| Author | Message | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 136 Registered: 4-2004 |
since there is no descirption of purpleheart bodies on the site, i am wondering if putpleheart bodies are for comsmetics or do they offer any fundamental sound changes. does a coco bolo front and back wiuth purpleheart body sound appealing from either perspective? | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 466 Registered: 9-2003 |
It depends on the instrument. Body woods affect the sound more on set-neck's versus neck-thru's. Actually, Further guitars come standard with a (semi-hollow) purple heart body. Rami and Barry are both devotees of the PH body, Cocobolo top/back "hippie" sando. Perhaps they can elaborate on it's sound (as well as weight) contributions. My attitude is that I don't think you can go wrong sound-wise with ANY "hippie" sando combo you can pick (weight is a different matter). If you like the way it looks, knock yourself out, LOL! Personally, purpleheart is so unusual and cool-looking, I'm digging it for aesthetic reasons alone. | ||
| rami
Advanced Member Username: rami Post Number: 378 Registered: 6-2002 |
The best description I ever read for the use of Purpleheart is "....heavy construction and shipbuilding....". It's one seriously hard and heavy wood. It also looks so un-natural by it's color, I just knew that it was the wood for me. My previous custom "Dark Prince" and my current project "Black Byrd" both feature Purpleheart for the body core and neck laminates (along with Ebony). Personally, I love the sound and endless sustain. The "Dark Prince" lives up to it's Purpleheart and Ebony heritage - sounds as heavy and hard as it's construction. Rami   | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 138 Registered: 4-2004 |
so it is heavier than mahoghany? thanks rami- wopuld love to see a side shot of the body wood | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 468 Registered: 9-2003 |
Rami: Well said! | ||
| trekster
New Username: trekster Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2004 |
Shipbuilding is right -- in fact, I was watching a documentary on the rebuilding of "The Pride of Baltimore" and they said they were using P-Heart for the keel of the boat. As an hobby builder of basses, I do know one thing about purpleheart -- the wood has so much silica in it that it dulls bladed tools very quickly. | ||
| rami
Advanced Member Username: rami Post Number: 379 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Jeff, Here's an upview shot of "Dark Prince",  I particularly love the way then neck and body blend together. You just see the ebony laminates surrounded by Purpleheart. | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 139 Registered: 4-2004 |
ooweee that looks sweet- is purple much heavier than mahog | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 156 Registered: 7-2003 |
Purpleheart Avg. Weight (@ 6-8% moisture) : 4.6 Lbs. per Bd. Ft. Mahogany Avg. Weight (@ 6-8% moisture) : 3.1 Lbs per Bd. Ft. Doing the math, purpleheart is very close to 50% heavier than mahogany. I found it surprising that cocobolo is listed as heavier than Macassar ebony, which are listed as 5.6 and 5.5, respectively. Note: Figures gotten from Ken Smith Basses site. | ||
| dannobasso
Intermediate Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 130 Registered: 3-2004 |
my first custom Spoiler 6 (see showcase sect.) came with a purpleheart body, quilt top and deluxe laminates. It sounds great. All my others have mahog bodies and cores. Danno | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 140 Registered: 4-2004 |
thanks danno- am guessing we are talking about a lb heavier overall how wide is a board foot anyway? am toying with changing my order to a purple-maple lam- purple body core sandwich anyone know how much they charge??? (Message edited by flaxattack on September 06, 2004) (Message edited by flaxattack on September 06, 2004) | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 141 Registered: 4-2004 |
and do you notice a difference danno between the puple bass and the mahog cores | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 822 Registered: 5-2002 |
The quote generator indicates that a Purpleheart body is a $300 upgrade. | ||
| dannobasso
Intermediate Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 131 Registered: 3-2004 |
The neck on the Dragon Spoiler is quite narrow. At home I play with me fingers on stage I always use a pick. Since most of my basses have purpleheart, I was thinking about the ebony lams on the next one. People seem to be raving about them. More costly but seems worth it if you save up a few more weeks. The purp has a crisper tone mixed with the maple top. There is only 1 laminite on the body. No "sandwich". My others are darker woods over mahog. (see Danno's chillen). My favorite combo is the wide flame koa, maple accent, mahog wide 6 Spoiler. Each one is a bit different. All of the basses are a bit hefty. No pain, no gain! Danno | ||
| flaxattack
Intermediate Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 143 Registered: 4-2004 |
thanks danno- all for nothing perhaps- steve from superbass says that my neck and core are already done and in clamps- but fyi- i went with one ebony lam in my neck for $600 more. according to vaL and mica it will greatly increase the fundamental sustain and noy overly increase the wieght of the neck- see my flaxattack order in dreamin |
