|
Bass 2
---------- o ----------
Wood Choice
---------- o ----------
I started with the
neck this time. I wanted to use a dark wood sandwich and after reading
several Bassist mags I fancied a Walnut neck with a single thin
1/4 in maple stripe.
The fingerboard will
be Black Ebony
The body was a bit
more difficult. Originally I was going to build a 4 string fretless
as my next bass but needs soon changed my mind. As much as I want
a fretless (I recently handed a Custom Washburn 5 str Fretless back
to friend after a long term lend and I miss it already) I really
need a bass optimised for Church - One that doesn't give me such
neck strain, is compact and versatile.
Becuase this Bass
is to be hollowed out under the top cap, the body wood's choice
is expanded, because I can use heavy woods with the safe knowledge
that the hollow chambers will loose half of the weight. After talking
to Melvyn Hiscock, he advised (he is a source of excellent ideas)
some heavy Ash. Ash has such a lovely figuring that takes a transparent
laquer very well.
But the Ash on it's
own wasn't realy lighting my fire and I needed a top cap to hide
the hollow chambered routs. I decided to use it but use a dark 3/8"
top. I wanted Cocobolo but my favorite woodyard had run out
and wasn't expecting a re-supply any time soon (something about
an African Civil War). Instead Duncan offered me some Dark Rosewood
which I jumped at the chance. The idea was to give the bass a dark
mass with a few thin maple stripes for highlights. On recipt of
the Rosewood I was surprised to see a green/brown colour, where
I was hoping for a Red/Black colour. I had a few reservations but
I still went ahead and used it and now I love it and am glad I didn't
get the Cocobolo - this is a far more unusual choice.
The Full latin name
for this Rosewood is Dalbergia.latifolia, but some times is known
as East Indian rosewood. But a far more common name is Sonokeling
Rosewood.
I also bought some
black venir from Crispins in London. this will give a nice coachline
effect on the sides of the Ash.
|
