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My Cliff Bordwell Build

#41
Michael C. said:
I thought it would be fun to create a build thread for the Cliff Bordwell (CB Basses) bass I commissioned in February of 2018. The build was started on 12/28/2018.

Here are the specs:

CB Basses Dia (double cut)
5-string E-C tuning
Scale length: 32"
Neck shape: Oval (for thinner feel) - thickness at 1st Fret: .850 (for stability).
String spacing at Bridge: 19mm
Body thickness: 1.475
Neck: CB Classic - Three piece Quartersawn Maple
Fingerboard: Pau Ferro
Fingerboard Radius: 16"
Mandolin frets (small narrow)
Nut: Dymondwood
Truss rod: two-way adjustable
Full faced top: Maple burl #51
Body: Alder
Headstock shape: "B"
Headstock plate: Maple burl #51
Rear cavity cover: Black
Hardware Color: Chrome (bridge and tuners) and black (knobs, switches and output jack nut)
Bridge: Hipshot style "A" - Aluminum
Tuners: Hipshot USA Ultralites
Strap buttons: Chrome
Output: 1/4" Face mount
Electronics - Pickups: Nordstrand Zen Blade 5 in EMG40 covers
Knobs: Black aluminum
Large Black Aluminum Knob - Best Bass Gear
Controls: V/V/Tone - .047 Paper-In-Oil Tone Capacitor Angela Copper Foil Paper In Oil Capacitor, .047uF/630VDC
Switches (black): (2) – Series Parallel for each pickup
Gig Bag: Standard Pro-Tec


Here are some pics - more to follow as the build progresses.

The topwood in it's raw state:
View attachment 3329167
The top enhanced:
View attachment 3306628

The top closeup:
View attachment 3306301

The headstock:
View attachment 3306302


The pickups
View attachment 3313040

The bridge
View attachment 3313046

The tuners
BBG-5119.jpg


The knobs
View attachment 3313042

The paper in oil cap
View attachment 3314900
Click to expand...
 
#42
Michael C. said:
The Zen Blades sound awesome. I spoke with Stew and Adrian at Nordstrand before making the choice - their advice was spot on - the pickups are very warm but clear at the same time.
The switches are subtle but very effective - with both pickups in series the bass sounds like my 1965 Fender Jazz. If I put the neck pickup in parallel mode the tone "tightens" up (kind of like a Bartolini or an EMG - more focused - great for walking bass). Both pickups in parallel mode offers an even "tighter" tone - perfect for soloing - lovin' it.
Click to expand...

How quiet are they in the hum-canceling department? Tone aside, I do dig the look of two screws per pickup rather than three.
 
#43
TapyTap said:
How quiet are they in the hum-canceling department? Tone aside, I do dig the look of two screws per pickup rather than three.
Click to expand...

They are very quiet (If you need info on the pickups the guys at Nordstrand are very accessible - give them a call).
The covers are EMG-40 style (two screw mount).
Nordstrand offers the Bartolini-P2 style covers as well (three screw mount). Hope that helps.

BTW - the bass is off the charts - Cliff builds amazing instruments.
 
#44
Michael C. said:
They are very quiet (If you need info on the pickups the guys at Nordstrand are very accessible - give them a call).
The covers are EMG-40 style (two screw mount).
Nordstrand offers the Bartolini-P2 style covers as well (three screw mount). Hope that helps.

BTW - the bass is off the charts - Cliff builds amazing instruments.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Enjoy that beautiful instrument!
 
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#49
scottm said:
His necks are the best in the business! I make the smallest tweak to the both of mine once a year if any. I love the trust-rods he uses! I live in VA where it goes from real hot to pretty cold, but have no issues.

-ScottM
Click to expand...
I'm in CT - the weather is even wackier. :) The neck is so stiff - awesome.
I've got the bass pretty much dialed in (very minor adjustments - string height and neck relief) - the rod is so smooth - best I've ever had by far.
 
#50
Some observations about my CB bass after playing it for 10 days.
  1. Very organic sound. I previously owned a West German (mid 1990s) Warwick Streamer VI. Warwick's slogan is "The Sound of Wood" - this bass is much more "woody" and "organic".

  2. The mandolin frets make for a clearer tone (much less fret noise). I expect this bass will record very well.

  3. The string tension is very even – more so than a 34" scale bass. Very noticeable with the right hand. Especially the lower strings.

  4. The wider body is really ergonomic – when sitting it actually makes you sit up straight. Super comfortable.
 
Last edited:
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