Building a bass for the first time!

Presto · Post by **Presto** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:41 pm

Hello all, I am new to this forum and would love some advice!
I am a brass and woodwind repair tech. and my sixteen year old son and I are building a bass guitar!
we have started the process by building the body and we have cut out a neck.
I have some Jarrah that I was thinking of using for a fret board!
I am curious what peoples thoughts are on this wood!
We are doing our best to copy his Yamaha bass, as it is the only guide I have to work from!
Whilst we are new to this, I am having a blast working with him in the shed, on a Sunday afternoon!

Cheers
Presto

needsmorecowbel · Post by **needsmorecowbel** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:32 pm

I made an electric out of jarrah as my first guitar (now on my 5-6) and the tone was slightly muddy I must say. Having said this I have only used it once or twice and the guitar still played beautifully. I Would not discount it at all as a body wood as long as there is some form of chambering (as jarrah can be a heavy bastard). It really does depend what tone you are going for however.

Presto · Post by **Presto** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:43 pm

I was wondering about Jarrah for the Fretboard!
We have made the body from a pre-stressed laminated beam!
I have no idea what this may sound like?

simso · Post by **simso** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:45 pm

Jarrah is no good for a fretboard, gives a real tinny sound

Presto, whats the name of your woodwind brass business

DarwinStrings · Post by **DarwinStrings** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:45 am

Jarrah will be fine for a fret board, the stability of Jarrah varies greatly so chose it well quartersawn as it would not be good to have anything too reactive in a bass neck. Having said that you may even get away with a fancy bit depending on your neck choice as well.

Jim

Presto · Post by **Presto** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:47 pm

So I guess I will try making a fretboard out of the Jarrah and see what happens!
At the very least it will be a learning curve for me!
Presto Music by the way simso!

simso · Post by **simso** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:53 pm

DarwinStrings wrote:Jarrah will be fine for a fret board,

Ive never liked the sound from a jarrah fretboard, but each to there own

Presto Music - cool, our primary business here in perth is woodwind and brass

Presto · Post by **Presto** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:58 pm

I will give the Jarrah a go this weekend. I would also like to try some rosewood/ebony.
Any thoughts on where to get the timber from?

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 2:16 pm

Presto wrote:I would also like to try some rosewood/ebony.
Any thoughts on where to get the timber from?

Hey Presto (always wanted to say that legitimately

)

We have a list of preferred vendors at the ANZLF. These businesses have been listed because they have a history of providing good reliable service and for being prepared to stand behind their reputation.

Here's the link to our short list: viewforum.php?f=29

Locally, give Tim Spittle of Australian Tonewoods a go. If he can't help, you may want to try Steve Roberson @ Colonial Tonewoods or Bob C @ R.C. Tonewoods. Both those guys are USA based so shipping will hurt, but the exchange is currently good and so too is the wood from my experience. Mentioning your a member of this forum probably can't hurt your chances of getting wood you will be happy with either.

Cheers

Kim

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:58 am

Hey Presto, Gilet in Sydney has rosewood fingerboards for $15. Bass blanks are $39. (not sure which you are after) http://guitarwoods.com.au/catalog/index ... 8269cc606f. The santos rosewood FB are really nice as well at $22. They used to have great quality strippy ebony FBs but seem to have run out.
They are not on the preferred customer list (their choice not ours I believe) but they have great service and good prices, at least for rosewood FBs. Many people here would have got good stuff from them so don't be worried about using them if they are not on 'the list'.
Good luck
Dom

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:05 am

Dominic wrote:Hey Presto, Gilet in Sydney has rosewood fingerboards for $15. Bass blanks are $39. (not sure which you are after) http://guitarwoods.com.au/catalog/index ... 8269cc606f. The santos rosewood FB are really nice as well at $22. They used to have great quality strippy ebony FBs but seem to have run out.
They are not on the preferred customer list (their choice not ours I believe) but they have great service and good prices, at least for rosewood FBs. Many people here would have got good stuff from them so don't be worried about using them if they are not on 'the list'.
Good luck
Dom

+1 for Gilet Guitars. I've bought stuff off Gerard and co on many occasions and never had any problems. Like Dom says Gerard's prices are reasonable and service is good.

Presto · Post by **Presto** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 7:48 pm

Thanks guys, I will look into Gilet, and see how they can help!

Presto · Post by **Presto** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:59 pm

I thought I should upload some photos of our work so far!
Much fun and dust has been made!

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