Alembic fingerboard

[mwgrient]

I want to have a pau ferro fingerboard...
Would this be a good idea if I search for:
1. massive B
2. jaco sound
3. bright and deep tone
Like to hear from you.
Marco

[mele_aloha]

Hi Marco,
 
I can only give you my opinion based on my experience.
 
I have an Excel with a Pau Ferro fingerboard and I love it! Granted my bass is only a single pick-up so I can only tell you that it gets great low b's massive you might say from my fat boy pick-up. It's got the best fat low sound I have ever heard. It is so thick and low!!!!  
 
In as far as I can tell ya about bright, it's crisp and clean and yes deep tone as I eluded to earlier.
 
Actually I was just reading up on it and would even consider putting it on my ordered Series II but I already have Ebony ordered and so I am going to stick with that.
 
But honestly, I bet there isn't that much diffence between it and Ebony, if anything it might even be better depending on the application. Ebony probably is more dense though. Although Pau Ferro is known as Ironwood!
 
I say- Go for it!!!!
 
Aloha, Paul
 
(Message edited by mele_aloha on May 01, 2007)

[kmh364]

FWIW, Ebony, being harder and more dense than rosewood or pau ferro, is brighter sounding. The latter woods are warmer sounding (i.e., less bright. Which do you prefer? It's all good.
 
Here's a good reference for tone wood sounds (besides what's already been said here by Mica and Co):
 
http://www.warmoth.com/bass/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=guitar_neckwoods

[bigbadbill]

I found by experience yesterday (playing a good many basses in the Gallery in Camden) that I actually prefer lacquered maple boards. Smooth, warm, open, sweet highs...fabulous. Because I do a lot of playing with a pick I've often struggled with ebony which can get a bit clacky; Alembic's filters help here obviously.

[David Houck]

Marco; if you haven't found it already, here is Alembic's description page for fingerboard woods.