"Good" swamp ash grain? (pics inside)

[Whitestrat]

Is there a discernible difference between a rosewood and maple fretboard, on a maple neck? Is the neck a bigger factor in the tone than the fretboard, such that the fretboard effect is negligible?

Honestly, I've never been able to tell the difference. I only know they FEEL different to play. Some people claim there's a big difference between a quartersawn neck and a flat sawn neck. I can't tell either. I just like to look at quartersawns... heh.

BUT, today, trying a PGM (maple) and a JS (RW) comparing the same Paf Pro pup in the same position, same amp, same settings, the PGM with maple sounded spankier and clearer. But then again, scale length, neck mass and body mass play a part as well.

So I don't really think it's that much of a difference.

 

[subversion]

-> Ripper: I dont know how peep grade swamp ash. I dont think they grade them like maple tops with gradation

ash wood escapes gradation simply because they aren't manifesting a flame grade. chances are, ash would look very appealing should they be flawless look-wise. i'm not one who judges a guitar excessively by virtue of its looks but the ash Strat i own here looks very pleasant for sure 8)

-> L3stat: Is there a discernible difference between a rosewood and maple fretboard, on a maple neck?

tone purists would lobby for a marked difference between guitars sporting these fretboard wood but if one EQ one's tone excessively & lets one's signals pass through countless pre-amps, the difference here would not be manifested enough to convert the uninitiated.

on a personal note, after a close headphone scrutiny, the difference in tone (if apparent at all) is more exclusive for the neck pickup as oppossed to others in the guitar.

 

[L3stat]

Okay guys, thanks for the feedback. I've only had rosewood fretboards (mahogany necks) before. Can't even remember the CE24 I had a long time ago.

So far, sorry to quote references, the idea I'm getting is that maple sounds brighter. It also "pops", faster attack and decay than rosewood. Depending on how one likes it, it's good or bad. Another thing on my mind is how maintenance friendly it is. Maple seems easier to maintain, naptha it every now and then. But (this is individual pref), I've seen worn maple fretboards, where the finish comes off, and it looks pretty bad IMHO. And maple necks would be harder to refret too.

Another noob question: asked in the scale length thread but didn't get a clear answer, does scale length affect the tone? I kinda guess it does in terms of the amount and types of harmonics you get (dunno the exact science), but I think the guitar manufacturer would compensate that with placement of the pickups?

Sorry if I sound confused, but I am. Okay, but I guess factoring in the choice of guitar, and the tones I'm after, it's more maple than rosewood. I wanna get a nice single coil tone without getting a strat. :lol:

 

[edder]

i love the look of a well worn maple fretboard...

there are people who pay hundreds or thousands just to get that look.... :wink: :lol:

 

[L3stat]

Okay, after years of playing and wear and tear, the value of the guitar goes up. Works for me! :lol:

 

[subversion]

depends on the guitar brand, yes?

 

[KayCee]

Edder,

It's not all that subjective. Remember my blog post? I'll use that as a reference point for my premises. Most of the time it's about possessing or ultimately learning to hear things in a particular way. Everyone hears differently and some formulate 'wrong' opinions about it. It's like buying a super sweet sounding guitar only to realise that it cannot 'cut thru' on stage.

If you're like me, you deal get to try thousands of guitars a year, its hard to go wrong when picking an instrument. If was all that subjective, can good builders consistently build great instruments? They have a way of selecting wood and have their own formulas for creating the desired end result. And it's from years of playing and building that gives them that 'magical' set of ears.

If science comes into play, then the testing has to be very rigid. Want to compare maple necks with maple + rosewood board, the same backing wood must be used. Even then thinning down the maple backing to accommodate the rosewood will already alter the freq response. There are just too many variables which cannot be controlled effectively. People who insist in testing this way are hard core engineers who probably don't make music. I say, learn to hear is better. its a combination of art and science.

