Hi, i'm looking for a wood to start building a bass, and on Warwick's custom shop, saw Quilted Eucalyuptus. How much would a body blank of this cost? Standardly (if that's a word) Figured, compare it to Koa. If a standardly figured Koa body blank costs $700, how much would a Quilted Eucaluptus body blank cost? Thanks
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Quilted Eucalyptus
- Thread starter EAdanikDG
- Start date
This is really one of those "how long is a piece of string" type questions. The answer is, it depends. Different wood species have different characteristics, different value based on rarity or supply and demand, so it's a bit like saying "if oranges are so much per pound how much do sausages cost".
So, can't help you on the cost of a body blank but I can tell you it is unusual to make the whole body out of exotic figured wood. You're far more likely to see a top made from 1/4" (sometimes thicker) exotic wood on a core of stable but more readily available wood like maple, mahogany or ash
So, can't help you on the cost of a body blank but I can tell you it is unusual to make the whole body out of exotic figured wood. You're far more likely to see a top made from 1/4" (sometimes thicker) exotic wood on a core of stable but more readily available wood like maple, mahogany or ash
Would it produce a bad sound to make the entire body out of exotic wood? Or is it just due to $$$?
And please don't refer me to Warwick's pricelist, it says Buck Eye Burl is $5000 and Koa is some $8000, and no, that's not a typing error.
If I remember right you are in Australia (despite your location being set to Hoaxtown 
)
Eucalyptus is an Aussie wood, so its probably going to be quite reasonably priced, to be honest Id expect its a great wood for building that is easily accessable here, quite a lot of other 'select tonewoods' are hard to come by.
)Eucalyptus is an Aussie wood, so its probably going to be quite reasonably priced, to be honest Id expect its a great wood for building that is easily accessable here, quite a lot of other 'select tonewoods' are hard to come by.
Yep, the reason i'm asking is basically to ask whether it's a good wood. According to Warwick's website, their Quilted Euclyptus (which they charge something like $7000 for on the same price sheet as the Buck Eye and Koa) originated in South Eastern Australia. Guess where I live. That'd be the ultimate bass, a solid Eucalyptus bass. Doesn't get much more patriotic and South Aussie than that! I just didn't know whether Eucalyptus is a good wood.
EAdanikDG -hi mate)If you want more accurate info about Eucalyptus and all the Aussie tonewoods, I think you have to ask guys at aussie woodwork forum, there is a dedicated section- musical instruments.From what I know, Eucalyptus solid body is very good sounding timber,but going to be very, very heavy.Why wouldn`t you make a body from blackwood or queensland maple, and then put a eucalyptus top?I`ve been patriotic lately and started build-tasmanian myrtle and blackwood for laminated neck, and blackwood body with tasmanian myrtle top and back.Even this combination still very heavy-much lighter then eucaliptus- and I`ll have to do some chambering...otherwise, this bass is going to kill me on stage in half an hour...
About the price- you should talk to Graham Skillin from Canberra..phone call is better- the guy goes to the bush for burl hunting most of the time, and (haha) huge blank of eucalyptus burl enough for a solid body will cost about 100 bucks- so I guess quilted eucalyptus should be the same price..And, there are online shops- Australian tonewoods and Tasmanian tonewoods with good timber..but more expensive.
About the price- you should talk to Graham Skillin from Canberra..phone call is better- the guy goes to the bush for burl hunting most of the time, and (haha) huge blank of eucalyptus burl enough for a solid body will cost about 100 bucks- so I guess quilted eucalyptus should be the same price..And, there are online shops- Australian tonewoods and Tasmanian tonewoods with good timber..but more expensive.
- Jun 6, 2004
- 6,353
- 544
- 66
- Disclosures
- Owner and builder Clementbass
Hm so how much would shipping to Florida be?
Swap for some Spanish Cedar or Swamp Ash?
- Mar 25, 2005
- 1,172
- 10
- Disclosures
- Builder: Mailloux Basses
As its been said before, a solid eucalypt body would be pretty damn heavy. I wouldn't use one unless I chambered the crap out of it.
Here's a couple of sites of local dealers in guitar woods, they're not exactly cheap but thats what you have to pay for locally for figured guitar timbers. Another option is to go to your local "Working With Wood" show once a year and go through all the timber dealers and look for suitable timbers. I got a pretty good deal last year on a highly flamed figured QLD Maple board that is big enough to get me 6 tops out of it.
Invalid Link Removed
http://www.guitarwoods.com.au/catalog/index.php
Here's a couple of sites of local dealers in guitar woods, they're not exactly cheap but thats what you have to pay for locally for figured guitar timbers. Another option is to go to your local "Working With Wood" show once a year and go through all the timber dealers and look for suitable timbers. I got a pretty good deal last year on a highly flamed figured QLD Maple board that is big enough to get me 6 tops out of it.
Invalid Link Removed
http://www.guitarwoods.com.au/catalog/index.php
There are something like 70 different types of Eucalyptus....Jarrah, Karri, Yellow Box and dozens more.... Each offering something different to an instument maker, if offering anything at all. Most types of Euc are very stable. Some Eucalyptus will not be suitable for building an instrument, so it all depends on what type of Euc that you have.
A bass body made entirely of Eucalyptus will be extremely heavy. I'd use it for a top only.
A bass body made entirely of Eucalyptus will be extremely heavy. I'd use it for a top only.
Good lord, a body made of solid Jarrah would have to come it at around the 10 kilogram mark, if not more.
That stuff weights a ton.
Indeed it would weigh a ton!...
. So along with a nice new leather strap, order yourself a new hernia truss!Seriously, Eucalyptus is a versatile species.....Some types are instrument/fine furniture grade and some are utility grade suitable for pallets and crates. There is a type of hybrid eucalyptus that grows extremely fast and is now being used for hardwood floors.
G'Day Arncliffe, now correct me if I am wrong but if I remember Wood from Gramham Skillin is green.
My tonewood has been air dried for 12 years or more this is why it is more expensive.
But to answer the question Eucalyptus makes an excellent tonewood one of the best.
Regards,Bob
Invalid Link Removed
My tonewood has been air dried for 12 years or more this is why it is more expensive.
But to answer the question Eucalyptus makes an excellent tonewood one of the best.
Regards,Bob
Invalid Link Removed
Thanks, anyone know the tonal characteristics of Eucalyptus? Growly? Punchy? Thumpy? etc. I know it can vary so if you can just try to generalize that'd be good.
mikeyswood
Inactive
