LowWay’s 2020 Bordwell build thread

[LowWay]

Thought I’d start a thread to document my quest for another Bordwell 6.5 pound 34” 4 string.

May be looking for input from fellow Bordwell owners as well on a few details.

my plan is a second “S” bass. I love my current one. I’ve had it a while now (over a decade?) and think I’m looking to tweak a few things I wish were different on my near perfect bass.

Goals: keep the weight down. I have nerve problems in my neck and shoulder.

Higher output pickups (I bought my current bass barely used).

Maybe rounder neck profile.

Maybe P/J setup instead of J/J setup. My favorite sounding bass I’ve ever owned was a Pedula MVP 4 P/J, but the solid maple body was a killer. Too heavy. Maybe a Humbucker in the bridge position with a coil tap? Would love some pointers to pickup recommendations. I’m out of touch on the gear front these days.

exotic top!

I’ll also be using this thread to track my decisions as they go, so you can play along at home if you want.

mill post my initial decisions in the next post and start soliciting pickup advice from anyone with thoughts on the matter.

 

[LowWay]

So initial decisions:

hybrid top And headstock plate, based on stabilized amboyna burl. 3 piece figured maple neck with accent wood (like my current bass, pictured below). Birdseye maple fretboard. Amapola body wood.

Things to figure out next: hardware, electronics, neck profiles.

Current bass followed by hybrid top:

 

[LowWay]

So, looking for thoughts on pickups, preamps, and neck profiles. I’m looking for something maybe a little more rounded than I have for a neck, but still 1.5” at the nut.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Subscribed. I love build threads.

 

[Lackey]

Cool! I'm going with a Spanish Cedar body to keep the weight down - my solid Walnut Dola is the heaviest bass I have - heavier than my massive TRB-6...

 

[scottm]

That hybrid top is insane!
I can’t wait to see how this one comes along!
Tip - go for the glow in the dark side dots, they’re a really cool inexpensive option.


-ScottM

 

[Lackey]

So, looking for thoughts on pickups, preamps, and neck profiles. I’m looking for something maybe a little more rounded than I have for a neck, but still 1.5” at the nut.

I'm going with a single Nordstrand Dual Coil, roughly MM "sweet spot" position, series with a single coil tap, passive tone.

I have come to the realization that I'm drawn to the thickness of dual coils in series, I play mostly fingerstyle and I do harbor an affinity for burpy dark fusion bassing...

I've really grown fond of my DiMarzio model P equipped BB300 as well, and I tend to mess around with slap more on that, as well as playing along to groovy stuff like Sade or Preoccupations.

With that said, I've still got a number of dual pickup / J style basses, and they definitely have their place, especially fretless.

...this probably didn't help.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Subscribed as well. I'm hoping to get into Cliff's build queue soon!

5sg.

 

[LowWay]

That hybrid top is insane!
I can’t wait to see how this one comes along!
Tip - go for the glow in the dark side dots, they’re a really cool inexpensive option.


-ScottM

definitely doing this.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Cliff is happy to work with you on your preferred neck shape, especially since you already have an existing CB to reference. When you go through spec'ing a build, the build sheet includes things like neck profile, depth, and nut width. I expect Cliff still has the specs on your current bass, so it should be a fairly simple matter to say "I want it like mine, but a 1/8" deeper"...

My Dola 5 has much wider neck than most people prefer, but Cliff did an amazing job on it.

As for pickups and preamps, I've been happy with Nordstrand, and they make a wide variety of pickups and are happy to talk with you about what kind of tone you're looking for.

So, looking for thoughts on pickups, preamps, and neck profiles. I’m looking for something maybe a little more rounded than I have for a neck, but still 1.5” at the nut.

 

[LowWay]

Anybody have some good resources to compare pickups with? I’ve only ever owned J/J or P/J Basses. I’m open to trying something new.

my current CB is pretty low output and not strong enough to drive my compressore without a boost pedal first. I’d like a little hotter output as I’m an amateur hack and my dynamic control could use some taming.

i like Lackey’s suggestions about the Nordstrom dual coil and a P as I play mostly finger style and a smattering of slap. Not sure if the sweet spot for these pickups would be compatible.

Would be great to find some good YouTube vids or something comparing these.

I play a lot of garage rock/pop punk/joe Jackson - The Clash influenced. Mike watt is a big hero (though I don’t always love his tone). I love ‘80s mtv era post punk/new wave, Motown/Jackson 5/Sly and the family stone. Finger style syncopation and tasteful slapping in a pop-punk/garage rock context. Any pointers to good sound samples are desperately needed. I’ve been combing the web and been unhappy with my google and YouTube search skills.

