Author Topic: Best Wood for an 'Unusual' Exploiter - Your Opinion, Please! (Read 622 times)

shakeyeraz · « **on:** October 21, 2003, 07:46:31 PM »

I love the Exploiter body and am close to placing an order for a 5-string w Signature electronics (my Europa is getting lonely). Problem is - what wood to use on the top. Originally I was looking at the Oceanburst finish but now am considering other options instead of a color. The Exploiter body shape (I think) demands only certain 'looks' and I'm all over the place on this. I do know that I want something really different and unusual looking. Latest thinking is Zebrawood with all of the random lines would look cool. I need help!

Thanks.

zappahead · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2003, 07:05:59 AM »

If money isnt an issue, Id look at the buckeye burl. I also think that a nice piece of walnut or coco bolo would be sweet too. I think zebrawood would be nice as well.

senmen · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2003, 07:14:02 AM »

Hi Shaky,
I agree. Buckeye Burl would look great but take
a look at the Exploiter with Purpleheart top in the gallery section.
This looks also really gorgeous!

Oliver (Spyder 4 and Spyder

shakeyeraz · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2003, 12:10:16 PM »

Great start on these thoughts - keep 'em coming! I want something that is unique, but tasteful.
Thanks.

BTW - it's shake-yer-az, get it?

dela217 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2003, 01:45:23 PM »

ZEBRAWOOD!! I like the zebrawood that is kinda wavy. I would stay away from the straight lined zebrawood for that body shape. The wavier the better! An amber tint over it would be great too.

cdf · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2003, 10:30:00 AM »

I would have to agree, Zebrawood. Especially with the wavier lines. Check out the Seismic Bass in the Featured Custom archives couple months ago, super cool looking Zebrawood. One of the coolest tops I have ever seen, especially for an earthshakin' bass. I am by no means a wood expert, but I think that one is from quartersawn Zebrawood. Of course there is also Quilted Coco Bolo very beautiful and VERY unique, but I understand also frightfully expensive.

zappahead · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2003, 10:41:28 AM »

I actually prefer the straight lined Zebrawood over the quartersawn stuff . I think a nice straight grained zebrawood top would be sweet on an exploiter. Im still just in love with the buckeye burl though.

Maybe a redwood or myrtle burl? A nice flame Koa top would be cool too, but you do see quite a few Koa guitars floating around.

The quilted coco bolo was 7000 dollars a side before the price increase if I remember correctly.

mikedm · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2003, 11:21:46 AM »

This is worse than choosing what color car you prefer. I've been all over the wood bank and there are some tasty blanks to be had. Most of them seem to lend themselves to bookmatched/symetrical body shapes. Maybe that's why most of the exploiters are flame tops or straight-grained woods, like the suggested zebrawood.
I think the burled woods make some of the wildest tops around. I wonder how much of the bookmatch effect you'd loose with the asymetrical exploiter? What would happen if you flip the right side vertically...puts a twist on the traditional bookmatch.
Have the zebrawood grain oriented at an angle to the neck?
Your original oceanburst idea...quilted maple with a tint vs the burst? pick your color...

One thing is for sure, when Alembic says custom, they mean it.

good luck...

shakeyeraz · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2003, 03:34:37 AM »

These responses show the true spirit of this community - thank you so much.

I like the support for the Zebrawood, not that the burls aren't the most dramatic, but I have a budget, too. The other thing is that my Europa has a Bocate top - kind of 'dark' so I was looking for a contrast. Again Zebrawood looks to fit the bill. I've also been looking at Spalted Maple - also kind of random and 'wavey'.

Great ideas all the way around.... now if I could only decide...

zappahead · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2003, 10:03:14 AM »

Alembic has some really nice spalted maple. Take a look in the 'factory to customer' section, they have a really nice spalted guitar in the works. I didnt think of the spalted maple, but that is some nice stuff. Another good choice.

shakeyeraz · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2003, 10:54:08 AM »

Thanks - I checked out 'Paul's Spalted Maple....' - this is different and tasteful and goes well with the neck-through 'look' (although I suppose bookmatched to center is a possibility as well).

I'm liking this more and more. hmmmm...

alembic76407 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2003, 10:24:32 AM »

shakey, do a search at the top of this page for spalted, there are two spalted basses there, and a neet page on spalted wood, it should be the first one on the search page

shakeyeraz · « **Reply #12 on:** October 31, 2003, 12:33:34 PM »

Well, I've made a few decisions over the past week and just ordered a King Standard 5-string with.... the Valentino body. What??? What happened to the Exploiter you ask?

Once I found the Valentino, I couldn't resist getting something truly unique - or at least somewhat unique.

Anyway, my first custom-ordered Alembic is now in the queue for production. Now if I could only decide on the top wood for this one.... hmmmm
Quilted maple (I think).

palembic · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2003, 12:49:57 PM »

Ok ...sigh ...I know that Valentino is the name of a fine Alembician and a co-moder for this site and someone great to have on the phone but ...please explain ...what the f*(*)(*^&++?

?*k is the Valentino model?

Paul the bad one

valvil · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2003, 01:13:48 PM »

That actually would be the Valentino #2 I believe. Basically an essence body with omegas & a pistol grip, Paul, I think you've seen it ...here's the link: http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/2047.html?1037581045

Valentino