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Need help on custom bass

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Leftybass12, Aug 2, 2009.

  1. Aug 2, 2009 #1
    Leftybass12

    Leftybass12

    Nov 14, 2008
    I am in the process of ordering a neck from a company called Warmoth They make everything for guitars and basses. Anyway, I plan to order a 5 string lined fretless bass with ebony wood for the fingerboard and possibly wenge. The body will be made out of indian rosewood. Is this a good combination of woods? I realize that the electronics and strings I use will be a factor in the tone I will get, but are these good woods to use?
     
  2. Aug 2, 2009 #2
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    That bass will weigh a freaking ton, I hope you're OK with that. Seriously, 12 or 13 lbs would be a realistic guess.

    Aside from that, it could end up sounding really good, but it's such an uncommon combo, with so many variables e.g. the density of the rosewood, that it would be nearly impossible to say in advance what it would sound like.
     
  3. Aug 2, 2009 #3
    Leftybass12

    Leftybass12

    Nov 14, 2008
    Okay, thank you. I completely forgot about the weight! I will keep that in mind definitely. I am young, but have problems in my right shoulder (I play left handed in case my username didn't give that away) and I don't want to cause too much problems for my shoulder anymore.
     
  4. Aug 2, 2009 #4
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    Warmoth should be able to make you a bass body out of chambered swamp ash. That would be very lightweight, and I've heard a few basses with that construction that sound really nice.
     
  5. Aug 2, 2009 #5
    wallshakerpbass

    wallshakerpbass

    Jun 18, 2009
    Yea, Warwick [der pride auf Deutschland :)]makes some NICE sounding basses with swamp ash, and i've heard very good things about Warmoth. Also, mahogany is always a great wood. Many of the best manufacturers[i.e. Gibson, or to take a step up, Alembic] use mahogany. It all depends just how solid of a tone you want. Also, the Warmoth site is very user friendly, so you should check out their wood comparison page. It says what woods suit what tones and such.
     
  6. Aug 5, 2009 #6
    Leftybass12

    Leftybass12

    Nov 14, 2008
    Yeah, for the past few days I've been on warmoths website constantly comparing woods, prices, ect. I also know an extremely good bassist in the area I live and he has had a few customs made for him that have swamp ash. Thank you again for all the input!!
     
  7. Aug 5, 2009 #7
    Jimmy Bones

    Jimmy Bones

    Feb 24, 2009
    Baxley, GA
    I have to stay away from Warmoth. Their gear is sex personified, and I'm a horny bastard.

    Actually they're just way too expensive for me, even though they have some of the sexiest bodies I have ever seen.
     
  8. Aug 5, 2009 #8
    WarriorJoe7

    WarriorJoe7 Inactive

    Mar 12, 2004
    Syracuse, NY
    For a fretless I would go with ebony board on plain maple for the neck. Then an alder body with whatever kind of top you like. That's just me.

    Warmoth has descriptions and a brightness meter for different types of woods.
     
  9. Sep 5, 2009 #9
    Leftybass12

    Leftybass12

    Nov 14, 2008
    I don't know if any of you have looked back on this thread at all, but last Thursday I ordered a 5 string lined fretless custom from Carvin. I feel that it is a much better choice, my friend who has a carvin custom let me play on his for a little bit and I fell in love with it. The neck is maple, alder body, and ebony fingerboard.
     
  10. Sep 5, 2009 #10
    eastcoasteddie

    eastcoasteddie

    Mar 24, 2006
    Brooklyn, transplanted to NoVA
    which model?
    I'm looking to get a B5 kit one of these days.
     
  11. Sep 5, 2009 #11
    Getaway Driver

    Getaway Driver

    May 31, 2009
    Omaha, NE
    the kits are fantastic. The necks are quick and slick, lovely to play.
     
  12. Sep 6, 2009 #12
    Leftybass12

    Leftybass12

    Nov 14, 2008
    Sorry, I forgot to say that, I did or the b5 model, but it has all my custom features
     
  13. Sep 6, 2009 #13
    Rumblefisher

    Rumblefisher Supporting Member

    Aug 22, 2007
    Astoria, NY
    Wenge neck + Ebony fingerboard = made for each other :)

    If you are weight conscious, keep this in mind: Sadowsky makes their bodies out of chambered ash. They are very light. Ash on its own (swamp ash that is) is light in and of itself! I am a big fan of ash body with wenge/ebony neck. Not as much as korina, but still a great combination. If you are willing to add a little weight though, korina body all the way.
     
  14. Nov 13, 2009 #14
    Leftybass12

    Leftybass12

    Nov 14, 2008
    Well to all who are still looking at this post here is what I ordered. It is a Carvin B5 lined fretless bass, ash body, maple neck, and ebony fingerboard. I chose a ruby red finish with a matching headstock and gold hardware. Also I had a hardshell case come with it. If I find out a way to upload pictures (assuming we can) I will upload one.
     
  15. Nov 13, 2009 #15
    Leftybass12

    Leftybass12

    Nov 14, 2008
    And the neck is a bolt on. This bass sounds like a freakin' monster and I'm pretty sure that it can fit into most music genres. I play at a local blues/classic rock place and it fits perfectly. Also I can get an awesome progressive rock tone from this bass. There is a active or passive switch for the pickups, a single coil or parallel coil switch too. One more thing, I have HB Alnico-5 Humbucker pickups, both neck and bridge. Serioulsy this bass is my pride and joy right now. Also....it was not that expenssive.