Build #2: Opinions Desired(Long Read).

[JimBeed]

Well I have been playing my first build alot lately, and getting the warmoth bug stronger than ever, Along with GAS and a desire for a different sound with more punch than my first build.

So far specs i have written up:

Body:
Z Body
Swamp Ash with a Quilt Maple Top
Schaller 463 Bridge
Contoured Heel

Neck:
Warmoth Headstock
Graphite Rods
21 Frets with SS6150 Frets
GB7 Tuners
Black Corian Nut
Black Binding and Black Blocks(Neck Wood Dependant)

Now Here is where i would like opinions.

Pickups: Well this really is down to what i find out i want, Right now im split between Active Soapbars (1 or 2) Or a MM pup in the sweetspot, Active or Passive. Really when i can drive im going on a bass test road trip to find what gets me the sound im thinking of and use them.

Neck Wood:
Basically looking at most MM or Soapbar Basses they have Maple of course, So i guess i am after the Bright of the Maple, But the Exotic of the Pron Warmoth tempts me with every second :sad:

I am thinking: Padouk With Either Bloodwood or Padouk Fingerboard.
I might entertain ideas about going back to Maple, But i think i love the natural feel after my wenge neck too much to go back.

Nut Width:
This is a rather small matter, Basically i know that most musicmans have pickups designed for the Wider Precision nut width, But i do like the spacing on my five string of the E-G strings which i believe is closer to the Jazz nut width. So I guess Practicality for me against asthetics of misaligned pole pieces?

Finish:
This is where i am completely undecided, Mostly due to not knowing what neck wood i want to go for.
As it has a maple top guesses are right at a dye or burst finish.
Currently entertaining Either a Black,Red or Purple Dye in my mind. 
Possibly a DragonBurst or Purple to Clear.

Sorry for such a long post, anyone that reads what i would like opinions on are very appreciated. I know in the end it is my bass so do what im happy about, but currently i would be happy with any of the ideas i have, but i cant decide which..

Cheers guys, Love this forum as always.

 

[AprioriMark]

Man, you have some good ideas.  I'd suggest a single pickup, either a TubbyTwins placed soapbar or a MM.  Most importantly, GET A BLOODWOOD NECK.  You will not regret it.  It's hard as steel, smooth and bright sounding while maintaining warmth.  My personal preference is an ebony board, but really, anything complimentary will be nice.

-Mark

 

[JimBeed]

Cheers man, Great to see a reply. I find it difficult to express myself in short terms so my posts are bloody massive. Guys like you make me love UW haha.

Well my first build and any subsequent builds are my basses for life, So the planning is soul searching in my mind haha.

Yeah i love the bloodwood fingerboard i have on my five string, Thing is the online builder doesn't give Bloodwood as a shaft option on any of the angled headstock necks... Is it not ok for making a angled neck with? Ideally i would want a Warmoth 2+2 Headstock  :sad:

Yeah i was looking at ebony aswell for fingerboard,

Just starting off down the long planning road of Bass #2, Already i can't wait to get my hands on it  :evil4:

 

[AprioriMark]

Unfortunately, Bloodwood doesn't do angled headstock joints.  It's so damned hard that it won't take a glue joint.  My Bloodwood Jazz neck actually had the Ebony board pop off, and I drove it right to W's front door.  They fixed it right away, and won a customer for life.  I can't express how awesome Bloodwood is as a neck.  It's smooth as glass after a dozen years in my hands.

Padouk is nice, but porous.  Canary is just behind Bloodwood in my book, and Purpleheart just behind that.  Purpleheart is tonally similar to Bloodwood in my book, it's just not as interesting looking as that or Canary.  Pau Ferro is another good choice.  Nice and hard, and non-porous.

Jet Black ebony with no face dots is my all-time favorite board.  I can snap pics of any of these neckwoods for you if you're interested.

-Mark

 

[JimBeed]

Ah right cool yeah would be much appreciated.
Well i know a guy that does woodworking along with guitar repair and such, Maybe i should create this bass a new headstock design thats not angled so i can get a all bloodwood neck? Just something that isn't the fender design and fits with the Z bass...... i think i might like the challenge.
On another note, i do wish warmoth would do the sharkfin inlays for a bass.... Kind of would love them with or without binding haha.

 

[JimBeed]

Well an Update for whoever is interested.

Neck will be Bloodwood and Either Ebony or Bloodwood Fretboard,

This in mind i am now more strongly considering either Black Dye, Possibly stretching to a Dragonburst if i really wanted to go vivid on the colour scheme.

I feel the purple dye after seeing more examples might be too much of a contrast even for me.
And the red dye well I do like a bit more different between neck and body i must admit, But the red dye might still be enough difference.

Just keeping my ideas in this thread so i dont loose track ofmyself either, because of what feels like a mountain of programming work to do in the better part of a month left of my hnd university life, and then onto a degree after summer. Life's tough but fun right now.

 

[Tipperman]

Purple Dye is the way to go with quilt/flame. In my opinion it's the best dye to put on a top, and certainly stands out as nobody does a purple dye (Except people like Suhr, but how many Suhr's do you see when you see a local band?)

The bridge looks cool, I definitely like that aspect. I would advise an ebony board, or a wenge board. Good choice of frets, there.

 

[stubhead]

Re pickups, I can't get these off my mind:
http://www.hammoneng.com/

I mean, I have the P-bass covered, and pickups, sheesh - DiMarzio, Duncans, FENDERS, they all do what they're supposed to. I also like the passive EMG-HZs, a great, simple pickup with good highs, mids & lows - bass is so much about yer amp, anyway. When was the last time you actually even heard a BAD bass amp that wasn't simply under-powered for the size gig? :icon_scratch: But, Dark Stars.... mmmmmmmm....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmiOBYJy2vk

Here's the whole movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UHpx72ifdE

 

[Mor Paul]

I seem to remember hearing a lot of people having bad luck with that company. Not bad quality product, just a hard time getting in touch.

 

[JimBeed]

Well  a long overdue update on this build

Updated specs with decisions

Body:
Z Body
Swamp Ash with a Quilt Maple Top
Schaller 463 Bridge
Contoured Heel
Purple Dye

Neck:
Custom Headstock
BloodWood Shaft and Ebony Fingerboard
Graphite Rods
21 Frets with SS6150 Frets
GB7 Tuners
Black Corian Nut


Right still undecided:
Pickups: Either going for a Single Soapbar or MM like AprioriMark suggested. StubHead your suggestion of the DarkStars has been taken on board, always liked the idea of them. However i feel they will fit more in what my build #3 might be in a few years if i ever build it.

Nut Width: Still undecided need to play good examples of each, Which i kind of have in my precision and my jazz build, So need to try them out properly when i'm back home.

Inlays: Now going with ebony gives me a new question, what inlays to go for, I'm thinking light blocks and binding might be a bit too much on a bass with three colours already, so im thinking either abalone dots on there own, or not even that and just go sidedots for a classy no inlay look.

Thanks to anyone that gives me suggestions on the new ideas and questions this time. Your suggestions before are why i love this forum,

The colour scheme on this seems a more fancy version of my Wenge/Bloodwood/ Trans Purple first build. but it's what i like  :evil4:

 

[JCizzle]

Well  a long overdue update on this build

Updated specs with decisions

Body:
Z Body
Swamp Ash with a Quilt Maple Top
Schaller 463 Bridge
Contoured Heel
Purple Dye

Neck:
Custom Headstock
BloodWood Shaft and Ebony Fingerboard
Graphite Rods
21 Frets with SS6150 Frets
GB7 Tuners
Black Corian Nut


Right still undecided:
Pickups: Either going for a Single Soapbar or MM like AprioriMark suggested. StubHead your suggestion of the DarkStars has been taken on board, always liked the idea of them. However i feel they will fit more in what my build #3 might be in a few years if i ever build it.

Nut Width: Still undecided need to play good examples of each, Which i kind of have in my precision and my jazz build, So need to try them out properly when i'm back home.

Inlays: Now going with ebony gives me a new question, what inlays to go for, I'm thinking light blocks and binding might be a bit too much on a bass with three colours already, so im thinking either abalone dots on there own, or not even that and just go sidedots for a classy no inlay look.

Thanks to anyone that gives me suggestions on the new ideas and questions this time. Your suggestions before are why i love this forum,

The colour scheme on this seems a more fancy version of my Wenge/Bloodwood/ Trans Purple first build. but it's what i like  :evil4:

No inlay dots always looks sharp on a bass, IMO!

 

[JimBeed]

Exactly what is crossing my mind after seeing a few fine examples on guitars on here.
Plus it'll force me to at maximum use the side dots as position markers, So maybe improve my playing standing and sitting not trying to look at face dots, More while sitting.
Yes im rambling but you get the point , i hope  :icon_scratch:

 

[JCizzle]

Exactly what is crossing my mind after seeing a few fine examples on guitars on here.
Plus it'll force me to at maximum use the side dots as position markers, So maybe improve my playing standing and sitting not trying to look at face dots, More while sitting.
Yes im rambling but you get the point , i hope  :icon_scratch:

Yep, I understand what you're getting at. I try to practice standing up sometimes, too, just to learn not to have to look.