"Good" swamp ash grain? (pics inside)

[L3stat]

Hey fellas, swamp ash is a "new" wood to me. I know looks are subjective, but how do people usually "grade" swamp ash? What makes good grain on swamp ash? I'm pasting some pics here taken from websites, lemme know what you think please!

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

IMHO, #5 looks the best, really tight and symmetrical grain. But then again that's just me.[/b]

 

[deathism]

me rikes #6!

 

[edder]

this is a good grain. :lol:

 

[deathism]

dodginess...



51 ftw heh edder...


the body is reeking of mojo.

 

[symym]

I like 6 too!!!
Unique...

 

[deathism]

the grain on number 6 reminds me of snake skin..


snake skin top. :lol:

 

[chimaera]

Swamp ash has a unque grain pattern to it, I have an SAS which is basically wat the 6 guitars u put up there with a bookmatched 2 piece body, #6 and #3 have a 1 piece swamp ash body which is rare then the 2 pieces so I would go for those if you like the grain. Personally i like no 6 as its pretty unique though the birds and I think flame maple neck and the 1 piece body would increase the price.

 

[L3stat]

Yeah the flamed neck on #6 is really tempting. But tobacco burst seems to be the only right colour for guitar of choice! Decisions decisions...

 

[chimaera]

Since the 335 neck feels a bit strange to you do try the PRS wide fat carve before you buy as SAS comes in wide fat. I think your buying new so my guess its gonna be ard 4K sgd for a fully loaded SAS

 

[subversion]

i believe this discussion concerns granular pattern instead of the wood quality per se?

manufacturers select appealing granular pattern (regardless of the wood type) to showcase their guitars' body top. this is usually finished in a transparent coating to promote visibility. the more regular/ appealing patterns are given a grade, for instance, Gibson's flame maple top are given the 'A' gradations so a AAA grade is more revered than a AA version.

 

[Whitestrat]

Personally, I'd prefer No.3 and No.5, simply because they look like they're 1 piece bodies. Swamp ash isn't something you'd look for to do bookmatched tops. The grain isn't that pretty, and there's no figure.

 

[edder]

bookmatched swamp ash alotta times reminds me of an Austin Powers character, Alotta Fagina. :lol: :wink:

 

[L3stat]

chimaera: Yeah I'm reading you on that one, would need your help. :lol:

subversion: I agree, PRS probably feels the same about their swamp ash offerings. IIRC, apart from black (and older whites), all the finish offerings come in clear.

whitestrat: #6 is probably solid too. If Fenders come in 2/3pc bodies, non-1 piece can't be that bad?

edder: DUH! Like how?!

 

[edder]

Stare at it long enough and you'll see the light! :lol:

 

[L3stat]

:lol: :lol: Applies to a lot of other things too I guess. :lol:

 

[Whitestrat]

#6 is probably solid too. If Fenders come in 2/3pc bodies, non-1 piece can't be that bad?

But then, if you don't get swamp ash in 1 piece, then what's the point of getting ash in the first place? Its not that tonally different from Alder, which is cheaper, and it comes in 2 or 3 pieces.

You want to SEE the grain on Ash, hence the 1 piece makes sense. And, the colour is a subjective thing. For me, Ash must be natural. Simply because you want to see the grain. Not for anything else. Colour on Ash to me is corruption. heh.

Besides, Fender generally does Ash on either natural, sunburst, or white blonde. The grain is visible. The other colours are opaque, so it doesn't matter how many pieces.

 

[L3stat]

Sodes. I thought swamp ash was the cheaper alternative to alder because it's more abundant. Didn't know it's the other way round. But I get it that all else equal, 1 piece is better for resonance.

Okay, question still stands, we all wanna see grain, but what grain is good grain? Argh, can't decide!

 

[relinquish69]

I thought the most important factor in swamp ash is the weight? its supposed to be one of the lighter woods around. I'm not talking about hard ash here although I must say those 70's strats with hard ash look nice .

 

[edder]

They SAY, I HEARD, I READ that swamp ash macam scoop mids like that... more lows more highs less mids.... gootch for bassers and baritoners... thats why I choose that wood.... they say, i heard, i read hor!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[deathism]

alotta fagina..


edder..u ish people of unsavoury character!