Double Bass Poplar vs Maple

[GregL]

I am looking into my first acoustic upright. I like the Upton bases with the solid back, and would appreciate input on poplar vs maple for the back. Need info on sound quality and resistance to cracking.
Thanks all.

 

[drurb]

I am looking into my first acoustic upright. I like the Upton bases with the solid back, and would appreciate input on poplar vs maple for the back. Need info on sound quality and resistance to cracking.
Thanks all.

What did the makers have to say?

 

[wayne holmes]

A very good question- I hope to sit by and maybe learn something here-thanks

 

[LouisF]

This might help:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=535436&highlight=poplar

Louis

 

[DrBassie]

I am looking into my first acoustic upright. I like the Upton bases with the solid back, and would appreciate input on poplar vs maple for the back. Need info on sound quality and resistance to cracking.
Thanks all.

I have an Upton poplar flatback. I tried both when I was at their shop. Poplar has a warmer sound than the maple. I liked the poplar because it has the immediacy of sound of a flatback but a little more depth that you'd find in a carved back.

I can't speak for cracking issues.

 

[Steve Swan]

It's been my experience that poplar is warmer sounding and physically less brittle than maple.

 

[drurb]

Well, GregL, seems you've gotten some informative and authoritative responses. Poplar sounds so good, I guess I'll just have to order another bass.........not!

FWIW, the Upton poplar-back Professor sounded quite sweet to me.

 

[GregL]

Thanks all for your input.

I also like the Upton Professor. I'm considering a solid poplar back Professor in Gary Karr dimensions.

More to follow as I continue my education. Love the site.

 

[LouisF]

On this project (which is admittedly taking for ever - I was away running a school for a while; Nick had commissions for violins etc), we have decided to use a poplar back - Nick thinks it will give the bass a sweeter, lusher sound; and we'll probably string with Twine guts.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286587&highlight=nick+roubas

Louis

 

[longfinger]

Thanks all for your input.

I also like the Upton Professor. I'm considering a solid poplar back Professor in Gary Karr dimensions.

More to follow as I continue my education. Love the site.

No UB Bostonian Concert for you?
Ah, the economy of flatbacks.

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

By "Poplar", are we talking about tulipwood or true poplar? They are quite different.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

My Golia is made with poplar from the Po river in Italy. Same type as used by the master Italian makers. The sound is much warmer and darker than maple. I wonder, as does Arnold what "poplar" people are using. Tulipwood (which goes as poplar here and is the "poplar" sold at home depot) is not related to the Lombardy Poplar. The only North American wood that I know is called "black poplar". I know that Shen uses willow, but when makers say "poplar" it's pretty meaningless unless described in more detail.

 

[LouisF]

To confuse the issue further Nick told me "Italian" poplar - I think his actually imported, but... I'll check

Louis

PS: I just thought I'd add what the poplar slab looked like before it gets carved (round back)