Author Topic: Purpleheart neck laminates (Read 250 times)

jetbass79 · « **on:** August 27, 2005, 07:21:31 PM »

In the quote generator for through-neck models with the exception of instruments which already have them, purpleheart neck lams are $400 for two, $600 for three. This is strictly speaking for four string basses. Would that mean the approximate retail price for four purpleheart neck laminates would be $800?

Would it be practical to have five laminates of maple and four laminates of purpleheart in a four string neck? This it would seem for me anyway, to be a more practical way of getting more sustain without jumping to ebony neck laminates which for two are almost triple the price of three purpleheart laminates. The application would be for fretless bass. And whilst I would love three ebony laminates, or even two, it's just so cost prohibitive for me.

valvil · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2005, 12:23:25 PM »

Hello John,

yes, 4 PH laminates would cost 800$.
Nine laminates in a 4 string neck would be too many, they'd end up looking more like veneers than laminates. Your other option for increased sustain would be to add just one ebony neck laminate, which would be cheaper than 4 ph laminates.

Valentino

jetbass79 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2005, 04:13:15 PM »

I've noticed some people do two purpleheart neck laminates and one ebony neck laminate. What's the retail charge for this?

valvil · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2005, 05:06:04 PM »

It depends on the model you start from. If you start from a model that already features Purpleheart neck laminates (Europa, Signature Deluxe, Series) then the charge is 775$ for the extra Ebony laminate. If you start from a model that does not feature neck Purpleheart laminates then it would cost an extra 400 for the Ph laminates (200 each) plus 775 for the ebony, totalling 1175.

Valentino

jetbass79 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2005, 10:32:54 PM »

Another tedious question: What would the retail price of two walnut laminates (i.e. not pinstripes) and one ebony laminate run?

What I'm thinking is take a fretless Rogue with an Elan body and peghead, jazz pickups, europa/rogue electronics, and get the maximum amount of sustain without jumping all the way to two ebony neck laminates. I think the maple/walnut/maple/ebony/maple/walnut/maple would have a cool visual as well as sustain properties.

valvil · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2005, 01:00:02 PM »

The neck as described by you would be 1375$. For a 4 string a 7 piece neck is considered a deluxe neck, since normally it would only have 5 laminates.

Valentino

jetbass79 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2005, 03:59:34 PM »

So then the described neck with two purpleheart lams and one ebony laminate is assuming five piece construction versus seven. I thought the $1175 configuration was m/ph/m/e/m/ph/m, but I guess not.

bassjigga · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2005, 10:04:19 AM »

I have a question regarding the laminates as well. Actually two questions...

1. Is the ebony substantially better at adding to sustain than the purpleheart? Or do purpleheart lams seem to do the trick?

2. Does the benefit transfer to set necks as well?

jetbass79 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2005, 12:07:18 PM »

I know there's a six string Epic which used ebony neck laminates...it's a featured custom called Six String Sensation I believe. I would think that either ebony or purpleheart would add sustain to set necks, with ebony yielding more, and certainly more fundamental sustain.

The difference is the sustain of the fundamental -- ebony gives much more giving a larger bass sound. However, they are substantially more expensive than purpleheart, probably because of labor involved. This is my guess, anyway.

rklisme · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2005, 01:15:16 PM »

John

I have an Essence 4string with no lams and I have a Series I 4string with purple heart lams. I have played basses with ebony lams and I have a six string under contruction with purple heart lams. With all that said I can not say that there is an incredible amount of difference between any of them as far as sustain is concerned. Now the difference between my Alembics and my Fender is like night and day but that is comparing apples to oranges. I personally would say save your money and get the purple heart but that is just my opinion. As a bass player I am not looking to sustain my notes in the style that I play so maybe that is the difference for me. If I was playing guitar I think sustain would be more important to me. I am sure you will get differing opinions but ultimatly do whats best for you because you won't be dissapointed either way. Good luck!

Rory

jetbass79 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 12, 2005, 06:04:46 PM »

I don't think the ebony is really necessary anyway...purpleheart should be just fine for my Fretless Jazz on Steroids concept. In fact, the maple/walnut combination on my fretted Alembic works remarkably well in the sustain department. So I think three purpleheart laminations will do just fine.

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2005, 10:24:11 AM »

As we all likely know, Alembics are famous for sustain. My 6 string Elan Plus has the standard 5 purpleheart laminates, and sounds great, having noticably greater sustain than most other basses I've heard; really, the only basses I've heard with comparable/superior sustain are other Alembics.

But my custom 8 string bocate Europa -featured custom June 1999- with its 6 Ebony laminates and 3 purpleheart laminates AND THE BRASS SUSTAIN BLOCK completely blows the Elan and every other bass I've ever heard completely off the map in the sustain department. I've had several times when I play it for other players and just pluck a note (especially on the B and E strings) and let it ring, and after several seconds, any listening bass/guitar players always go wow and comment on the sustain. To call it very noticable would be an understatement.

This combination produces a VERY massive neck; it's not for everyone. But if the mass isn't a problem, the sound and sustain is in a class by itself.

Anyway, if you're considering the sustain issue, make sure you consider/ask about/get educated on -the brass sustain block. I don't think this is standard on all models -at least it wasn't standard on all when I got my bass. Mica told me that this was a recommended option for people seeking enhanced sustain, and it is likely cheaper than some of the other options.

Personally, I'd recommend all of the options (combined). Someone here recommended against a 9 piece neck on a four string, but I think it would be cool... of course the laminates would be thinner, and it would be expensive.

How about a 9 laminate neck m/p/e/p/m/p/e/p/m OR a 7 laminate neck like, say, p/m/e/m/e/m/p? Either of these would look very sharp, and would -especially with the brass sustain block- likely produce some earth-shaking sustain.

Definitely ask about the sustain block.

jetbass79 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2005, 04:06:28 PM »

The sustain block is standard on all through-neck models -- it didn't use to be that way but it is now. You can get it on a set neck at extra cost. That for me is a non issue -- the sustain block is a must-have.

jseitang · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2005, 09:37:16 AM »

i think the 9 piece ebony maple is the winner. i have that on my series II.