They will just be standard black covers and knobs. I do have a control layout with minimal knobs on the face and the actual EQ in the control cavity, though.
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.
They will just be standard black covers and knobs. I do have a control layout with minimal knobs on the face and the actual EQ in the control cavity, though.
I grabbed a buckeye top and birdseye fretboard and am unsure what to do for pickup and knobs. Definitely doing wood for both. Just don't know what yet. Don't want to buy an extra buckeye top just for pickup covers, and I don't think maple is the right contrast. Was hoping you would inspire me.
I haven't been a big fan of wood covers and knobs in the past, though I admit I've seen some really striking examples of both. Usually, folks seem to be trying to match the top wood so that it all seems continuous. I get that, but it's really hard to do with interesting figured woods.
If you want to stick with the Buckeye, one thing that makes a really interesting color contrast—as well as a great fretboard—is purple heart.
If you want to stick with the Buckeye, one thing that makes a really interesting color contrast—as well as a great fretboard—is purple heart.
I grabbed a buckeye top and birdseye fretboard and am unsure what to do for pickup and knobs. Definitely doing wood for both. Just don't know what yet. Don't want to buy an extra buckeye top just for pickup covers, and I don't think maple is the right contrast. Was hoping you would inspire me.
Im definitely sticking with the buckeye. And one of the reasons I'm doing wooden knobs is because I'm hyper sensitive to weight. Wooden knobs save weight, but I definitely want contrast. I need to talk to cliff about dying the buckeye. Then I could do Birdseye pickup covers and knob tops. I've seen some stunning dyed buckeye tops over the years.
So the reason I like wood pickup covers is I like ramps.
Anyway I just did some serious buckeye bass image browsing, and I think the buckeye top and Birdseye is gonna be just fine. There are plenty gorgeous Basses out there doing it. Since I'm doin black hardware, I'll be looking at maybe some dark/black pickup covers and knobs. Ebony/Bocote/etc.
Anyway I just did some serious buckeye bass image browsing, and I think the buckeye top and Birdseye is gonna be just fine. There are plenty gorgeous Basses out there doing it. Since I'm doin black hardware, I'll be looking at maybe some dark/black pickup covers and knobs. Ebony/Bocote/etc.
I went with just wooden knobs, matching the cap to the topwood, but just using ebony for the barrel part. I had it done by the same guy that drilled out my abalone side dots and replace them with plain black. The abalone was beautiful, but it was also invisible on gigs, sadly.
Yeah, I have wood knobs and pickup covers that match my fretboard on my current Bordwell, but that's redwood burl and pau ferro. Not sure what to use with a buckeye top and Birdseye fretboard. I don't think cliff can get 6 knob and 2 pickup covers out of that top. (In fact he said he can't)
You could go with Birdseye, which should be easier to get in small pieces...
One nice thing about the Fodera "newborns" site is you can do searches on different woods to see what they look like together:
Buckeye Burl Emperor II 5 Elite
Buckeye Burl Emperor II 5 Elite
My buckeye isn't as dark. I spent a good amount of time trying to find comparable pics of bases with tops in the ballpark of my top with maple necks.
Well, it may look darker with a finish. There are also lighter sections on the Emperor I linked to. But of course, it's up to you how much contrast you really want!
Hello -
Thought I'd chime in on the knob narrative. I asked Cliff to use aluminum knobs on my Bordwell - lightweight and the patina matches the pickup cover nicely.
I have no problem with that, but since I want radiused ramps for pickup covers, I need to have wood tops. I like ramps. I like the wood knobs as well. I have them now, they make the bass look more like a work of human crafted art rather than manufactured. I wish a wooden bridge and tuning machines were feasible for a fretted electric bass.
I actually replaced the original brass knobs on my Dola with aluminum ones like that--not for weight, but just because they're a lot easier to read! That reminds me, I don't think I remembered to request those on this build...
I hope everyone is having a good weekend.
I thought I'd post an old pic of three of my basses, two sold now, from back in the day.
-ScottM
I thought I'd post an old pic of three of my basses, two sold now, from back in the day.
-ScottM
I remember this from the old website. I don't think it's particularly practical, but it is beautiful.
meh, depends on what kind of sound you're going for. could have been 100% practical for the customer.
I'm not sure if Cliff will build a bridge like that again if I remember correctly. I asked him one time before and he said no.
I think he just will do a wood one for Fretless basses only now.
-ScottM
