"Good" swamp ash grain? (pics inside)

[Whitestrat]

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!

I read you. I've also heard these claims.

But my friend and I have built 2 almost identical guitars, one being Swamp Ash, 1 being Alder, both lighter than 4lbs weight bodies, both 1 piece qtr sawn maple necks. Same pickups.

They sound the same, as far as I can tell. :lol:

 

[deathism]

under driven settings?? intense distortion of some sort?

 

[Whitestrat]

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.

If that's the case, then wouldn't Fender use Swamp Ash for all their MIM guitars rather than Alder?

Swamp Ash is resernved only for particular lines. Even Rock Inn in Tokyo have their limited edition J Custom made in Swamp Ash, with white blonde finish.

 

[Radius_Vector]

Guys, what kind of ash wood is this guitar? It just says "ash" body in the specs.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=98636&sku=510471

Its a MIM strat, and its not alder!

 

[Whitestrat]

Radius Vector: There are many kinds of Ash. Not all ash is light. There light ash (which is some times known as swamp ash), and there's north american ash, which is heavier. The lightness from swamp ash comes from extra large veins in the tree because of the abundance of water in the swamps.

And you'll find this MIM Ash strat to be more expensive than the alder ones.

deathism:

under driven settings?? intense distortion of some sort?

I assume you're talking to me... heh. Same through out. Not much diff. Not enough to warrant specific requests for ash at the additional cost. not unless you're Eric Johnson, and can hear the difference between batteries.

 

[L3stat]

Whitestrat: Hell I dunno man, maybe Fender's trying to give consumers a better product at the expense of their margins! Yeah right.... :roll: :lol:

To me, swamp ash > alder for now! I'm just glad the PRS is a swamp ash special and not an alder special. :lol:

 

[deathism]

whtiestrat: yeah..i was talking to you..ahaha.

 

[Whitestrat]

L3Stat:

To me, swamp ash > alder for now! I'm just glad the PRS is a swamp ash special and not an alder special.

Personally, I like looking at "boutique" looking guitars. But at the end of the day, I'd prefer a workhorse. Swamp Ash is nice, but so far, I've found it unnecessary. I don't think it's worth the extra cost. It's like saying there's a difference between rosewood and maple fretboards in the way they sound.[/quote]

 

[L3stat]

Ah, well but that's not a choice I can make. PRS really has no alder special, only swamp ash.

 

[Radius_Vector]

Well technically, maple is supposed to sound brighter than rosewood We all know that, but maybe It takes a lot to discern the differences.

 

[L3stat]

Neck I would agree, but Whitestrat was talking about fretboards. Fretboards I have no idea...

 

[Radius_Vector]

Technically, fretboards too. but yeah the difference is so minute, atleast to my ears!

 

[Ripper]

Hey L3stat bro,

I dont know how peep grade swamp ash. I dont think they grade them like maple tops with gradation like AAA or AAAAA. But I know they all look great just like all those full solid body guitar (without figured tops) such as mahogany or koa with their natural grains! Have a look at mine here:

[/URL][/img]

Just grab the one that appeals to you most!

 

[Whitestrat]

Well technically, maple is supposed to sound brighter than rosewood We all know that, but maybe It takes a lot to discern the differences.

That's what I used to think. Until I found a RW board that's brighter than my maples... whahaha...

 

[edder]

hur hur hur.... is your rosewood, "rosewood" or pau ferro?

discussions about wood makes me cringe. regurtitating personal opinions of others till the extent of becoming a fact and own experience.

"who and who sez this, so they must be right but did you try what who and who said and then form your own unbias opinion?"

Put em woods under a layer of solid paint and I bet most can't even tell what went in there.

 

[Whitestrat]

hur hur hur.... is your rosewood, "rosewood" or pau ferro?

Ask Fender. It's an American Vintage 62 reissue. I wish they gave me pau ferro... but no, it's RW for sure... have a look here:

Does that look like Pau Ferro to you?

 

[theblueark]

If anyone can tell from that pic he must love hanging outside female changing rooms

 

[Whitestrat]

WHAHAHAHA... um... I don't get it...

 

[L3stat]

Hey fellas, while this wood topic is still alive, just like to ask one more. 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?

 

[edder]

i dunno. if i tell you i know, I'M LYING.

I just like the looks and the feel of maple fretboards. Took me a while to know that but some of my favourite guitars have rosewood.

Its all about the looks to me.