Custom Wood

[JBL]

Hello all, I was thinking of getting a bass built using buckeye burl, but I wanted to supply to wood myself. Anyway about what size slab would I need for the body and headstock. Also could someone give me a little insight into the actual process i.e. topping the body with the wood etc. Lastly, could you also post pictures of other spalted/burl woods that may look good? I really appreciate the help. Sincerely, JBL

 

[FBB Custom]

Have you gone over this with your luthier?

Buckeye is not easy to buy. It's loaded with voids, cracks, and inclusions and even dirt and rocks if you buy it in slab form. Buying a slab that fits the necessary dimensions does not guarantee a usable top as a result.

If you are buying pre-prepared tops from a luthier supplier then you are probably okay. Buying slab wood...if you are not experienced in buying wood you could run into trouble. Personally, I would hesitate to take a piece of buckeye from a customer. I would want to check it out with the option of rejecting it if it was not going to work out.

 

[Basschair]

Hello all, I was thinking of getting a bass built using buckeye burl, but I wanted to supply to wood myself. Anyway about what size slab would I need for the body and headstock. Also could someone give me a little insight into the actual process i.e. topping the body with the wood etc. Lastly, could you also post pictures of other spalted/burl woods that may look good? I really appreciate the help. Sincerely, JBL

Hi JBL,

To me, there's some ambiguity as to what you're trying to do. Do you want the entire body to be build out of solid buckeye (the first couple sentences seem to say this)? Or, do you want a more stable core wood and to glue down a top of buckeye?

As far as spalted/burl woods go, well, here is the Gallery Hardwoods forum and here is the link to Exotic Wood Brokers . Search their forums and you'll find lots of pics. I believe they each also have seperate websites with pics as well.

 

[JBL]

The wood isn't set in stone yet, just trying to get some opinions and different views for curiousity's sake.

 

[JBL]

Hi JBL,

To me, there's some ambiguity as to what you're trying to do. Do you want the entire body to be build out of solid buckeye (the first couple sentences seem to say this)? Or, do you want a more stable core wood and to glue down a top of buckeye?

As far as spalted/burl woods go, well, here is the Gallery Hardwoods forum and here is the link to Exotic Wood Brokers . Search their forums and you'll find lots of pics. I believe they each also have seperate websites with pics as well.

I want to glue the buckeye (or whatever wood I end up using) to a more stable core.

 

[Basschair]

I want to glue the buckeye (or whatever wood I end up using) to a more stable core.

Have you looked through these pics:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175167 (huge post)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179512 (these are all sold, I believe, but they're good pics of wood)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227863
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233379
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232469

Please don't consider this a "plug" for either of these guys. They both have forums here, and these threads are open to the public...I'm just guiding you to them. Hope these help satisfy your desire for wood pics!

B.C. Paul

 

[JBL]

Have you looked through these pics:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175167 (huge post)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179512 (these are all sold, I believe, but they're good pics of wood)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227863
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233379
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232469

Please don't consider this a "plug" for either of these guys. They both have forums here, and these threads are open to the public...I'm just guiding you to them. Hope these help satisfy your desire for wood pics!

B.C. Paul

Thanks, I really appreciate all of the pictures. JBL

 

[erikbojerik]

Spalted maple is nice too, but keep it no thicker than 1/4". It's like putting a layer of pretty cornbread on top of your body.