Durability of woods

[zekre]

Hey guys

Just wondering about the durability and level of shockproof-ness of the common guitar body woods.

Just got a CIJ tele std made of basswood the other day and was wondering as to around how long it's gonna last (spent a healthy sum of my NS allowance on it). I keep hearing stuff about basswood's fragility and would just like to see if anyone's experiencing the same issues.

Thanks.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

basswood dents relatively easily as compared to other types of wood, but it's ok, u needa really mean to smash your guitar to make it go boomz, otherwise, normal knocks and even falls from low height won't destroy your guitar.

 

[zekre]

uuhhh... how easily does it dent exactly? Like a minor bump or so, perhaps?

Anyway, I heard there's a difference between types of basswood, ie. heartwood vs pulpwood. How do I check which mine is made of? (Any distinct differences in colour or pattern?)

One more thing, how is alder in terms of durability as well?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[lazy3yed]

It's really nothing to worry about. If you take good care of it, it'll last you a long long time. What's more? Dents and scratches got mojo, ya know? But, just be really mindful of where you rest the guitar. Most guitars get dents due to falls. Murphy's Law! "What can go wrong, WILL GO WRONG"

What's important is how it plays and sounds. Hope you're enjoying it.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

haha bro, the reason why this topic is seldom discussed is because it doesn't matter, you will knock your guitar when you practise sitting down and turn, you will knock you guitar when you bend down to adjust your effects, you will knock your guitar when you swing it around like yngwie. the dents will be there, it'll be very small, if it has a metallic finish, the paint might drop off 1st. in the end, they're but 1 to 2 mm dents, 0.5mm deep.

you can worry about other things, just don't worry about this. durability of wood is a wrong word here, it's not the wood that breaks after long use like in wow or diablo unless your idea of how to use a guitar is similar to the characters starring in L4D2. you most probably needa change the oxidizing electronics, the rusting screws, the worn out frets etc more than trying to prevent your body wood from self destruction. wood is solid, but there are many harder things around that can dent it.

 

[J.custom]

haha bro, the reason why this topic is seldom discussed is because it doesn't matter, you will knock your guitar when you practise sitting down and turn, you will knock you guitar when you bend down to adjust your effects, you will knock your guitar when you swing it around like yngwie. the dents will be there, it'll be very small, if it has a metallic finish, the paint might drop off 1st. in the end, they're but 1 to 2 mm dents, 0.5mm deep.

you can worry about other things, just don't worry about this. durability of wood is a wrong word here, it's not the wood that breaks after long use like in wow or diablo unless your idea of how to use a guitar is similar to the characters starring in L4D2. you most probably needa change the oxidizing electronics, the rusting screws, the worn out frets etc more than trying to prevent your body wood from self destruction. wood is solid, but there are many harder things around that can dent it.

HAHAHA. Extremely good example!

 

[dodgethis]

Stradivarius violins, that is all.

 

[subversion]

all the dents & scratches will relic your Tele which is rather fashionable right now, yes?

 

[zekre]

okay, i get it now

*nodnod*

Will let it bump around a bit.

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Basswood is weaker than the other types of tonewoods, but it's not that weak either, so don't worry. It does dent, but so does any other wood if you hit 'em hard enough. All I gotta say is take care of your guitar, and don't worry about the wood being weak.