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Which Better Bubinga or Wenge on Cirrus?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by rickreyn, Sep 30, 2001.

  1. Sep 30, 2001 #1
    rickreyn

    rickreyn

    Jun 16, 2000
    Lutz, Florida
    I need to know what the sonic nuances will be with the above two woods. I am in the process of acquiring one or the other. I have read the Peavey stuff. Need to know from some players.
     
  2. Sep 30, 2001 #2
    Brad Johnson

    Brad Johnson Inactive

    Mar 8, 2000
    Gaithersburg, Md
    DR Strings
    They're pretty similar. Tight, articulate sound, not as full sounding (thicker lower mids) as the lighter wood Cirruses. If I were going to choose between the two it would probably be based more on cosmetics because of the minimal at best sonic differences.

    Good luck.
     
  3. Sep 30, 2001 #3
    embellisher

    embellisher Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Supporting Member

    Apr 18, 2000
    Heber Springs, Arkansas
    As Brad said, they are tonally pretty similar.

    I love the look of wenge, if it were me, that's the one I would get. You might think it looks too plain though.
     
  4. Sep 30, 2001 #4
    rickbass

    rickbass Guest

    Nov 9, 2000
    The land of chicken fried funk
    There's no echo in here, I just agree with Brad and Jeff - they're almost tonally interchangeable. For instance, their specific gravity ratings, (related to density), are identical.

    If I wanted more of a hard-edged, rock sound that cuts, I'd go with wenge. If I wanted a bit more warmth for jazz, blues, R&B, I'd go with bubinga which is more similar to a rosewood in tone. The differences aren't striking.

    Although both lumbers' pricing is similar, Bubinga doesn't get the props it deserves, in many experts opinions, because people tend to associate low price with poor tonal qualities. But "bubinga is pme pf the best values in tone wood," according to Luthiers Mercantile. It's not as easy to work for a craftsperson, so that's one reason it doesn't command a higher price.

    Comparing the cosmetics, I'd go with bubinga, especially if Peavey rotary cuts its which gives it a bees wing figure. Wenge typically looks very blase to me. Its supply is quickly drying up due to conflicts where it grows, making the logging roads too risky to travel. Warwick no longer offers wenge. So, if you want snob appeal, the wenge is better suited.