Probably ash for weight and tone. My CB fretli are ash. My fretted Rami 6 has a butternut core since I was shooting for Tim's Nordstrand DC+Audere tone.
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.
Probably ash for weight and tone. My CB fretli are ash. My fretted Rami 6 has a butternut core since I was shooting for Tim's Nordstrand DC+Audere tone.
This seems like a nice fit with that Amboyna top.
If you are going for a Bubinga fingerboard, it would also be cool to have a Bubinga top...both tonally and aesthetically.
Scale Questions, Okay Bordwell users. Have been bugging the crud out of Cliff and am about ready to order a machine from him. My question to you is a lot of you think the 32 scale works grear but have never played a 32 5 string. Want a huge sound but just don't know if he shorter scale will work for that. At the time have a Carvin Bunny Burell bass and a G&L L2500 . Would like it to play like the Carvin and sound like the G&L. What do you think 32 or 34. THANKS
I have 35" scale 4, 34" 6, and 32" scale 7. If you're used to 34" scale and like them, I'd probably do that. I'm probably going to go 34" scale for my fretless 6.
The main reason I went with 32" scale 7 was for the upper strings. It also turns out that 32" scale was a good idea because 7 strings have MASSIVE necks.
If comfort on 34" scale is an issue, definitely give 32" scale a shot.
The Carvin and G&L are both 34". I'd be asking about nut width, neck profile, and string spacing if you're wanting it to play like the Carvin.
Technically, if you want it to sound like the G&L, buy an MDF pup and pre from G&L and send them to Cliff; pretty sure he'd install almost anything you'd want.
The ONE thing about my CBs that has ruined every other bass I've touched (since owning a CB), is the neck profile (slim oval...in my case). I have small hands. I measured my finger lengths and emailed Cliff. We talked about other basses I've owned, and the aspects of each bass that I either liked, or disliked. Cliff is going to know his stuff, and give you the best advice when it comes to your personal comfort level.
Thanks for the input. Thought about the G&L MFD but they have narrow string spacing and I prefer the wider. Cliff recomened the Nordstram big splits. I am unfamiliar with them but have heard nothing but good stuff about there products.
Tslicebass
Commercial User
Christmas came early this year
A shot of the bloodwood accent layer
A touch of the zebra bass a nice touch from Cliff
Cliff was kind enough to work out a swap with me. I sent him back my Zebrawood SCB so that I could have another TS Signature. I can't put this thing down! It is absolutely the easiest playing bass I have ever laid hands on. Also, the first time I had a 5 string strung E-C. Still getting used to it but having a blast figuring it out.
Mac Ebony top, fretboard, and headstock cap. Butternut Core. Bloodwood accent. Nordstrand Dual Coil with Series/Parallel switch in the bridge, Nordstrand Big Split in the neck. Nordstrand Preamp with Passive tone, Trebile, Mid Push Pull Freq, Bass and Push Pull Active Passive. Hipshot De Tuner on E. Modern Neck. Reversible Ebony/Bloodwood ramp/dummy pickup.
A shot of the bloodwood accent layer
A touch of the zebra bass a nice touch from Cliff
Cliff was kind enough to work out a swap with me. I sent him back my Zebrawood SCB so that I could have another TS Signature. I can't put this thing down! It is absolutely the easiest playing bass I have ever laid hands on. Also, the first time I had a 5 string strung E-C. Still getting used to it but having a blast figuring it out.
Mac Ebony top, fretboard, and headstock cap. Butternut Core. Bloodwood accent. Nordstrand Dual Coil with Series/Parallel switch in the bridge, Nordstrand Big Split in the neck. Nordstrand Preamp with Passive tone, Trebile, Mid Push Pull Freq, Bass and Push Pull Active Passive. Hipshot De Tuner on E. Modern Neck. Reversible Ebony/Bloodwood ramp/dummy pickup.
Tslicebass
Commercial User
Yup. 34"
This bass has turned the most beautiful dark purple over time. I think the wood is at it's prime visually
Cliff, the koa one in the picture above is the one I told you about that I was building. I have a whole new appreciation for what you do after trying some of it myself.
Christmas came early this year
Also, the first time I had a 5 string strung E-C. Still getting used to it but having a blast figuring it out.
Mac Ebony top, fretboard, and headstock cap.
Your new bass looks great! I've also spoken with Cliff about all Ebony from headstock plate to body facing and all black hardware...possibly even headless. Your bass inspires me to keep that on my list.
As far as the E-C tuning goes, I bet chords sound fantastic with all of that Ebony. E-C tuning is also on my list, but it would be on a Parallel Chamber SCB with piezo only.
Let us know how the E-C tuning goes for you. Feel free to record this bass!
Pretty cool.
I finished a little recording with the 7 string. Guitarist just needs to record his parts when his hand heals up from tendinitis and trigger finger. I hope it's done in a month or two. I finally found a tune that utilized the entire range of the 7 string.
I finished a little recording with the 7 string. Guitarist just needs to record his parts when his hand heals up from tendinitis and trigger finger. I hope it's done in a month or two. I finally found a tune that utilized the entire range of the 7 string.
Cliff Bordwell
Commercial User
Question for Cliff. What are the more unusual control configurations you have been asked for?
Davo
Davo
Cliff Bordwell
Commercial User
Davo,
How about almost no controls for being "not the norm".
No controls on the face, just volume on the side next to the input jack.
Oh my... look at that top!
Yup. 34"
Cliff, the koa one in the picture above is the one I told you about that I was building. I have a whole new appreciation for what you do after trying some of it myself.
that was my old bass. great koa top from warmoth
Davo,
How about almost no controls for being "not the norm".
No controls on the face, just volume on the side next to the input jack.
I have discussed a number of potential builds with Cliff (Cliff is a patient man
); all of them have consisted of pickups wired straight to the output jack...no volume potentiometers even. There is the possibility of an On/Off switch for the pickup(s).
Lordy, how cool. For a long time I thought about volume only. But when it came to setting the final specs I ended up with master vol, blend, Z switch, treble, mids and bass EQ!
Thanks Cliff!
Davo
Thanks Cliff!
Davo
Davo,
How about almost no controls for being "not the norm".
No controls on the face, just volume on the side next to the input jack.
cliff what is that top wood??
