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Good source for a macassar ebony top?

TimBosby

TimBosby

Somewhere in middle America
Gold Supporting Member
Dec 19, 2004
11,931
10,240
47
Omaha, NE, USA
#1
Hello,

I'm going to be having Chris Stambaugh build me a 5-string bass soon. It will be black limba with a macassar ebony top. I'm having trouble finding a good nicely striped/variegated piece of macassar ebony large enough to work as a bookmatched bass top. Chris recommended Oregon Wild Woods, Cook Woods, and Global Wood Source. Oregon Wild Woods only has one macassar ebony top that fits what I am looking for, but it is physically too short for a bass. Cook and Global have some that seem like they would work for acoustic guitar, but may work for bass. However none of them really have that heavily variegated chocolate stripe look. Any recommendations for other places?

Thanks!
-Tim
 
#3
Link Removed

Although I am not sure if they ship to the states. I used to be a 5 minute drive from them and I loved dropping in and just wondering around. Last time I was there they had a chunk of Walnut that was 10 feet long, 4 feet wide and about 5 inches thick. I haven't stopped drooling yet.

lowsound
 
#6
Thanks everyone.

I'm kinda thinking of this one from Cook Woods:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Just having a hard time visualizing how dark it will get / how much the grain will "pop" out when it is finished in a clear gloss....?
 
#7
Does it have to be ebony? If you are looking for really dark and striped, zircote might do the job.
 
#8
TimBosby said:
Thanks everyone.

I'm kinda thinking of this one from Cook Woods:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Just having a hard time visualizing how dark it will get / how much the grain will "pop" out when it is finished in a clear gloss....?
Click to expand...

Macassar Ebony is indigenous where I live, in South East Asia. So I come across boards every now and then.

This might help you. I have build this bass with a fairly unique board:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/building-uber-j-620583/index13.html

The pictures of the finished bass should give you an idea of what kind of contrast and overall hue you should expect.

If you look at the first pages earlier in the thread you will see what that set looked like before being lacquered.

As you can see it darkens, the grain pops and the overall takes a slight reddish hue that is very pleasing IMO.

The one in your picture looks very nice albeit not a typical Mac, quite different from those I usually see - which might be what you are looking for.

If you are looking for something similar to the set I used, then I am not sure the one you're considering will give you that.

Hope it helps.

ps: Macassar, hell of a wood too work with and to stare at ;)
 
#9
Hotblack: no, I've thought about ziricote too but that seems like it is also very difficult to find in large pieces.

Miziomix - thanks for the link, looks like a really cool bass!!
 
#10
#11
Thanks! I think I may have found the jackpot though:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (should say "MaCassar")

They're acoustic backs, which means they are a bit thinner, but Chris said acoustic backs/tops should work. Some great figuring!
 
#14
I can say. I have had the opposite with Cook. I do not by mail order wood often but everything I have bought from them over the past 10+ years has always been as pictured and described.

NOTE: I seem to have been lucky, as I have read many stories like what Matt has said above, so always read the complete listing on their site and look at all pictures if you buy from any online wood seller.
 
#19
tjclem said:
Gilmer I have not had much luck with and when they changed what used to be a great site into the mess they have now I just stopped looking.
Click to expand...

I regularly buy from Gilmer and I haven't had any problem so far. I wholeheartedly agree with you on the site. The old one was waaay better. I always wonder why people feel the need to change what works.... progress?.... LOL....
 

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