What adds to the tone of the guitar?

[sgt4leaf]

I know that the type/ quality of pickups matter, but what about the material of wood used, and the shape. How do these and other factors affect the tone of the electric guitar?

 

[carboxymoron]

http://www.soundunlimited.co.uk/articles/guitar_tone_woods
http://www.jemsite.com/jem/wood.htm
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/options/bodywoodoptions.aspx

 

[zesn]

Your fingers matter the most.

 

[Nicholasim]

From what i have learnt from a workshop by Maestro, literally EVERYTHING contributes to your tone and i mean EVERYTHING. The strings, the machine heads, the nut, the wood, the pickups, the bridge etc.

Certain things like the machine head material contributes/decreases sustain. Even how you coil your strings around the tuning posts affects tone. It affects how much the tension is which gives a different tone.

However to me, I can really care less on all these. Like that zesn mentioned, how to play is the most important. Take Mr. Beez for example. He can take a $300 guitar and make it sound really good with a really simple setup (guitar -> amp).

 

[relinquish69]

sound good yes. to look for a certain sound, not easy.

I believe that good quality wood is the most important aspect in the whole tone equation. It makes the biggest difference after all. why does a Gibson Les Paul Standard sound so different from an R9? Both are Les Pauls. Both use Mahogany. Even with the same pickups, there is definitely a audible difference. After going through so many guitars, this is what I believe.

 

[funky-one]

Your fingers matter the most.

Couldn't agree more! The player matters most

 

[subversion]

fingers are nothing without gear. symbiosis- fingers + instrument.

 

[Godsmen]

Mmm........ Imo its all abt the body wood. Quality and type.