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.
Cliff made it to my specs with extra-wide spacing at the nut, 2-3/16", based on an old Warmoth Wide 5 neck, but much shallower front to back and with really comfortable rolled edges. It's like an idealized classical guitar neck. I like the shape even better than my Curbows, though nothing beats Rockwood for a neck material!
As a classical guitar player, I get the wider nut spacing. The shallower neck and rolled edges sounds comfortable also.
Just pulled the trigger on another CB build to start next summer(2020).
I'm very excited!
Other than knowing it's going to be a 32" scale 4 string fretted for sure... I have no other ideas yet for it!
Any suggestions on new electronics that have come out recently?
-ScottM
I'm very excited!
Other than knowing it's going to be a 32" scale 4 string fretted for sure... I have no other ideas yet for it!
Any suggestions on new electronics that have come out recently?
-ScottM
Very exciting!
I've heard great things about the Nordstrand Zen Blades. You might check those out...
Those look really cool too.
I have had a few bass(including my last CB) with Nordstrands and they never disappoint!
I'll check them out.
-ScottM
Hello -
I recently (May 2019) took delivery of a Cliff Bordwell "Dia" high 5 with the Nordstrand Zen Blade pickups. Cliff wired them with series/parallel switches.
I can't say enough good things about the pickups - not to mention the bass - Cliff builds fantastic instruments.
This wooden bridge looks very nice with the Bloodwood and Ebony combo:
It's been a few year since my last custom build (also a Bordwell!), but I just talked with Cliff about specs for a fretless 5...
Nice! Can you share your build ideas?It's been a few year since my last custom build (also a Bordwell!), but I just talked with Cliff about specs for a fretless 5...
-ScottM
Absolutely, and thank you for asking! 
Fretless Ball Bass 5 with the same neck dimensions as my fretted 5: 2-3/16" at the nut, 20mm string spacing at the bridge and 34" scale. My favorite neck shape of any of the 5s I've owned!
Diamondwood unlined fretless board—Diamondwood/Rockwood makes an amazing fretless board
Modern maple/wenge/maple neck woods
Buckeye full top and headstock, with roasted ash body:
I toyed with the idea of a fretless Dola 5 to match my fretted, but I really like the Ball shape and thought it would look great with Buckeye.
I'm still figuring out the pickups and electronics, but will probably go with some variety of Nordstrand. I'm leaning towards Zen Blades, but I'm not sure they will be available for the 20mm spacing. I'm also tentatively planning on using trim pots inside the cavity for the EQ, and just having volume/blend/passive tone on the face of the instrument, since I virtually never tweak the EQ (but like the "active" tone...)
Fretless Ball Bass 5 with the same neck dimensions as my fretted 5: 2-3/16" at the nut, 20mm string spacing at the bridge and 34" scale. My favorite neck shape of any of the 5s I've owned!
Diamondwood unlined fretless board—Diamondwood/Rockwood makes an amazing fretless board
Modern maple/wenge/maple neck woods
Buckeye full top and headstock, with roasted ash body:
I toyed with the idea of a fretless Dola 5 to match my fretted, but I really like the Ball shape and thought it would look great with Buckeye.
I'm still figuring out the pickups and electronics, but will probably go with some variety of Nordstrand. I'm leaning towards Zen Blades, but I'm not sure they will be available for the 20mm spacing. I'm also tentatively planning on using trim pots inside the cavity for the EQ, and just having volume/blend/passive tone on the face of the instrument, since I virtually never tweak the EQ (but like the "active" tone...)
Very nice! You can't go wrong with Nordstrands!Absolutely, and thank you for asking!
Fretless Ball Bass 5 with the same neck dimensions as my fretted 5: 2-3/16" at the nut, 20mm string spacing at the bridge and 34" scale. My favorite neck shape of any of the 5s I've owned!
Diamondwood unlined fretless board—Diamondwood/Rockwood makes an amazing fretless board
Modern maple/wenge/maple neck woods
Buckeye full top and headstock, with roasted ash body:
View attachment 3664073
I toyed with the idea of a fretless Dola 5 to match my fretted, but I really like the Ball shape and thought it would look great with Buckeye.
I'm still figuring out the pickups and electronics, but will probably go with some variety of Nordstrand. I'm leaning towards Zen Blades, but I'm not sure they will be available for the 20mm spacing. I'm also tentatively planning on using trim pots inside the cavity for the EQ, and just having volume/blend/passive tone on the face of the instrument, since I virtually never tweak the EQ (but like the "active" tone...)
Very cool top, I got a Buckeye top in my next build this summer too.
-ScottM
I'm glad you asked Sir
Bass Build 2020
BIG McNeely
32" scale
4 string fretted
•Buckeye Burl full face top
•Thick Layer of Purple Heart underneath top
•Cats eye of Purple Heart at bottom right side of bass
•Two Walnut PNG stringers through top wood of bass, one on either side of pickups
•Walnut PNG back/core
•Flamed maple "thin" tone block
•Neck - Wenge with two flame maple thick stringers
•Purple Heart sap wood fretboard (thin layer of maple accent underneath)
•Flamed maple or Walnut PNG back of headstock cap
•Luminlay side dots
•Matching Walnut PNG electronics cover
•Bartolini 4-String 2J Squared - MM42CBJD3 Pickup in the sweet spot closer to bridge.
•Bartolini Jazz pickup in normal jazz bass position.
•Buckeye Burl Wood pickup caps with Purple Heart accent.
•Bartolini Preamp
•Buckeye Burl with Purple Heart Gnarled wood knobs
•Black hardware
•Thinnest body possible!!!
-ScottM
Just to put this out there, for those that are still considering shape...
When Cliff built my 6 2 years ago, I had him do a Big McNeely top horn, with the Ball bottom horn, and a rounded butt (that he did on a modified Ball once)... this thing sure flows, and he didn't charge for a custom shape:
When Cliff built my 6 2 years ago, I had him do a Big McNeely top horn, with the Ball bottom horn, and a rounded butt (that he did on a modified Ball once)... this thing sure flows, and he didn't charge for a custom shape:
