Which body-wood to complement an all-ebony Jazz Bass neck?

[Rens]

Hi everybody,

A few years ago i purchased an all ebony fretless JB-neck because I just had to have it. :headbang1:
Now the time has come to really start the build and I'm looking for advice on body-wood/body-configuration.

I't going to be a Jazz bass body with probably a PJ configuration (70's reposition bridge pu)
All matte black hardware (badass/hipshot ultralites). Because the ebony neck naturally has a satin look,  I'm thinking about  a clear satin finish on the body (I like laquer better than oils, becaus it stays cleaner on the road and is more durable).

Does anybody have experience with an all ebony neck on a bass? I fear neck-dive issues and that's why I'm thinkin about heavier, warm woods like mahogany or black korina. But would something like swamp-ash be interesting tonally? And a chambered body?

What do you guys (and girls)  think of this build? All sorts of advice, warnings and/or comments are welcome!

I'll try to attach a pic of the neck (I was stupid enough to order it with a white nut, I'm going to see if I can replace it with a black one)

Grtz,
Rens

 

[Cagey]

You're probably right to worry about neck dive issues. The center of gravity is farther forward on basses regardless of wood species just because of physical realities. Then, Ebony? A lovely wood, but heavier than sin.

I understand buying one on a whim, though. I've been lusting after one for a long time.

In any event, the body wood isn't going to make a great deal of difference in the character of the thing. It's not that it has no effect, just that it's a lot less than is generally assumed. The neck, pickups and bridge are going to be the major factors in the sound. I'd be more worried about (physical) balance than anything else. So, I'd be looking at some of the denser woods for a body.

Hope you've got a strong back. That thing is gonna be an albatross. I'll wager it'll sound great, though!

 

[bagman67]

I'm with Cagey on the tonal aspect of things.  Get what you think will look good, because the neck itself and your electronics will be responsible for much more of the tone than the body will be.


THere's been a rash of korina bass bodies coming through my RSS feed lately, and I think one of those with a satin finish would look awesome.


Here's a contender:

Alternatively, I might go with a nice heavy body with a regular flame maple top or a koa top in clear satin.  There are some real beauty pieces at http://www.warmoth.com/Bass/Bodies/JBass/JBass/#bc-UniqueChoice


Remember, EVERYTHING goes well with black.

 

[slashin_velvet]

Just conceptually here, bass bodies are bigger too, so heavier woods really do take a toll on your back.

Ive got a jazz bass thats Black Korina/Zebrawood body, with a Goncalo/Wenge neck......and shes pretty tough to do long gigs with.

It doesnt make sense to go for the heavier/denser wood to avoid neck dive if you're going to chamber it anyway.....you could save some cash and just get a lighter body wood.

I'd choose the wood based on looks, and try to cure the neck dive aspect using different strap button positions.

 

[Rens]

Hey Guys,

Thanks!

The guy from warmoth advised me to go with walnut, since it's very dense structure will be great for a fretless bass. Lot of resonance. First i thought it might be too bright-sounding, but your comments on pu's and sound characteristics being much more of influence than bodywood have put this in another perspective.
Maybe walnut with a quilted maple top, so the maple contrasts nice with the black neck and black hardware.

He also advised me to go with oil instead of a satin lacquer, since satin lacquer tends to gloss up when it get's rubbed from playing.

I've weight my current JB and it's 11 lbs. I have no back-problems whatsoever with this bass. The ebony neck weighs 2 lbs 14 oz, so I think a heavy body won't give me any problems!

Any thoughts and/or opninions are still welcome!

Grtz,
Rens

 

[Kostas]

I believe wood affects tone. For a fretless bass I would use Spruce as a top and Korina would be my first choice for core wood. I would consider Alder and Wenge if Korina was not available but everything I played with Korina sounded great so I have a preference.

Chambered is something I would consider too and don't overdone it with weight. You may be OK now but what happens in the future? Weight affects tone too, I always stay in the middle, not anemic not heavy. For the record, I have a Jazz bass that I think it has an average weight and it's neck heavy when I play sited. With a strap it's fine though, never moves unless I want to. And it sounds amazing, Jazz basses rule. Aesthetically and tonally  :icon_thumright:

 

[Fat Pete]

The ebony neck weighs 2 lbs 14 oz, so I think a heavy body won't give me any problems!

Anybody know what the typical weight of a maple/maple or maple/rw bass neck is? I imagine that a fair amount of the weight is in the trussrod, reinforcement rods (and a little in bit in the frets). Ebony is 'only' 30 - 40% heavier than maple.

Massively jealous by the way, an all ebony neck is just about the coolest thing on the planet.

 

[stubhead]

If you're set on a Jazz body so be it, but I think the length of the upper horn would have more to do with balance than just about anything. Warmoth makes a "G4" body which is their take on the long-horn styles, or the "Z" if you feel wild. And, fortunately, there's a large amount of difference in weight between the lightest and heaviest bass tuners, much more so than with guitar tuners. (I am currently in love with walnut too.)

http://www.warmoth.com/Bass/BassBodyOptions.aspx

 

[bagman67]

How 'bout it?

 

[Rens]

That's a nice lookin' 'P'.

However....yesterday I ordered a custom 'J'. I decided to go 'purist' with chambered walnut and a figured walnut unique choice laminate top. I'm fitting it with Nordstrand DC's and a Mike Pope Flexcore. All black hardware, hipshot ultralite's, Badass 2. Everything is ordered, so now I have to wait 2-3 months unntil it all arrives in the Netherlands.
I've designed the bass to match my 'naked' Fender JB '78 (maple neck, swamp ash body, clear gloss, no pickguard, all chrome hardware) and to be it's dark counterpart.

I couldn't help myself and had to make a visual in Photoshop...so check the image below. My soon to be fretless all ebony neck, chambered walnut body...I'm so excited....I just can't hide it!  :hello2:

 

[Rens]

Oh yeah, I'll continue this thread in 'A work in progress' so if you want to stay updated on this build....I'll be glad to see you there. Thanks for all the advice everyone!