I have to say this though, I tried Edder's latest OD pedal with a tongue twisting name. It's a great pedal, boutique in feel and appearance and most importantly a fabulous sound at 1/2 the price of all those overhyped stuff out there. Transparent, with just enough bite. Chords ring out with such clarity it's almost eerie. Is this subjective? I think not. Edder like I said has learnt how to 'hear'. Engineering is only part of the equation. I don't usually promote other ppl's stuff but please do yourself a favour if you want
a supremely transparent overdrive with just enough gain.

KC

 

[NanoShred]

These days, all threads all turn into discussion of the Edder OD. (i dunno how to spell) I sense a conspiracy. :wink:

 

[subversion]

-> KayCee: I say, learn to hear is better. its a combination of art and science.

we would propagate this learning disposition to others but time & again, judgment is clouded by sentiments & branding power... :smt011

 

[L3stat]

Sub: Loosen up please!

 

[subversion]

i have never been up-tight about anything here- maybe the emoticons are at work...?

 

[L3stat]

LOL. I'm a noob, but not entirely clueless, ref the worn fretboard I mean.

 

[subversion]

i see... we sometimes reply with a rather impersonal entry here but it's more enlightenment than lashing out at others.

 

[L3stat]

Roger that, all with good intentions.

Back on the grain topic, I'm liking that cherry red the more I look at it!

 

[Benster]

1 pc super light swamp ash..

 

[Ripper]

^Nice one Ben. Thin nitro finish let you feel the whole body trembling with very note you hit, isnt it? 8)

 

[edder]

kaycee,

yeah i agree with you, of course... i'd agree with anyone who likes my pedals!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

haha, please, i'm not undermining the skills of luthiers and such BUT as it is so variable and personal only those who knows THAT sound will know. But a good sound is a good sound like how a good char kway teow is... they're all different but when they're good, they're good!

the target audience i'm hitting at is that those who are likely to read warmoth's wood description and regurtitate it like answering a history exam paper. like macam claiming to experience the Hock Lee bus riot first hand. or may 13 if they're malaysians. :wink:

anyway can I quote you on my website? pretty please? :lol:

nanoshred, yes its all a conspiracy! I have evil and elaborate plans of world domination. :twisted:

 

[KayCee]

Nano: Conspiracy? No conspiracy needed. Although Edder has put a pedal at my place on consignment, I will much prefer to sell a Maestro due to the bigger margin and ease of selling. Imagine an XXX person trying Edder's pedal and playing some exotic 12 bar blues out of which 6 bars are in 7/8. He then starts yapping about how good this XXX pedal is or that XXX pedal is. You get the picture, a complete moron who is a waste of time.

There's little incentive for me to recommend his pedal. Edder is my friend but if he produces something which I think it's not right, I'll just tell him. I haven't heard his prototypes, but obviously he has put in some serious thought in his latest effort and that deserves some credit (and monetary return)

Nano, you've put effort into your playing as well and it shows. It's the same for everything. Unless I start to hijack every single 'OD' thread, then that's conspiracy.

Edder: There are certain prerequisites to a good char kway teow, just like there are certain prerequisites to a certain good overdrive pedal. If you don't like char kway teow, use a distortion pedal. If not just ask the uncle to add more artery clogging lard. How about Lard Box as a pedal name? I'm sure it'll sound real greasy.

Sure, take it as a testimonial from me. I always support good products, regardless of where its from.

KC

 

[Benster]

^Nice one Ben. Thin nitro finish let you feel the whole body trembling with very note you hit, isnt it?

spot on, mate 8)

its the most resonant strat i ever played.

 

[Whitestrat]

Another noob question: asked in the scale length thread but didn't get a clear answer, does scale length affect the tone? I kinda guess it does in terms of the amount and types of harmonics you get (dunno the exact science), but I think the guitar manufacturer would compensate that with placement of the pickups?

L3stat: I believe it does to a certain extent. We're still talking about overall wood mass here. My 27" scale baritone 7 string sounds very different from my EBMM JP6 now even though both have very similar pickups. Resultant tone on low strgins is very different, though the thinner strings differ slightly.

AND, I think the Les Paul tone is partly due to the scale length, amongst other things.