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What to match with Ebony on this custom bass

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Tslicebass, Dec 7, 2007.

  1. Dec 7, 2007 #1
    Tslicebass

    Tslicebass Supporting Member

    Jun 12, 2007
    Chicago
    I need some advice
    Here is the idea for my next custom CB bass. I need to now what you guys would think would look best mixed with the ebony.
    Purpleheart (pictured)
    Bloodwood
    or Holly
     
  2. Dec 7, 2007 #2
    A9X

    A9X Inactive

    Dec 27, 2003
    PH
     
  3. Dec 7, 2007 #3
    flipper_gv

    flipper_gv

    Nov 13, 2007
    Montreal, Quebec, Canada
    I'd say blood wood, very hard wood too, a tad more midrangey.Maybe it's gonna help the bass having a bit more even tone
     
  4. Dec 7, 2007 #4
    Flintc

    Flintc Guest

    Aug 15, 2006
    Alabama
    If not holly (a good choice), I'd go with birdseye.
     
  5. Dec 7, 2007 #5
    spade2you

    spade2you

    Jan 11, 2007
    somewhere in middle America
    What are Cliff's thoughts? He's good at pairing up woods and electronics. There are some neato wood combos out there, but you don't want it to be excessively heavy or dead sounding.
     
  6. Dec 7, 2007 #6
    Tslicebass

    Tslicebass Supporting Member

    Jun 12, 2007
    Chicago
    I have only run the fingerboard past cliff so far. The wood choices would be only cosmetic... the bass will probably have a spanish cedar core. So the wood choices would only be for the top and back. So i am really not to worried about the effect on tone/weight. I was really into the purpleheart at first but this pic had me thinking about holly and ebony... and the bloodwood scb that cliff is building now spiked my interest in bloodwood.
     
  7. Dec 7, 2007 #7
    spade2you

    spade2you

    Jan 11, 2007
    somewhere in middle America
    I'm not knockin' ebony or holly, but don'tcha think the grain is a bit plain? Depending on Cliff's recs, pao fero, stabilized bubinga, etc, would be my first choice.

    Mine is gonna have a bird's eye fingerboard, top, and headstock cap.
     
  8. Dec 7, 2007 #8
    Tslicebass

    Tslicebass Supporting Member

    Jun 12, 2007
    Chicago
    I definitely agree with you... but my fretted bass is going to have a zebrawood top and mac ebony fingerboard so i thought it would be nice for this one to be on more of the "plain" side. For contrast. Plus i like the idea of working with woods that look like they were painted but are actually natural. Sort of a boutique paint job :smug:
     
  9. Dec 7, 2007 #9
    spade2you

    spade2you

    Jan 11, 2007
    somewhere in middle America
    I get what you're saying, but hard for me to justify the extra money if you could simply paint it. I'd rather go full blast and get the color AND the grain to go along with it. Something like figured purple heart, etc.
     
  10. Dec 7, 2007 #10
    Figjam

    Figjam

    Aug 5, 2003
    Boston, MA
    I LOVE holly. Do it.
     
  11. Dec 8, 2007 #11
    Tslicebass

    Tslicebass Supporting Member

    Jun 12, 2007
    Chicago
    Ok so far that is
    1 for bloodwood
    2 for holly
    2 for purpleheart
    anybody else???
     
  12. Dec 14, 2007 #12
    fretlessspence

    fretlessspence

    Aug 5, 2005
    Iowa (Quad Cities)
    holly
     
  13. Dec 14, 2007 #13
    kevin_lindsay

    kevin_lindsay

    Apr 30, 2005
    Scotland, UK & Midtown NYC
    Why not go for something more subtle? I have used Macassar Ebony of the fingerboard and front & rear facings on my Sei Singlecut fretless 5 that is nearing completion.

    front.jpg
    back.jpg
     
  14. Dec 14, 2007 #14
    lambro

    lambro

    Jun 1, 2004
    PH is quite heavy, and you already have an ebony slab fingerboard
     
  15. Dec 14, 2007 #15
    Tslicebass

    Tslicebass Supporting Member

    Jun 12, 2007
    Chicago
    Yeah the wood will be purely cosmetic. THe bass will probably have a lightweight spanish cedar core.
    I am still undecided but have been leaning towards the purpleheart instead of holly. Bloodwood has not gotten very many votes and I dont think i like it either.
    So thats purpleheart or holly now.
    More thoughts?
    Here is the newest up to date rendering
     
  16. Dec 14, 2007 #16
    Bernie Connors

    Bernie Connors Supporting Member

    Apr 2, 2002
    Indiana, USA
    Holly!!!!!