Tonewoods
As a general rule, anything with a specific gravity over about .85, such as Bubinga, Cocobolo and all the Rosewoods have a tendency to make the bass 'growl'. When light resonant timbers, like Swamp Ash, Alder or Sycamore are incorporated into a body, they give a clear open, 'hi-fi' sound.
Slightly heavier woods such as regular Ash and Maple add a little more brightness and punch.
Medium-weight darker open-grained timbers such as Mahogany, Walnut and Lacewood emphasise the mid-range, which is great for that classic fretless sound and a fat, warm clarity in fretted basses.
Through neck instruments, such as our flagship Progress series are usually constructed with five-piece laminated necks using a combination of Maples and Walnut, while bolt-on neck basses such as the Perception Series have a three-piece Maple laminate.
A wide variety of book-matched top woods are used - not only to add visual beauty and individuality to the bass but these timbers also blend with the main body and neck timbers and add extra definition to the tonal characteristics of the instrument.
In addition to the constructional woods mentioned here, other woods are employed from time to time and it must be remembered that all timbers are subject to natural variation and availability.
Here are our most popular timbers and their uses...
Neck woods
Through neck instruments are usually constructed with five-piece laminated necks using a combination of maples, bubinga and purpleheart.
Bolt-on neck instruments such as the J Series and Evolution usually use a one-piece maple neck or the three-piece maple and malnut laminates respectively.
Body woods
The body wood is where the majority of the tone of the bass comes from.
Top woods
These top woods not only give a stunning finish to the bass but also add to the tonal characteristics.
In addition to the woods shown here other woods are employed from time to time and it must be remembered that all timbers are subject to natural variation and availability.