 

[LowWay]

Cliff is happy to work with you on your preferred neck shape, especially since you already have an existing CB to reference. When you go through spec'ing a build, the build sheet includes things like neck profile, depth, and nut width. I expect Cliff still has the specs on your current bass, so it should be a fairly simple matter to say "I want it like mine, but a 1/8" deeper"...

My Dola 5 has much wider neck than most people prefer, but Cliff did an amazing job on it.

As for pickups and preamps, I've been happy with Nordstrand, and they make a wide variety of pickups and are happy to talk with you about what kind of tone you're looking for.

he and I have already talked about this. I wish I still had my pedula or my brubaker. The pedula mvp4 was just a hair too big, and the brubaker was pretty close to perfect in my memory.

I’m sure I’ll get to where I need to go. He definitely is easy to work with and his craftsmanship is top notch.

I got really sick last year, and moved early this year, and my bass went I played for 18 months, and was moved in a gig bag. I pulled it out and it was still in tune. Amazing. My hands are crap. I am so out of playing shape, but it was a joy to get going again.

 

[LowWay]

I just listened to a ton of Nordstrom demo clips. This is the one that sold me:



the fact that he got a $300 bass hitting some of the exact tones I was looking for, with those pickups wired in series in passive mode makes me think I’ll have no problems dialing in the tones I’m looking for if I include a preamp and switches to switch into single coil mode as well. Those things sound amazing.

pickups: Nordstrom dual coil with type V magnets.

now to find the right preamp...

 

[LowWay]

I just noticed my autocorrect was turning Nordstrand into Nordstrom repeatedly. I thought technology was our friend.

 

[LowWay]

So I’ve discussed it with Cliff, and we’re doing the Nordstrand DCs with parallel wind, 3 way switch (single/parallel/series) and 3b-4a pre-amp. I’m getting really excited.

Trying to push for spalted maple fretboard. Waiting to hear about feasibility based on my other constraints.

Now time to start picking hardware.

Bridge, tuners, strap locks. Looking for something a little more customizable like the sperzels. Gonna do some research today. Build-a-bass is a lot of fun.

also still need to get the neck radius right. I’ll be looking for help in some threads in other subforums.

 

[Lackey]

So I’ve discussed it with Cliff, and we’re doing the Nordstrand DCs with parallel wind, 3 way switch (single/parallel/series) and 3b-4a pre-amp. I’m getting really excited.

Trying to push for spalted maple fretboard. Waiting to hear about feasibility based on my other constraints.

Now time to start picking hardware.

Bridge, tuners, strap locks. Looking for something a little more customizable like the sperzels. Gonna do some research today. Build-a-bass is a lot of fun.

also still need to get the neck radius right. I’ll be looking for help in some threads in other subforums.

Why the parallel wind DCs? I thought you were trending towards series. Just curious.

I'm going with a flag non radiused board myself.

 

[LowWay]

Why the parallel wind DCs? I thought you were trending towards series. Just curious.

I'm going with a flag non radiused board myself.

I talked to Cliff about it. With the parallel wind, he can install a 3 way switch to toggle between series, parallel, and single coil. Since I love the classic Jazz Bass single coil sound, and I can put them in series mode, and the preamp allows for passive mode, seems like a win. I’m just taking a leap of faith, as I’ve not heard the parallel wind in series mode played in a style similar to mine, and I’d love the tonal options.

this thing is quickly becoming my dream bass.

 

[LowWay]

So it looks like I’m locked in on the top (above) and Birdseye maple for the fretboard. Nordstrand DC pickups and pre-amp.

looking most likely hipshot US ultralights and D style bridge in black.

thinking about wood covers for pickups and wood knobs. I love those features on my current bass. But what I’d love to do is get the pickup covers and knobs made from the blue parts of the top. I think that would make a better accent then using Birdseye to match the fretboard. I don’t know if he can do it. He’s traveling this weekend. I look forward to his return.

 

[LowWay]

We have 95% of the specs ironed out, we’re gonna try some things I don’t think he’s done before. We made up a deposit even though some of my costs are still unknown, and I paid it today and am officially in the queue!

As soon as we finish up the spec sheet, I’ll be posting it here. And hopefully my request for a fretboard unlike any I’ve seen him do can be pulled off.

 

[LowWay]

Looks like I’m about 15 months out.

also changing the plan on the fretboard already. I think we have everything worked out but the knob wood and the neck profile. I’m expecting new calipers tomorrow to measure my current neck, so we should be buttoned up pretty quickly on final specs. Then I just have to wait 15 months. Lol.