Why basswood???

[FaithNoMan]

That looks very nice.

Thanks!

I could have spent a lot more time making it nicer, but I was in a rush to hear it! It’s kinda junky but I love it. Everytime I pick up my Ric I’m OCD about playing it and putting it back in the case, and this bass was the cure. And it’s just as bright. What’s cool is it still nails the P bass tone, just more leaner and a little meaner

 

[MovinTarget]

Thanks!

I could have spent a lot more time making it nicer, but I was in a rush to hear it! It’s kinda junky but I love it. Everytime I pick up my Ric I’m OCD about playing it and putting it back in the case, and this bass was the cure. And it’s just as bright. What’s cool is it still nails the P bass tone, just more leaner and a little meaner



View attachment 4183677

Aw man I'm a sucker for that transparent blue... I need to do that on a bass one day!

 

[Eilif]

Thanks!

I could have spent a lot more time making it nicer, but I was in a rush to hear it! It’s kinda junky but I love it. Everytime I pick up my Ric I’m OCD about playing it and putting it back in the case, and this bass was the cure. And it’s just as bright. What’s cool is it still nails the P bass tone, just more leaner and a little meaner

View attachment 4183677

Can't go wrong with a light P-bass. My 90s MIM is really light poplar. With the ultralights (otherwise it would dive) and the hidden bathtub route under the guard (a youthful indiscretion) its possibly the lightest Pbass I've held.

Though seeing yours maybe I could shave the body down a bit.

 

[FaithNoMan]

Can't go wrong with a light P-bass. My 90s MIM is really light poplar. With the ultralights (otherwise it would dive) and the hidden bathtub route under the guard (a youthful indiscretion) its possibly the lightest Pbass I've held.

Though seeing yours maybe I could shave the body down a bit.

Oh yeah! But since mine is maple, it’s still relatively heavy shaved down! But 11.5lbs is better than 13 XD

 

[FaithNoMan]

Aw man I'm a sucker for that transparent blue... I need to do that on a bass one day!

Thanks. It was some auto finish from Advance Auto. I’ll report back when I find the can

 

[FaithNoMan]

@MovinTarget I found it!

It's this stuff, with a shot of clear over it. I hit the sides darker and worked my way to the center, was supposed to be my first "burst" but I liked the transparent better. A little darker than a blueburst. Sorry for thread derail

 

[MovinTarget]

@MovinTarget Sorry for thread derail

Oh, I'm not complaining one bit!

 

[DavesnothereCA]

Something fishy there...

Are we at the end of the discussion? If so...

FIN

~
End ~= Tail-FIN ?
~

 

[zontar]

Because tonewood is nonsense and basswood isn’t a problem if you’re careful with your property.

Depends how much you like to take it apart & put it back together and how much you like to mod.

 

[MovinTarget]

Depends how much you like to take it apart & put it back together and how much you like to mod.

Fair point, each wood has it's use. Basswood probably wouldn't make a great perpetual tinkering platform... Other woods can take a lot more abuse.

 

[58kites]

I've had basses with bodies made of alder, poplar, ash, mahogany, pine, koa, maple/walnut/alder, and basswood.
Basswood were the only two basses that stood out as soft, with threads stripped out, dented and with neck dive.

 

[jd56hawk]

It's such a soft, easy to dent wood!

With Ash, maple, poplar, mahogany and other good sounding, though often heavier (but not always) woods with which to build bass bodies.

Hold for my answer, I'm waiting for the people at MusicMan to get back to me.
Surely they have a good answer since they use it on some of their most expensive basses.

 

[58kites]

Hold for my answer, I'm waiting for the people at MusicMan to get back to me.
Surely they have a good answer since they use it on some of their most expensive basses.
View attachment 4207859

They don't have to own it for thirty years after they're done making and selling it.
I would guess MusicMan being MusicMan, they chose the very best basswood money can buy, not the case with most basswood basses.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've had basses with bodies made of alder, poplar, ash, mahogany, pine, koa, maple/walnut/alder, and basswood.
Basswood were the only two basses that stood out as soft, with threads stripped out, dented and with neck dive.

The neck dive comes from:

1) The neck, headstock, turners are heavy

Or

2) The body is light.
Which oddly enough, most folks want :Ol

 

[Thundertips]

It's such a soft, easy to dent wood!

With Ash, maple, poplar, mahogany and other good sounding, though often heavier (but not always) woods with which to build bass bodies.

They use Basswood a lot on Japanese instruments and some other Asian countries cuz it grows there, so it's easy to get it.

 

[MovinTarget]

The neck dive comes from:

1) The neck, headstock, turners are heavy

Or

2) The body is light.
Which oddly enough, most folks want :Ol

Body style has a huge impact as well. Many "modern" bodies will have the bridge backed up to the edge of the bass so there is little counter balance (balast?) to the fact that the center of granter shifts toward the neck..

Additionally, a really nice, wide strap that is textured to have some grip will also help with neck dive... alot...

 

[bdplaid]

I've had basses with bodies made of alder, poplar, ash, mahogany, pine, koa, maple/walnut/alder, and basswood.
Basswood were the only two basses that stood out as soft, with threads stripped out, dented and with neck dive.

I had a walnut bass that wouldn't hold a screw. I have an alder bass that's more like balsa. Paulownia is my favorite wood for tone and weight, and it holds a screw well if one takes care.
So it all varies.

 

[58kites]

So it all varies.

I agree with that.

 

[murph7489]

this has me wondering if woods like rosewood, ebony, maple, exotic species, etc are so good for fretboards why isn't that wood used to make the entire bass ? probably stupid question and maybe too expensive but I gotta wonder...they say Richlite is superior acoustically to all the organic woods, why not that?...

 

[58kites]

this has me wondering if woods like rosewood, ebony, maple, exotic species, etc are so good for fretboards why isn't that wood used to make the entire bass ? probably stupid question and maybe too expensive but I gotta wonder...they say Richlite is superior acoustically to all the organic woods, why not that?...

Rosewood , Ebony and Maple make for a HEAVY bass body.