So most woods, exotic or not- have a density- so do you monitor the moisture content loss ? Or have a seasoning method for the wood for your basses?
I do monitor moisture levels. I buy from reliable sources (locally for 90% of it). When I buy the wood, it's typically ready to go. I let it acclimate to my shop before doing anything to it. Any woods that are high in moisture sit and wait... sometimes years before I...
Beyond the center-block, neck & fret board woods, what difference in sound do the wing woods bring?
On a neck through build, the wings don't have as much of a tonal contribution as a neck/body combo you'd experience from a bolt neck. The wings are more-so along for the ride. Some of the heavier/more dense woods can weigh in a bit tonally. Most of my builds are...
On your neck-through and set neck instruments, the shape of the body/neck contour is beautifully sculpted. How did you arrive at that design and how is it done?
I took a lot of mental inventory on upper fret access based off basses I had played over the years and came up with something that is both functional and cosmetically pleasing to my eye. With the end goal in mind, I had to find a means of carving things in a way to...
What difference, if any, can be heard from the different scale lengths?
Specific to my brand; 34" and 33" sound very even and predictable. 35" yields a slightly more piano like character to the overtones of the low B and low E strings, yet leaves higher notes on higher strings (G & high C) choked and shorter on sustain. 32" seems to...
I love the look and feel of hand oiled basses but they get dinged up a lot easier than the spray on clear coated basses. Can these little scratches, bumps and bruises be repaired?
Yes. They can be sanded/steamed out and the damaged areas can be easily re-oiled.
Are are the pros/cons, aside from cosmetic appearances, to having a custom top added to the body?
Tops are 95% cosmetic (especially on a neck through build). They can add to the overall sonic character by means of weight/density and how the combined components resonate with the string vibrations.
What are the pros/cons for a headless instrument?
Pros: smaller/shorter instrument. They're great for travel as they fit in an electric guitar sized gig bag. They work well if you find yourself on small, crowded stages (small clubs, coffee houses, orchestra pits, etc..). Sonically, they typically possess a more...
Besides personal preference, are there other benefits from having a thicker neck profile than a thinner one?
One benefit of a thicker neck is a stiffer, more rigid/stable neck. Of course, this will only be the case if the woods used are properly aged & cured as well as constructed with proper grain orientation.
What is the lightest wood, suitable for a bass, that doesn’t compromise the sound/construction? I guess this would include fingerboards, as they also contribute to overall weight.
The lightest body woods I've used are Paulowina, Spanish Cedar, and the super light varieties of Swamp ash. They all work, but yield a softer overall attack. I've had my best tonal success (while keeping weight down) by using alder or hemlock. For fingerboards; the...
I’ve never owned a Muckelroy “yet” or any bass that didn’t have a painted finish. One question that I’ve been wondering, what types of oil (oils, mixture etc) do you use for sealing your basses and how many coats or applications do you apply to each one, and does different wood types require less or more? And does an owner of one of your basses need to periodically reapply?
I use a three part mixture of teak oil, thinner and semi gloss poly. I use between 3 and 6 coats depending on the woods involved. Woods that are less dense or more open-pored tend to drink up a little more, requiring more coats.Owners of instruments with this type of...