Suhr's description of tone woods

[SustainerPlayer]

http://www.suhr.com/#!tone-woods/c1o9o

For your information, comparison and general discussion. 

 

[bluespoet]

For me it is a waste of time for electric guitars, in my mind and in the mind of most experts the wood used has very little effect on the final outcome of the guitar sound, where as the amp and the speaker have a huge effect, technique has a huge effect, wood type negligible effect, esp since you cannot predict where in the tree it was taken from which makes just about every piece from the same tree different. Craftsmanship has a big effect. However the best use for a list of tone woods by Suhr and other manufacturers is for primary purpose of appearance and a secondary purpose of selling you the goods.

 

[Marco78]

For me it is a waste of time for electric guitars, in my mind and in the mind of most experts the wood used has very little effect on the final outcome of the guitar sound, where as the amp and the speaker have a huge effect, technique has a huge effect, wood type negligible effect, esp since you cannot predict where in the tree it was taken from which makes just about every piece from the same tree different. Craftsmanship has a big effect. However the best use for a list of tone woods by Suhr and other manufacturers is for primary purpose of appearance and a secondary purpose of selling you the goods.

If you have this conviction, why do you attent to this discussion on wood???

Les Paul and SG isn't play in the same way, though use the same electronic/hardware. Rosewood telecaster don't have the same tone of classic telecaster, with same pickups and hardware.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

And off we go.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Biggest tone factors in this order:
-color of guitar finish
-material of insulator between tip and ring on cable
-guitar wiring color
-hair length of player
-dominant right eye
-strap button material

 

[Jumble Jumble]

You missed:

- DC resistance of player's belt buckle
- weight of lumberjack who cut down body wood tree
- volume knob diameter
- amp salesman's favourite soda

 

[Great Ape]

Guys, guys! You neglected to point out the effect that a leather vs cloth strap has on tone & especially sustain...Yep!

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

You missed:

- DC resistance of player's belt buckle
- weight of lumberjack who cut down body wood tree
- volume knob diameter
- amp salesman's favourite soda

"Pomade", or "Dapper Dan"?

 

[m4rk0]

Biggest tone factors in this order:
-color of guitar finish
-material of insulator between tip and ring on cable
-guitar wiring color
-hair length of player
-dominant right eye
-strap button material

the main thing obviously is the fatness of the player... big beerbellies will act as an extension of the guitar and add a lot more sustain. some say it dampens the sustain, but these people are skinny and don't know what they are talking about!

 

[greywolf]

While there are subtle differences , for solidbodies it is not significant.  For semi-hollow or hollowbodies , then the difference is more evident

 

[JaySwear]

Biggest tone factors in this order:
-color of guitar finish
-material of insulator between tip and ring on cable
-guitar wiring color
-hair length of player
-dominant right eye
-strap button material

the main thing obviously is the fatness of the player... big beerbellies will act as an extension of the guitar and add a lot more sustain. some say it dampens the sustain, but these people are skinny and don't know what they are talking about!

I once saw a rather large guitar playing wearing steel toed boots. The feedback was out of control, despite his blue shirt. I really felt bad for the guy.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

Of course, in the absence of a blue shirt he could have simply had pasta for dinner the night before - simple stuff really.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

the main thing obviously is the fatness of the player... big beerbellies will act as an extension of the guitar and add a lot more sustain. some say it dampens the sustain, but these people are skinny and don't know what they are talking about!

My sustain goes up and down ... mostly up.  :icon_biggrin:

This is a cheat for skinny people.

 

[dano8180]

Biggest tone factors in this order:
-color of guitar finish
-material of insulator between tip and ring on cable
-guitar wiring color
-hair length of player
-dominant right eye
-strap button material

I thought the first factor was whether or not the pickguard was installed.... :icon_thumright:

 

[clearerphish]

I want to print this thread and wear it like a hat.

:rock-on:

 

[Patrick from Davis]

People always overlook the fact that black hardware absorbs tone, while chrome and gold reflect it.  This might be the single most important detail to consider.  We just have to remind ourselves of the fundamentals.
Patrick

 

[Jeremiah]

Don't forget to wipe the dust off your guitar for the best clean tones.

And remember, a white guitar can't play the blues.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Biggest tone factors in this order:
-color of guitar finish
-material of insulator between tip and ring on cable
-guitar wiring color
-hair length of player
-dominant right eye
-strap button material

I thought the first factor was whether or not the pickguard was installed.... :icon_thumright:

With titanium screws, or better yet, adamantium, not that nickel-steel crap, lol :laughing8:

 

[Dan025]

People always overlook the fact that black hardware absorbs tone, while chrome and gold reflect it.  This might be the single most important detail to consider.  We just have to remind ourselves of the fundamentals.
Patrick

true but black hardware is only guaranteed to absorb tone on the audible spectrum. what happens on the super sonic and sub sonic frequencies still needs more testing, it my depend on the brand of paint in thta case... don't want inaudible hamonics causing cancellations and killing your sustain do we?.  and what about black chrome? is that like a bandpass filter for tone?

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

This has been a fun hijack, but I think we can all agree woods make a difference.  The disagreement comes as to how much of a difference.  It is one of an infinite number variables and can be dwarfed by bigger variables.

Suhr's link isn't Android friendly, but I don't need to see it to know a Basswood body with Maple cap is his Holy Grail.  He's got the skins on the wall to back it up.  My beef with basswood has never been the sound, just it's durability being that of a spiral notebook.

It might be worth considering too, his guitars are tonehead and technique magnets.  That is, good players seek them out.  How many seasoned players have we all met that have never even heard of a Suhr or Tom Anderson guitar?  Not exactly household names in some circles.