Density / Weight of Standard Woods fo... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Dreaming... for now » Density / Weight of Standard Woods for tops? « Previous Next »

Author Message
tomhug
Intermediate Member
Username: tomhug

Post Number: 124
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 10:17 am:   Edit Post

Generally speaking, which of the Standard Woods would contribute the least to the overall weight of a bass build?

California Walnut
Bubinga
Vermillion
Purple Heart
Flame Maple
Birds-eye Maple
Lacewood
Zebra wood

I'm specifically interested in the effect a top veneer would have on a 5-string Essence.

I also realize that the neck sandwich and the body wood will have a vastly more significant impact on final build weight.
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 904
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 6:16 pm:   Edit Post

Lacewood is the lightest and Purple Heart and Vermillion are heavier. Maple is variable: eastern hard maple is heavy; western big-leaf maple not so much. I had Bubinga bass and it was medium weight.

No experience with Zebrawood. Of course, my experiences may not be typical.

VMG
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1761
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Sunday, August 10, 2014 - 9:23 pm:   Edit Post

Guy I worked for had an Ed Reynolds bass with maple neck through solid bubinga body; it was a feather-weight, as I recall. (Very Alembic-like, actually, oval inlays & everything; does anybody know if Ed ever worked at the Mothership?)

Peter
5a_quilt_top
Advanced Member
Username: 5a_quilt_top

Post Number: 342
Registered: 6-2012
Posted on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 11:26 am:   Edit Post

Speaking from experience - avoid vermillion and purple heart - !

They have very rich colors, but are very dense / heavy.

You are correct - the neck recipe and the body core wood have a greater impact and the top veneer probably contributes least to overall weight.

Overall size / thickness of the body will also be a factor. An Essence has a smaller body than many of the other models, so you're looking in the right place there.

Sometimes a little more weight can be offset by overall balance.

For me, I'd rather have a heavier instrument that balances well than a lighter one with neck dive, etc.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8226
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 4:31 pm:   Edit Post

Here's the average density of the standard woods:

California Walnut
Specific gravity = .60-.70

Bubinga
Specific gravity = .65-.80

Vermilion
Specific gravity = .65-.75

Purpleheart
Specific gravity = .75-.90

Western Flame Maple
Specific gravity = .55-.65

Eastern Maple (Bird's-eye)
Specific gravity = .65-.75

Lacewood
Specific gravity = .45-.65

Zebrawood
Specific gravity = .65-.75


You're right, the top laminate is only 1/4" thick, so while you will notice a difference in weight between the heaviest and lightest top woods, the neck and the main body wood will have a larger impact on the weight (and tone) of the bass.

Here's an example with the Essence bass. The original all-Maple Essence basses weighed about 8 pounds on average for a 4-string. My Essence is 10.75 pounds with a 7-piece Maple/Purpleheart neck, Cherry body and Kingwood top. This is in stark contrast to the 6.75 pound Zebrawood Essence in our showroom that has a Mahogany body, and a Mahogany, Walnut and Birch neck that feels like it is filled with helium!
mtjam
Intermediate Member
Username: mtjam

Post Number: 177
Registered: 11-2011
Posted on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 5:30 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Mica, do you have any pics of this featherweight Essence?
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 2051
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 6:24 pm:   Edit Post

Mica,
I'm surprised at the weight of your Essence. It didn't seem that heavy to me when I played it at the Chicago get gathering. It must be the size that makes it appear lighter.

Keith
5a_quilt_top
Advanced Member
Username: 5a_quilt_top

Post Number: 343
Registered: 6-2012
Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 10:04 am:   Edit Post

...or the balance...
rjmsteel
Advanced Member
Username: rjmsteel

Post Number: 230
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 2:00 pm:   Edit Post

Mica,

I remember your beautiful Kingwood Essence at the Chicago gathering.

Keith I however seem to remember Mica`s bass as having a "compact mass" to the bass when Mica handed the bass to me briefly. Balanced (as referenced) yet dense... I`m sure it sounds great with those combinations of wood/body size.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8227
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post

Featherweight

It's purdy!


Another thing that makes my bass a bit heavy is the chunky neck carve I requested.
mtjam
Intermediate Member
Username: mtjam

Post Number: 178
Registered: 11-2011
Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 1:18 pm:   Edit Post

That is purdy! I have a soft spot for zebrawood since my first Alembic has a zebrawood top. I've also always wanted a super lightweight Alembic. What's the scale length on that one? Thanks, Mica!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8228
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 4:47 pm:   Edit Post

Regular ol' long scale there.

Zebrawood on this top is very handsome - you can't really tell in this still image, but it's shimmery like crazy. Very nice example!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 4173
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 5:52 am:   Edit Post

Sweet looking bass Mica. Is that your favourite Alembic body style?
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8231
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 5:18 pm:   Edit Post

I do love the Essence very much, but my heart belongs to the medium scale Series I Point body!
jseitang
Advanced Member
Username: jseitang

Post Number: 337
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2014 - 9:44 pm:   Edit Post

mica-

im ready.

J

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration