My Cliff Bordwell Thread.

[GSR]

I've been communicating with Cliff for about 3 weeks now. Here's my specs sheet.

CB Basses
Andrew Marvin


Ball-Bass 6-string Fretless

Dimensions
Scale length: 35
Neck shape: Oval
Width at nut: 2.15
String spacing at Bridge: 18mm

Body thickness: 1.525
Weight:

Construction
Neck:
Fingerboard: Bloodwood

Fingerboard Radius: 16” or 0(Flat)

Nut: Ebony

Full faced top Yes($100) / No (n/c)
Body woods

Top: Imbuia

Body: Mahogany

Headstock Plate: Imbuia

Hardware

Color:
Bridge: Hipshot style “A”
Tuners:

Truss rod: two-way adjustable

Fretless: 24 positions
Strap locks
Output: 1/4" Face mount(N/C) or Side mount($20)

Electronics
Pickups: Nordstrand SE’s

Preamp: Aguilar OBP-3 w/ passive tone
Controls:
Gig Bag

Standard gig bag: N/C (Levy’s Em8)

Deluxe gig bag: $50 (Levy’s CM19L)

[GSR]

This body shape:


This fingerboard wood, bloodwood:


This top wood:

[GSR]

This is how our exchange went via email:

(no subject)
24 messages
Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Thu, Aug 31, 2006 at 9:29 PM
To: Cliff@cbbasses.com
Hi Mr. Bordwell,

I'm not sure if you remember me, but I emailed you back in July just to introduce myself after I met Dave Munter in New York. I mentioned that I would likely be a future customer of yours, and I was wondering if you would be interested in/willing to build an instrument for me?

I've been talking a lot with Dave since he got his 6-string piccolo (amazing!), and he said that your spaces were filling up faster these days. Originally I was only holding off on contacting you because I wanted to be in a little bit of a better place financially (being a college student, haha) to provide you with a downpayment to reserve one of your spots. But, I understand from Dave that you've got a pretty full plate for a while, and I only assume it will get fuller as time goes on! So it looks like there's no better time than now, if it's alright with you, that is.

So, I just wanted to get some communication going between us and to see how you felt about the whole thing. Good luck with your current projects!

Thanks so much,
Andrew

Cliff Bordwell <cliff> Thu, Aug 31, 2006 at 10:13 PM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
Absolutely, from what Dave has said about you, it would be a pleasure to make a bass for you.
What are some of the things that you have in mind?

Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com

Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Thu, Aug 31, 2006 at 10:55 PM
To: Cliff Bordwell <cliff>
Haha, wow, can't ask for a better response than that!

Well, I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but I ordered a 4-string fretted bass from Carl (Thompson) back in November of last year. It's still a ways off until it's completed though, which I'm sure you'd guess if you know Carl's basses at all! Anyway, I've been playing for 4 years or so now, and I finally think it's time to reach for a a 6-string.

Since I have a fretted 4 in the works, I was also thinking of going fretless for the 6er. I'm playing a fretted modulus jazz and a fretless modulus quantum now, and frankly, I'm tired of graphite and I'm looking to get back to the organic feel of a wood bass and something that feels like a piece of artwork rather than a piece of machinery, if that makes sense.

I'm not exactly sure how you like to do things, so I'm not sure if I should look through your options on the website one by one and pick things out, or if we can just kinda play around with it. I'd also like your input on a large part of the bass, and I'm sure I'll be asking Dave for some as well. I'm not sure if I want/need the deluxe versus the standard or what woods and such I want. I don't really know much about tonal properties as far as woods go, but I do know what I like in terms of aesthetics. I will say that I love the look of the D-shape body, and that 5-string D-fretless with the bloodwood is awesome looking.

Weight is a concern of mine, so I'd like to try to keep it light, or as light as a 6 string can be! As far as pickups go, I'm not really good at EQing and dialing in different tones with blend knobs and stuff. My jazz has neck pickup, bridge pickup, and both pickup volume knobs, and I really don't like chasing after a different tone each day. I'd prefer bass, mid, and treble knobs instead, a simple setup. I don't know if active pickups or a 3-band eq thingamabob is necessary for that or not? Anyway, we got time. Oh, and I think I'm gonna stick with a 35" scale for this one.

...I guess I got a little excited. Sorry to dump so much text about a future project on you when you have many more projects happening right now, but I'm sure you know what it's like to be jazzed over a new bass! I don't really have too many ideas that are MUST HAVES, other than a 6-string fretless with inlays, D-body shape, so when the time comes any input you have would be most welcome. Didn't mean to take up so much of your time!

Thanks so much for accepting my order, I'll catch up with you soon!
Andrew


Cliff Bordwell <cliff> Fri, Sep 1, 2006 at 7:15 AM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
The best way to go about things would be to decide if you want a figured top and preamp.
If you do go with the "Deluxe" and start adding the other options that you want. If not,
start with the "Standard" and add your options. If you want to go with a Bloodwood top
that wouldn't be considered a figured top so start with the "Standard" model.

If I missed any question or if you have any others that I may answer, just let me know.

Take care,
Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com

Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Fri, Sep 1, 2006 at 10:03 PM
To: Cliff Bordwell <cliff>
Hi Cliff,

That sounds like a good approach. I don't know jack about electronics though. Does a 3-band EQ just mean bass, mid, treble? What are my options besides a 3-band EQ? Do I need one if I want an active bass? Forgive my ignorance, haha.

Also, does a figured top have any effect on the weight or any other aspects of the bass, other than aesthetics?

By the way, I think that some woods are softer/harder than others right? I slap/pop a lot, even on fretlesses, and use nickelwound strings on them, I might even try stainless steel one day. Should I take that into account when I'm choosing a fingerboard wood? Or is there like a lacquer or something that'll protect the wood from wearing excessively?

Thanks man,
Andrew


Cliff Bordwell <cliff> Sat, Sep 2, 2006 at 6:31 AM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>

The preamp is just a 3-band EQ, Bass, Mids, Treble.
The preamp is separate from the pickups, so you can have a
preamp(active) or just the standard Fender setup(passive tone).
You can go with any pickups with either of the above. The best
pickups out there right now, in my opinion are the Nordstrand
SE's(split coils), those are in Muntner's latest bass.
The top is generally a .25 thick, it doesn't do that much to
the overall tone or weight.
If you are going to use round wounds and slap on a fretless
you will need to go with Ebony, Bloodwood or a stabilized
fingerboard. You can get some pretty cool stabilized boards,
but what is available is what ever Larry at Gallery Hardwoods
happens to have put through the process at the time you are
looking.

Take care,
Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Sat, Sep 2, 2006 at 1:42 PM
To: Cliff Bordwell <cliff>
Hi Cliff,

Do you think having the 3-band EQ on the bass AND on the amplifier is superfluous? See, I don't really have a preference other than making sure it sounds badass, haha. Dave mentioned that a jazz control setup would be cool, with 2 volume and a tone, but I think that's what my modulus has now, and I feel like I'm always blindly messing around with the knobs chasing after something that sounds decent; though maybe it's my amp, or bass, or my own incompetence with EQing. With a 3-band EQ, I feel like it'd be easier: want more midrange = turn mid knob, y'know? I just don't want to have the tone I want to be "unreachable" because the pickup/electronics configuration doesn't allow it, if that's possible/makes sense. Just a fear I have.

Glad to hear that Bloodwood is a good choice for a fingerboard. I think I'm going to go with a figured top, it's just a matter of finding one that complements the Bloodwood... any thoughts on that? I had a thought than an ebony fingerboard with the myrtle or imbuia would be kind of cool for a "Black & White" bass, but who knows.

I'm also gonna need some help with the different neck shapes, when the time comes.

Thanks so much,
Andrew


Cliff Bordwell <cliff> Sat, Sep 2, 2006 at 2:09 PM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
The EQ thing is a personal preference, I myself like a volume, blend, passive tone set up.
I get most of the different tones from the blend knob and the EQ on the amp.

There are a lot of options when it comes to a good wood combo. I think the Bloodwood
will look good with the Imbuia or Myrtle. That Imbuia looks much cooler in person than
in the picture that I took.

Have a good day,
Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Sat, Sep 2, 2006 at 5:17 PM
To: Cliff Bordwell <cliff>
I really dig the Imbuia. Any real difference from the Myrtle other than looks? A Bloodwood fingerboard with a Imbuia top sounds awesome. Then it's just a matter of choosing a body wood that will look/work well with the other two, right?

I do want to stick with an active bass. The Nordstrand pickups sound awesome. I think I'll take the 3-band EQ as well, plus a volume knob. That's 4 knobs already though, so is there room for a tone or blend knob? Or are those passive features only?

Oh and by the way, why do you and Dave like the Nordstrand SEs the best? What's so cool about them?

Thanks as always,


Cliff Bordwell <cliff> Sun, Sep 3, 2006 at 8:40 AM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
No noticeable difference between the two tops other than looks.
I have some nice lightweight Mahogany that would look good or
if you want something lighter you could go with lightweight Ash.

I can get 6 knobs to fit pretty comfortably, a passive tone is a good
addition.

The Nordstrand SE's just let the bass(wood) come through. A lot
of pickups add color which can be a negative thing.

Take care,
Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Sun, Sep 3, 2006 at 4:57 PM
To: Cliff Bordwell <cliff>
I'd love to go with the Imbuia top then, and lightweight Mahogany sounds awesome, unless the Ash is really significantly lighter.

That seems like a good knob setup; sounds like it'll be a pretty versatile configuration.

And the pickups sound awesome too. COOL.

Alrighty, I'm gonna work hard to get you a downpayment hopefully soon so I can grab a spot in line. Thanks for bouncing ideas around with me. It's refreshing to actually have a lot of say in your bass. Carl is unbelievable, but he loves to do his own thing, which is usually an amazing result! Awesome awesome awesome.

Andrew


Cliff Bordwell <cliff> Sun, Sep 3, 2006 at 6:27 PM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
The Ash and Mahogany a very similar in weight.

I attached your specs sheet to keep track of the ideas, feel free to
change things around and send the updated specs back to me.

To lock into that spot I will need $500 down, then 50% of the total
is 30 days before your bass will start. Which your bass would start
5 months from now, maybe a little earlier than that.

Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Sun, Sep 3, 2006 at 6:44 PM
To: Cliff Bordwell <cliff>
Then Mahogany is clearly the way to go. Sounds great about the specs. Is the $500 part of the total? Or is that separate from the price of the bass?

Thanks Cliff!


Cliff Bordwell <cliff> Sun, Sep 3, 2006 at 7:08 PM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
That is part of the total, the $500 comes off the price of the bass.

Take care,
Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Fri, Sep 8, 2006 at 12:20 AM
To: Cliff Bordwell <cliff>
Hi Cliff,

I'm ready to send the $500, if that's alright with you. Can we do PayPal?

Thanks,


Cliff <cbordwell> Fri, Sep 8, 2006 at 3:49 AM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
PayPal is fine: cliff@cbbasses.com
I will send you a receipt when I get the payment.

I look forward to making this bass for you.

Take care,
Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Fri, Sep 8, 2006 at 2:20 PM
To: Cliff <cbordwell>
Hi Cliff,

Just sent the $. Thanks so much!!

Andrew


Cliff <cbordwell> Fri, Sep 8, 2006 at 3:52 PM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
Thank you,

Could get your address and phone #
I will make up a receipt and send it to you when
I get your address info.

Take care,
Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Fri, Sep 8, 2006 at 5:05 PM
To: Cliff <cbordwell>
Hey Cliff,

My address at home is:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

My house phone is:
XXXXXXXXXX

My cell phone is:
XXXXXXXXXX

Thanks!


Cliff <cbordwell> Fri, Sep 8, 2006 at 9:38 PM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
Hey Andrew,

I attached your receipt.
I also attached your specs sheet just incase you didn't have a copy.

Take care,
Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com

2 attachments

Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Sat, Sep 9, 2006 at 2:42 AM
To: Cliff <cbordwell>
Coooooooool. Thanks!


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Fri, Sep 15, 2006 at 1:30 AM
To: Cliff <cbordwell>
Hey Cliff,

I was thinking... I was wondering if we could change the body type to the ball-bass model... because it's awesome. Is that cool?

By the way, the new pics look great.
Andrew


Cliff <cbordwell> Fri, Sep 15, 2006 at 6:44 AM
To: Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin>
No problem, I will update your specs sheet.

Cliff Bordwell
http://www.cbbasses.com


Andrew Marvin <andrewmarvin> Fri, Sep 15, 2006 at 12:52 PM
To: Cliff <cbordwell>
Awesome. Thanks Cliff.
[Quoted text hidden]
--
~Andrew

[bassman462]

think you're going to have enough custom basses for a college student?

[GSR]

think you're going to have enough custom basses for a college student?

I think i'm going to have enough for life. Until I can afford a fretted 6, piccolo, and anything else I think of.

