Does the type of wood really matter on a solid body?

[stringtheorymusic]

Having conversations with people lately who are being misinformed about wood by "experts". So I figured I would seek some unbiased help on this.

 

[rapfohl09]

Oh jeez.... :doh:


Edit: Sorry, that was just my first thought. This is pretty much THE age-old debate regarding electric guitars, that and the set/bolt/thru neck topic.

If you haven't already, start here...

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Bodies/Options/BodyWoodOptions.aspx

And by the way, you will never get an unbiased opinion on this, everyone has their own...

 

[stringtheorymusic]

I've made 10+ Warmoth builds with almost all wood types. They had wildly differing sounds/properties. I already know the answer... just need some support.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

Unbiased support?  :sign13: :toothy11:

 

[stringtheorymusic]

Still looking for some useful comments.

 

[Soylent]

From another thread, involving one of mine and two of marko's.. where the only difference is the woods. Same electronics and hardware.

Amen Brozzer!

and here they are!!

and here is another one, which sounded waaaay different (because of the bloodwood neck... I think)

 

[Wyliee]

Still looking for some useful comments.

Frankly, you're unlikely to get any.  That's not a slam against the forum membership.  Your question falls squarely in the middle of the string instrument Holy Wars.  I'm involved with the Guild of American Luthiers, which counts some of the world's greatest builders as members, and you'll find a wide range of opinions among the experts.

If you like the way the guitar sounds, it's good, regardless of what it was made from.

 

[Soylent]

Ouch. My..pride..

:laughing7:

 

[Cagey]

 

[Great Ape]

What would constitute a "useful comment"? I also have many guitars made with many different woods, and by gum, most of 'em are pretty useful!
Izzat whatcha mean?

 

[line6man]

First thing I thought of, as well.
:sad:

 

[DangerousR6]

:laughing11:

 

[DangerousR6]

Still looking for some useful comments.

Frankly, you're unlikely to get any.  That's not a slam against the forum membership.  Your question falls squarely in the middle of the string instrument Holy Wars.  I'm involved with the Guild of American Luthiers, which counts some of the world's greatest builders as members, and you'll find a wide range of opinions among the experts.

If you like the way the guitar sounds, it's good, regardless of what it was made from.

You just said it all rite there... :icon_thumright:

Nuff Said...

 

[lucky13]

What ? ....guitars sound different with different woods ? 

Holy S*@t .......Do different pickups make the guitar sound different too ?

What about different frets or different finishes.......Jeez......What about different picking and fretting techniques...

Oh my God......now Im definantly confused.  :-\ :laughing7:

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I think it is more appropriate to say that there are trends with wood variety and the sounds.  However, there is no real way to make standards that we can agree on to use to rate these things.  The point I do like to make is, if you like one type of wood, or finish, thus the more you like your instrument, the better it will sound when you play it.  The traditional woods were chosen largely for cost and availability, and then they made sure they didn't sound terrible and wouldn't sell.  Sort of.  So yes, it does really matter, but mostly to you.
Patrick

 

[jackthehack]

Leaving semi-hollow/chambered bodies out of the mix, and speaking solely of the traditional solid body guitar, wood species itself makes absolutely no difference, per se. What CAN make a difference is the density of the wood, that being that the less dense the wood the more resonant the body can be, regardless of species.

 

[lucky13]

Leaving semi-hollow/chambered bodies out of the mix, and speaking solely of the traditional solid body guitar, wood species itself makes absolutely no difference, per se. What CAN make a difference is the density of the wood, that being that the less dense the wood the more resonant the body can be, regardless of species.

Now there is some Truth, it dosnt get any more "on" than that.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I agree and disagree.  If it is dense and soft vs the same density and hard, it will make a difference in the sonic absorbing properties/resonant properties.  However, this is the exact sort of argument that makes all of this into a he who can speak loudest type of discussion in most cases.  The number of variables is large and their impact is inequivalent.
Patrick

 

[DangerousR6]

Leaving semi-hollow/chambered bodies out of the mix, and speaking solely of the traditional solid body guitar, wood species itself makes absolutely no difference, per se. What CAN make a difference is the density of the wood, that being that the less dense the wood the more resonant the body can be, regardless of species.

I think this is so true, I have 2 Jackson Dinky's with exact same pups and wiring, same necks. One is basswood and one is swamp ash, and I must say the basswood one has a much better vibe. Better sustain, better tone and just an all around "in your face" guitar. The swamp ash is much more subdued, better suited for no mids and drop tunings...

 

[sully]

If there is no definitive answer, then how does one really figure out what they might want to order? I have played a mahogany acoustic which was very muddy and dirty and then bought a spruce top which is very bright comparatively. I played a cedar top Art&Luther that was very much in-between the other two.

If I am looking to choose a body, do I discard the "tone meter" that warmoth displays? How exactly is a beginner, who hasn't played every type of guitar they might want, and cannot play the guitar they want built, know which wood to pick for the low/med/high tones they might imagine they want?

I understand the argument and why it is nigh on impossible to definitively answer, but isn't there some generalities that hold true?