Custom Bass Build with Cliff Bordwell

#21
mikezimmerman said:
:hyper:

It will be even more amazing when you can see the purpleheart, but it definitely looks like a bass now!
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I know! He said he already shaped the bass and that it was very "easy to shape". I can't wait to see how it turned out!

TapyTap said:
That Maple Fingerboard looks awesome! Cliff's choice of wood species is always superb.
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For real! Check out the latest detailed pics I found of the top wood.

ole Jason said:
Man I really dig the SC shape. Definitely pumped to see how this turns out.
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Thanks! I spent a lot of time designing that shape and Cliff spent a lot of time working with me to make sure we got it right! I can't wait either... Also, I just came up with a double cutaway version... Maybe for my next build?

Here are some more pics Cliff posted on his website showing more amazing detail of the top wood.

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#22
Definitely a single cut shape I could live with. Generally not a fan, but I like that. Going to be a beauty!
 
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#24
bholder said:
Definitely a single cut shape I could live with. Generally not a fan, but I like that. Going to be a beauty!
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Thanks so much. I spent a long time on this design. It's a LOT harder than you think to design the shape of a bass body.

TapyTap said:
That facing is definitely nice also...major patterns in that top!
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For REAL! I almost get lost in that grain!

Cliff sent me another pic today. It shows the thin purple heart wood accent in the body layup before shaping. I called him out for being a tease with the pics... Especially since I know he's already shaped the body. LOL! It's all about the suspenseful build up! You can finally see the big contrasting grain of the Ash body.

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#25
Sweet! The purpleheart is thinner than I was expecting from the mock ups, but it looks great, and the color on that top is amazing, especially next to the fretboard.

mflatau said:
Cliff sent me another pic today. It shows the thin purple heart wood accent in the body layup before shaping. I called him out for being a tease with the pics... Especially since I know he's already shaped the body. LOL! It's all about the suspenseful build up! You can finally see the big contrasting grain of the Ash body.

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#28
mikezimmerman said:
Sweet! The purpleheart is thinner than I was expecting from the mock ups, but it looks great, and the color on that top is amazing, especially next to the fretboard.
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Yeah, when I did the mock up, I wasn't sure how thick the PH later was going to be. It's thinner than what I thought it was going to be, but I think it's going to look classy. Should provide a nice outline to the contour once it is shaped... Or once Cliff sends me a pic of it shaped...

Eminor3rd said:
This is awesome man!

I put my deposit down with cliff at the end of April this year, so I'll use this thread to tide over my ~9 month wait if you don't mind :D
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I don't mind at ALL! I remember I was anxious 9 months ago... So I know you are already thinking about 1000 different things! Have you already figured out your build? Details please!

mikezimmerman said:
Clearly I need to be bugging Cliff for more pictures myself!
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LOL!

So, I got another updated pic! She has a face now! Pickup routes, check! 500 holes for knobs/switches/jack, check! One anxious future owner, CHECK!
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#30
mflatau said:
I don't mind at ALL! I remember I was anxious 9 months ago... So I know you are already thinking about 1000 different things! Have you already figured out your build? Details please!
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Not nearly as unique as yours: Unlined fretless, five string (BEADG), 18mm, Dola shape, Maccassar Ebony on top of Ash, Gaboon Ebony neck, passive (V/V/T), new-style headstock, blue luminlays. The only thing I haven't decided on is the pickup positioning -- I know I'm going with two Nordstrand Fat Stacks, but I've been doing a ton of research to see where I should put them. Right now, I think they're both going to be pretty close to the bridge. My right hand is most comfortable plucking near the fattest part of the bass, and my tone tends to be too tubby sounding most of the time.
 
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#31
Eminor3rd said:
Not nearly as unique as yours: Unlined fretless, five string (BEADG), 18mm, Dola shape, Maccassar Ebony on top of Ash, Gaboon Ebony neck, passive (V/V/T), new-style headstock, blue luminlays. The only thing I haven't decided on is the pickup positioning -- I know I'm going with two Nordstrand Fat Stacks, but I've been doing a ton of research to see where I should put them. Right now, I think they're both going to be pretty close to the bridge. My right hand is most comfortable plucking near the fattest part of the bass, and my tone tends to be too tubby sounding most of the time.
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That sounds pretty awesome. What made you decide on the FatStacks vs BigSingles/BigSplits? I was going to go with the Dola shape before I designed my custom shape. Lots of ebony! Should be real nice. Hopefully you'll make a build thread so I can follow it!

Got another nice pic from Cliff this morning! It's the headstock all cleaned up and nice looking. The figuring is gorgeous! I have a feeling I'll catch myself just staring at this bass once it's finished...
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#32
mflatau said:
That sounds pretty awesome. What made you decide on the FatStacks vs BigSingles/BigSplits? I was going to go with the Dola shape before I designed my custom shape. Lots of ebony! Should be real nice. Hopefully you'll make a build thread so I can follow it!

Got another nice pic from Cliff this morning! It's the headstock all cleaned up and nice looking. The figuring is gorgeous! I have a feeling I'll catch myself just staring at this bass once it's finished...
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I came in thinking Big Singles too, but Cliff suggested Fat Stacks because I'm going passive, and the higher output would help with tonal versatility without adding noise.

Yeah, I'll definitely start a build thread when the time comes. It's exciting -- this is my first custom build so I get to do the posting that you guys normally do! :D
 
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#36
mflatau said:
Just nabbed this pic off the Cliff Bordwell website. Another angle of the body with routing for electronics. Cliff asked if I wanted to name my bass body shape. Of course! Now, I just have to decide on a good name...

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You could call it the "pscb" just to tweak a few pretentious noses around here. :roflmao:
 
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#37
bholder said:
You could call it the "pscb" just to tweak a few pretentious noses around here. :roflmao:
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You're gonna have to help me with the reference on this one...

Snagged this pic off Cliff's website. It's like a scavenger hunt finding pics of the build process. Some are personal emails, some from Facebook, some Instagram, and others the website.

This shows a teaser of the shaping and sanding process. You can see the fine accent line created by the purple heart wood between the top and body.
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#39
TapyTap said:
The thin accent line is very tastefully done.
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Thanks! Cliff really is a master at his craft!

Cliff sent me another pic this morning... :woot:drool:woot:

Finally I am starting to see how the body was shaped. The thin accent of the purple heart wood looks really classy here. I think Cliff is only giving me little bits at a time to make it more of a surprise when the bass is completed. Looks like I should have easy access to all 22 frets.

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