Warmoth 'paul wood choice

[MrValentine]

Im looking to build a Les paul from Warmoth and was wondering what kind of wood you guys think would work best.
Im looking for the following:
-Light
-Good tone for metal, blues and occasional jazz
-Something that wont give me the real deals sound

Oh it will have a flame maple top if that helps.

 

[DangerousR6]

Chambered black korina...I stress heavily on the chambered, cause BK is usually heavy... :icon_thumright:

 

[Tipperman]

Unchambered back breaking Black Korina! Wenge neck is recommended by me, great feel. Ebony fretboard is pretty slick too.

 

[MrValentine]

hmmmmmmmmm  :icon_scratch: what about alder or swamp ash with flame maple top? im lookin for a different sound

 

[kboman]

-Good tone for metal, blues and occasional jazz

For this part, I'd say pickup choice becomes crucial, more so than wood choice. Do you know a specific combination that works?

 

[MrValentine]

I dont have specific PU's in mind but would like to use dimarzios if possible...coil split is an option.

 

[kboman]

I'll let the more experienced guys take over from here, and it's very much down to what kind of metal/blues/jazz you're after, but for example the JB/Jazz combo is a tried and true high output rock pickup/low output "smooth" pickup set. I'm sure DiMarzio has something corresponding!

 

[MrValentine]

Chambered basswood - any optional top wood besides mahogany.

How does basswood with flame maple top sound? According to Suhr its the "holy grail".

Also does anyone have a good neck pickup to go with a Dimarzio super distortion?

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Mahogany back, carved maple top, mahogany neck, ebony board, EMG 81/85, ROCK ON!!!

 

[MrValentine]

Sounds like basswood with maple is the way to go :headbang1: i want the les paul look but a "shred"/80's thrash sound. What neck wood would go with this? Im thinking canary with pau ferro? And any ideas on pickups? Really likin the Dimarzio super distortion arty07:

 

[bagman67]

Sounds like basswood with maple is the way to go :headbang1: i want the les paul look but a "shred"/80's thrash sound. What neck wood would go with this? Im thinking canary with pau ferro? And any ideas on pickups? Really likin the Dimarzio super distortion arty07:

Many of the '80's Charvels favored by shredders were basswood bodies with all-maple or maple/rosewood necks.  Folks on this board frequently suggest canary sounds a lot like maple.

Have fun!

Bagman

 

[MrValentine]

So the maple top will add definition or a "boost" to highs? And should i go direct mount or not? Does it affect tone?

 

[bagman67]

You'll get varying opinions.  As another respondent has noted, on a solid-bodied guitar, your pickups and amp/effects will have a helluva lot more to do with your tone than your lumber will.  That said, many believe that yes, maple will add something to the high end.

Personally I think direct mount vs. bezel-mounted pickups is a visual aesthetic choice, not a sonic one.  On a carved-top LP body, there may be issues with orienting the pickups correctly with respect to the strings if you direct mount - but that's just me speculating.

Bagman

 

[MrValentine]

Alright thanks man youve been super helpful