purpleheart for fretless f/board

[miziomix]

Hi TBers,

I'm planning my next build and I'd like to ask those familiar with Purpleheart if they find it suitable for fretless f/board.

Thank you very much

 

[devo_stevo]

I haven't used it as a fingerboard but I imagine that it would work just fine. The stuff is tough as nails. It looks great too.

 

[FBB Custom]

Yes, purpleheart is very tough. I have used it for a fretless fingerboard and would do so again if it was requested.

 

[Musiclogic]

Purpleheart is a great FB wood, it's hard, and dense, looks great under finish too. I have used it for both fretted guitar and fretless bass, the EUB - am starting soon. May have a figured PH FB

 

[Skitch it!]

I remember Mick Karn in an interview preferring his Heartwood Wal to the other main Wal he used, I can't remember if it was used for the board though.

 

[type C basses]

No intentions of hijacking your thread, but would yellowheart work too?

 

[Musiclogic]

Yellowheart and Red Heart(chakte Cok) are both useable for FB'. But can get grainey with age, so a sealer might be prudent.

 

[miziomix]

Thank you all! that's good news some time ago I bought some PH for necks, fingerboards and tops. But I wasn't too sure about using it for fretless. It sure looks great!

Musiclogic, what kind of finish would you recommend for PH fretless board? As far as I know it tends to get darker over time and there's not much one can do to avoid it. Or is there? What's your experience on that side?

 

[TomA1234]

Quite a few wishbasses have PH fingerboards.

 

[FBB Custom]

I think there may be some possible ambiguity in the common names "Yellowheart" and "Redheart". Everything I have seen with the common name "yellowheart" (probably Zanthoxylum) has been hard enough that I would use it for a fingerboard... if the right occasion came around.

The Chakte Kok I have seen (probably Sickingia) is similar in Janka to walnut, and I personally would not use for a fingerboard. But it seems possible that "Redheart" may refer to other species which may be more suitable. In any case, I would say good judgment when holding the actually wood in one's hand is important in a case such as redheart. If it seems on the soft side, then don't use it.

 

[allexcosta]

Yellowheart is similar to maple and pau-marfim and I know a few guys that use them on necks and fretboards...

I'm talking about "Pau Amarelo" (Euxylophora paraensis), a South American wood...

 

[low2groove]

Purpleheart is great!

Don't get any of the sap wood (Lighter streaks) sections and it'll be as hard as Gaboon Ebony (the really black stuff)

We all know Ebony is great for fretless fingerboards because it's hard and dense. You'll get an amazing MWAH out of it.

My next fretless build will have exactly that.

Swamp Ash body straight through. The lighter the wood the better for resonance alone not to mention your back and probably a white stain.

The neck will be Bubinga or Teak for density with the purpleheart board.

Have fun!

 

[Musiclogic]

I won't argue with FBB, as I would never tell another person what to use, but I have used Chakte Cok for FB's. One fretless and one fretted, It definately would require a finish, and I would use epoxy or polyester, but FBB is right that it is similar (janka) to Walnut.

 

[MusicBear]

I wired up a fretless bass that a customer built himself out of purpleheart - purpleheart body & neck with an ebony fingerboard. Fabulous tone, amazing sustain and heavy as h*ll...!

:scowl: