Maple Thunderbird? - Research

[whyachi]

I've posted a few times asking questions, and I'm finally getting the funds together to actually build something.

I'm looking at either a solid wenge neck, or a bubinga neck with a wenge fingerboard for a 4-string bass. It's going to have Duncan Blackouts pickups and the Blackouts EQ in it and I don't have a particular tone in mind, besides that I'm shooting for socal punk.

For body wood, I was thinking swamp ash originally, as that's what Warwick uses in their Corvettes. But considering the heavy neck and that I'd like a Thunderbird body, I think a light body would be a mistake. I've been looking at solid maple on the body for some more bite, but I've never run into a maple-bodied bass before (local stores don't carry Ricks) and I'm not sure if I'd get to keep my bottom end that way.

Also, is it possible to have Warmoth route the body for the standard Thunderbird bridge? I'd like to stay with the raised center section and use a Hipshot Supertone bridge (http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=264) but I don't have access to the tools to do my own routing.


This is my first build, I haven't done anything past changing my own strings before so if I made any stupid mistakes here, please point them out.

 

[rockskate4x]

Warmoth bass necks, from what I hear, are very very heavy... especially if you use exotic woods. As amazing as wenge feels, I think that it is too heavy for that shape no matter how heavy the body is. If you must have the wenge neck and the thunderbird body, I would recommend trying to fit some lead weights on the bridge side of the body, possibly in the control cavity.

 

[whyachi]

I can do that. I'm not incredibly worried about the total weight of the guitar, just the balance.

Speaking of the control cavity, where do you get the covers for those? Does Warmoth sell them?

 

[tfarny]

Warmoth ships a black plastic cover with all of their bodies. My W wenge bass neck is super heavy and even with a jazz body I've had neck heavy probs. Hipshot ultra light tuners will be your good friends on this project - get the 1/2" ones.
Why not just get mahogany or black korina for a body wood? They tend to be heavy, look great, people who that believe body wood matters a lot claim they are good with bass and mid tones, and they are classic woods.
You may also want to make sure and get a heavy bridge like a badass II.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Get a Mahogany body, light tuners on the neck and put the strap buttons like this:

Problem solved, I think

 

[OzziePete]

I can do that. I'm not incredibly worried about the total weight of the guitar, just the balance.

Glad you said this, because a maple Thunderbird body will weigh some. Q: Would a Rosewood body be heavier in weight than maple?

 

[whyachi]

I can do that. I'm not incredibly worried about the total weight of the guitar, just the balance.

Glad you said this, because a maple Thunderbird body will weigh some. Q: Would a Rosewood body be heavier in weight than maple?

I think rosewood is heavier than everything, but I don't have $700+ for the body wood. I was intending to use Ultralites from the beginning - I've played Thunderbirds before.


As far as the raised center section, I know it says mahogany only but there's one in flame maple in the showcase right now. Will warmoth build these to order, or is it just an easter egg they threw out there?

 

[Nando Vallart]

Buy it while it's still on showcase... They put there some things that they do not do on a order, like this body you said...

 

[MUYFUE]

I think maple will sound great!
Doesn't Spector make maple bodies on their high end stuff?
Those have NO low end probs to my ears  :icon_thumright:

and BTW, Thunderbirds FTW :headbang1:

 

[whyachi]

What about the routing for the Gibson bridge? Any ideas if they'll handle that?

 

[whyachi]

Is the raised center section added on, or is the rest of the body thinned down 1/4"? If it's the latter, I could get a maple body and have someone remove the 1/4" so it's 1 1/2" on the wings and the full 1 3/4" in the center.. in theory.

 

[MUYFUE]

Good question...I THINK it's a three piece body with a thicker middle piece.
Where's Gregg?

 

[whyachi]

A few more questions on top of the body one.

Is there room on a Thunderbird body to move the bridge back and make it a 35" scale? Will that work, or will it throw off the intonation?

Also, I've been looking into a Moses graphite neck to help with the balance, but I'm a little scared to move away from actual wood. Anyone tried one?

 

[Nando Vallart]

No, to make 35" scale you'd need to have the fret put in the right positions... You could buy a Gecko Neck and see if Warmoth can make a Thunderbird body to it...

 

[rockskate4x]

don't move the bridge, that intonation's gonna be lousy if you do.... I've never played a graphite neck but i know people who have and they say that they like it ok. Do you want the Gibson bridge just for the looks? If not, then I'll say that Warmoth has some pretty awesome bridge routing options for bass now including the BADASS III which is... well... it's in the name...

 

[whyachi]

The Thunderbird bridge isn't a possibility anymore, I just thought it would be cool. I found out they're alluminum and I'm looking to add something heavier to the tail end.

Thank you, I'll stick with 34" and a Badass III.

 

[whyachi]

I was thinking about putting the Duncan Blackouts soapbars in the neck and bridge positions, and a Duncan Quarter Pound single coil P pickup in the middle. Is there enough room in the control cavities to handle four pots? It looks kind of crowded.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I just received this bridge.  It fits the American Standard String-thru routing, which the Bad Ass III is designed for.  It's string thru or topload.  It is quite heavy.  It's made by Hipshot, but I could not find it on their website.  I ordered it from Guitar Parts Resource.  It was supposed to take 2 to 5 days.  After 2 weeks I called, only to get a recording, left a message, and it showed up three days later.  Go figure.  It's a great bridge and has adjustable string spacing too.

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/images/large/5A400C-FM2.jpg

 

[MUYFUE]

Yeah that bridge is great! I have the 5 string version on my gecko...I got it when I ordered by bass a few years ago, but I think it's not sold via warmoth anymore.

 

[whyachi]

Would a wenge / bloodwood neck and a solid maple body be too bright/harsh maybe? I've been thinking that a t-bird is a big chunk of maple. I'm going for growl, not a bass I need welding goggles to play. Thank yall for your continued help.