spruce or ....

[Ken Smith]

Most American Basses from the 19th century that I have seen were made with local Pine. Usually New England White Pine but not exclusively. Many English Basses were also made with imported American pine, Pitch Pine and Yellow pine. I have basses with these tops made in England. Also, quite a few Italian basses were made with slap cut local growth pine as it was available for one and also cheaper for the least important string instrument of its time.

From what I have seen on old Basses, grain direction and tone have no correlation. They do have strength issues between them being that the straighter the stronger and the higher arch stronger than the flatter is stronger as well. Flat sawn and flat arch = sunken top. Tight straight grain and high arch = a tight top..

On most Basses from France on east to Vienna, most of what I have seen is straight grained Spruce. Some older Viennese basses are occasionally made with irregular grain and multi piece tops like some Italians but from the most part, central Europe used straight grained Euro spruce.

[Adrian Levi]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Most American Basses from the 19th century that I have seen were made with local Pine. Usually New England White Pine but not exclusively. Many English Basses were also made with imported American pine, Pitch Pine and Yellow pine. I have basses with these tops made in England. Also, quite a few Italian basses were made with slap cut local growth pine as it was available for one and also cheaper for the least important string instrument of its time.

From what I have seen on old Basses, grain direction and tone have no correlation. They do have strength issues between them being that the straighter the stronger and the higher arch stronger than the flatter is stronger as well. Flat sawn and flat arch = sunken top. Tight straight grain and high arch = a tight top..

On most Basses from France on east to Vienna, most of what I have seen is straight grained Spruce. Some older Viennese basses are occasionally made with irregular grain and multi piece tops like some Italians but from the most part, central Europe used straight grained Euro spruce.

I was really under the impression that only one type of spruce was 'good enough' for instrument use. So it seems that Douglas Fir was used at times in America for bass making probably as it is common in the US.
Would a pic of the grain and general color of the wood I have help identify the species or are they too similar ?

[Adrian Levi]

Originally Posted by Adrian Levi

I was really under the impression that only one type of spruce was 'good enough' for instrument use. So it seems that Douglas Fir was used at times in America for bass making probably as it is common in the US.
Would a pic of the grain and general color of the wood I have help identify the species or are they too similar ?

I'm putting up a pic just in case / but doubt it can be pinpointed to an exact species from a picture !!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Adrian Levi

I'm putting up a pic just in case / but doubt it can be pinpointed to an exact species from a picture !!

Oh yes, I remember that tree.. lol

I have no idea, really. Did I mention Douglas Fir in my post above? I don't think that it grows in New England where most of the basses were made. Actually, it's grows about 3,000 miles west of here, sorry. That doesn't mean it can't be used. I just can't answer you on that though, sorry.

[Adrian Levi]

well I guess there goes the Douglas Fir theory - out the window

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by wayne holmes

Great question Adrian-very helpful answers ken and Arnold-thanks

What's the opinion of using domestic poplar for the sides and back. If you would recommend poplar, is there a certain type of poplar grown in the U.S. that is preferred.?

I think most of the Italians that used it did it by convenience and so did the few others who made basses and Cellos with it in the old days. Some may have thought it bedded for the deep tone. Modern makers using figured Poplar do it for whatever reasons they think makes it good. I have two modern basses with Poplar, a Lombardi from 1981 and a Sirleto from 1992. I am pretty sure the wood is Poplar on the back and sides BUT, this is Italian Poplar. I don't think we have anything here in the State that is similar.

For me, I think that maple projects the sound the best. All of my 'loud' basses have been maple of one kind or another. This includes Bosnian, American Sugar Maple, English Sycamore, the maple used by the French and Oppio, the Italian local Maple. Of course, it helps if the bass is a good bass as well.

For the work it takes to make a good bass, why would anyone bother with cheap or unknown woods? Walnut also works well as I have seen a few basses from it. This includes Italian local Walnut, American Black Walnut and west coast Claro Walnut.

It would be impossible to guess how THAT bass would be if a different wood was used unless, you make 2, 3, 4 or more Basses with matched Tops from the same Log and used a different species of back/sides sets for each bass.

Arnold has made one bass with Red maple sides that worked as well. It is softer so the back would need to be thicker in spots. Harder wood can go thinner from what I have seen. This goes for Tops as well.