Best overall body/neck wood?

[migetkotla]

If you were to leave out aesthetics and/or weight preferences, what would you consider the most musical and solid sounding wood choice for either/both the guitar bodies and necks?

Thanks!

 

[Surf n Music n Ski n Bike]

Since this is what I am building I am going to say Alder body (one piece) and a roasted maple neck with an ebony fretboard. But I might be biased  :laughing7:

 

[Strat Avenger]

The wood species has very little effect on the "tone" of an electric guitar. Acoustic guitars are a different story.

A heavy, dense wood typically produces more "sustain" (which is not the same as "tone") than a softer, lighter-weight species.

Your pickups and bridge will affect the tone more than anything.

 

[migetkotla]

Have heard the same for Alder, although very interested if roasted necks create an audible difference.

Aside from Ebony, I always go for full maple necks.  Are flame, birdeye, quarter sewn maple, pretty much the same sound when used in a guitar body and/or neck?    I usually select flame maple and would like to know if anyone has an opinion there is a real difference in sound?

 

[slashin_velvet]

If you were to leave out aesthetics and/or weight preferences, what would you consider the most musical and solid sounding wood choice for either/both the guitar bodies and necks?

Thanks!

Aesthetics is the only reason i choose a particular wood in the first place

 

[line6man]

The question is absolutely meaningless, because of the extreme degree of subjectivity. Everyone has a different preference, and there is no "best." It's like asking what the best genre of music is. What kind of answer could be given that would be useful in any context?

 

[migetkotla]

Classic Rock and R&B between about '65 through 1980ish?  :guitarplayer2:
Point well taken - although opinions still very welcomed.  Never a right or wrong answer.
Thanks again!

 

[The Hun]

Weight and looks are at the top of the list of my considerations and I can't imagine selecting a "perfect" wood neglecting those two.

That being said, I really like Pau Ferro even though it is a bit on the heavy side.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

My two (out of ten options) best and most used Warmoth guitars: Basswood body, Goncalo Alvez neck and Pau Ferro fingerboard.

But I think it's only because of luck, coincidence and the voices inside my head. Not necessarily in that order.  :icon_biggrin:

 

[stratamania]

There isn't a definitive answer as its all subjective and down to taste.

Classic rock and R & B has been recorded with Teles, Strats, LPs, SGs, etc and with mahogany, ash, alder, rosewood, ebony, maple being the most common. Then what about the 335 and Byrdlands, Gretsches and so on.

Then add a combination of mics, speakers, recording consoles and effects.

 

[croquet hoop]

The most musical wood for an instrument is the one that makes you want to play it tirelessly.

 

[Strat Avenger]

The most musical wood for an instrument is the one that makes you want to play it tirelessly.

I agree.
Get the wood that looks the most attractive to you within your budget. Then, get the pickups & bridge that produce the tone you like. Plug it into an amp that sounds the way you like. Don't rely on wood type when it comes to the tone of electric guitars. Save that for acoustic guitars.