Mike Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) [font="Verdana"]Hi all! I'm wondering if you fine people can suggest a nice fingerboard wood from my upcoming custom. It's built by Jon Shuker ([url="http://www.shukerguitars.co.uk"]www.shukerguitars.co.uk[/url]). It's going to a 5 string Jazz, designed to pretty much match my first 4 string he built me - shown here! My five string will be made of the same woods, but have a red finish, with matching headstock. I will have pearl block inlays as well. My question is this: What wood shall I use for the fingerboard? I'm looking for something quite dark, but with a really interesting grain/figure to it. Ideally it will have some red mixed in, to match, but NOT overpower the red finish! I have considered Macassar, Ziricote and Bocate, all of which look tremendous. Can you give me your thoughts on these three, pros and cons, and any other suggestions you may have, ideally supported by pictures? Thanks in advance! Regards, Mike[/font] Edited January 31, 2008 by Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I'd personally go with Macassar just because I think it looks absolutely stunning when you get a nice piece! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 I'd go for ziricote - I think it would look cool with a red finish bass. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 macassar i think but i bet they would all work great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 ooooh... i'd need to see some wood pics!! lol. Has Jon got any pieces in stock? There maybe one with a particularly nice grain that may stand out over the others. I had the choice of picking what slice of Birdseye I wanted for my 7er.. there were some pieces that had few 'eyes' and others that looked like a bad case of acne lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 With blocks I think a highly figured wood would be a bit much - I personally would opt for a sweet piece of ebony! (IMHO of course) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 I'm with ped, with blocks I'd go for ebony or classic rosewood infact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Nice bit of knotty pine :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 What a fabulous choice to have to make! I'm quite jealous. What dood said... have you got any pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Why not wenge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Thanks for the input, all. Here are some pics of woods - I'm waiting for Jon to send me more specific pictures of his stocks. [b] Macassar:[/b] [b]Ziricote: [/b] [b]Indian Rosewood: [/b] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngh Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Well, I know its not dark, but I aways like Birdseye maple, it looks great. Jon told me he doesn't like using ebony unless he's the customer says there is no chice. This was afater I had "issues" with the ebony board on the Sei I had that Jon had to sort out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walplayer Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 The warmest sounding to counter the paint/lacquer a bit(the 1st 2 pieces of rosewood look nice) If it was me though,it'd be a plain ebony fretless board!!(not impregnated) [quote name='Johngh' post='131912' date='Feb 1 2008, 01:25 PM']Well, I know its not dark, but I aways like Birdseye maple, it looks great. Jon told me he doesn't like using ebony unless he's the customer says there is no chice. This was afater I had "issues" with the ebony board on the Sei I had that Jon had to sort out.[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share Posted February 1, 2008 Okay...I'm actually after a fretted bass. And I'm steering cleer of ebony after what Jon's said to me. I'd like a dark wood, so no birdseye maple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 i went other, because i love that indian rosewood. The macassar is cool, too, but i don't like the ziricot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 Definitely not the ziricote. Either the macassar or the rosewood of your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 This is what I've gone with; good old Rosewood. I must say, Jon picks the nicest pieces of wood. Once this is oiled, I think the grain will look lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted February 1, 2008 Share Posted February 1, 2008 MB1. Elephant Stone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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