[bassman462]

it will be pretty sweet though. what are you majoring in?

[GSR]

it will be pretty sweet though. what are you majoring in?

Undeclared for a little while longer.

[lakerhoc1121]

and how much will this cost?

[Cor]

Wow. Congrats on the purchase. A CT and this bass. And college at the same time. Wow.

[GSR]

Cliff's basses run much much cheaper than Carl's, have more of a set price, and will take about a fourth of the time.

Cliff does a $500 down payment to reserve a spot, which I've already paid. The remainder of the bass depends on your order. The standard 6-string is $2100, the deluxe (with pre-amp & figured top) is $2500. We're planning on about a $2000 balance.

I'm going to be selling my modulus fretless to help finance it, which will help. The input jack on the quantum was going bad, so my dad brought it down to guitar center where I bought it for me to get it fixed. While he was there he asked them how much they'd be interested in it for. Guitar Center never carries modulus, and they said it's in great shape, so they were very interested in buying it back for at least what they originally paid for it, which was $650. I could definitly get more elsewhere, but one of the sales reps looked up modulus basses and said he couldn't find one for less than a grand, so they'd be willing to go higher and closer to what I paid for it, which was a grand. That'll help finance a large part of the bass so that I don't have to eat my savings too badly.

Cliff builds his basses in cycles. If you go to his website now and click on The News, you'll see the group of basses he's working on now. 4 or 5 of them I think. He said it would take about 5 months, or a little less, for him to get to my bass, then 3 or 4 months to actually build it. I'm guessing I'll have it over the summer before my junior year. So, I'll be paying off and receiving the 6-string probably a decent amount before Carl is done with the 4-string.

My dad helps me out a lot with advice on these kinds of financial decisions, and we figured that these luthiers certainly aren't going to be lowering their prices any time soon, and raising them is much more likely. $2500 for a 6 string is pennies compared to what I'll be paying Carl for my 4-string. Obviously Carl is much older, has more orders, and a 2 or 3 year wait time. Both of these instruments are long term investments: I won't be buying another 4-string or 6-string for a looooooooong, long time.

My friend Dave Munter, who's in his thirties and is a full time musician, whom I met in New York when Carl got us in to see Les' soundcheck, has probably upwards of 20 or 30 basses. That includes 7 CTs, only one of which he's personally ordered from Carl. Dave has told Carl that he'll only order one bass from him. Since Carl loves meeting new people, Dave feels that the thing to do is to order one from him, and then step back and allow Carl to build instruments for more new people, like me he said, rather than having to repeatedly build instruments for the same friends of his. That's not to say his good friends don't order more, our friend Jeff has a couple on order, it's just one Dave believes. He's the one that persuaded me to get in contact with Cliff. I asked him how he afforded so many basses, especially so many customs, and he just said he started young when the prices were low. I figured I'd do the same. I'm psyched.

[Cor]

I understand. I mean, I just dropped 1,300 on a new guitar before school because I'm a music major. I guess maybe it's just weird cause I've spent probably 30 dollars or less in the month I've been at college. And that was either on pizza, alcohol, or the two sets of strings I bought the other day.

Like I said though, congrats on the order.

[GSR]

I understand. I mean, I just dropped 1,300 on a new guitar before school because I'm a music major. I guess maybe it's just weird cause I've spent probably 30 dollars or less in the month I've been at college. And that was either on pizza, alcohol, or the two sets of strings I bought the other day.

Like I said though, congrats on the order.

Oh yeah, I definitly spend very little money while I'm at school. Plus I have a job as a manager in the Student Union, so I get paid for that each week. So often more money will be going into my account than I'll be taking out. And that's gooood.

[GSR]

Latest batch of completed CBs posted today:
http://www.cbbasses.com -> The News


^SICK!!!11

[sunglassesatnight]

A trust fund must be fucking fantastic.

[GSR]

A trust fund must be fucking fantastic.

You know you just create the image of a fat kid with low self-esteem that takes out his self-hate on others?

I don't have a trust fund. I've been mowing lawns/savings since I was 14 or 15, and I've had an additional regular job ever since I was 16. So to correct you, provided you were talking about me, I have a savings account with about five grand in it that I've earned. Cliff's basses take about a year to make and Carl's take three years, and the payments are not made all at once, so it's not difficult to manage the investment.

Please don't bring unnecessary negativity into my thread. Stick with attacking me and others in nDMB.