know they could do that.

 

[scottm]

The hollow body is interesting to me, but I would be concerned about the potential for a bit of "boominess" in the sound. However, the Parallel Chamber is just genius! I imagine that Cliff can pull out great tone with either approach.

Tslicebass had mentioned that you might have owned a Maple core Bordwell in the past, and I was curious what you thought about it if that was the case.

Sorry about that, Tslicebass was right, I thought you were referring to my two new builds. I had a maple core in my single cut CB. It helped with giving the bass a nice even tone from bottom to top end. However, it did not give it a real deep sounding tight end that I prefer, and that is why I sold that bass.
Hope that helps.

Been really ironing out the details of these next two. Cliff has been a great help with some of the decissions I have been struggling with.

-ScottM

 

[TapyTap]

Sorry about that, Tslicebass was right, I thought you were referring to my two new builds. I had a maple core in my single cut CB. It helped with giving the bass a nice even tone from bottom to top end. However, it did not give it a real deep sounding tight end that I prefer, and that is why I sold that bass.
Hope that helps.

Been really ironing out the details of these next two. Cliff has been a great help with some of the decissions I have been struggling with.

-ScottM

Based on how I worded my post, I can see why you thought I was referring to your new builds...I am sorry for the lack of clarity on my part. Thanks for clearing things up for me.

You mentioned that the Maple core did not give you a deep sounding tight end. I am not surprised that the low end was not deep, but I am surprised that the low end was not tight...or maybe it was tight without being deep?

Your two new builds sound very interesting to me, and they have many features that I am also considering myself. Specifically, I am interested in the Ash and Spanish Cedar bodies with the passive electronics /pickup positions that you have chosen.

Thanks for all of your help. It is really nice to have feedback from other Bordwell owners about their instruments. Certainly, Cliff has also been most helpful to me as I try to narrow down what it is that I am after. So many possibilities!

 

[scottm]

Based on how I worded my post, I can see why you thought I was referring to your new builds...I am sorry for the lack of clarity on my part. Thanks for clearing things up for me.

You mentioned that the Maple core did not give you a deep sounding tight end. I am not surprised that the low end was not deep, but I am surprised that the low end was not tight...or maybe it was tight without being deep?

Your two new builds sound very interesting to me, and they have many features that I am also considering myself. Specifically, I am interested in the Ash and Spanish Cedar bodies with the passive electronics specs/pickup positions that you have chosen.

Thanks for all of your help. It is really nice to have feedback from other Bordwell owners about their instruments. Certainly, Cliff has also been most helpful to me as I try to narrow down what it is that I am after. So many possibilities!

Glad I could help.

Cliff just sent over the total of what the basses are going to cost me, and I'm always happy with the prices being as low as they are with all the options I add. You get a lot for your money with him, at a very high quality.

Is anyone here on the next build about to start?

-ScottM