I just discovered your channel and it's one of those internet gems, thanks for all this! I have a Godin session custom made of basswood body / hard maple neck / maple fingerboard and I could play it for hours without even notice that I still have the guitar in my hands as it's very lightweight. This is confortable and I often end up watching tv with the guitar still on my legs, then play again.
Another thing with Basswood. Very many signature guitars are made of Basswood. Here it's obvious that the artists could have chosen whatever wood in the world, and still - Basswood. A few: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, John Petrucci...
I agree that the bass wood is a good wood to work with. I own several guitars that have bass wood body. Now I don't get guitar shoulder and neck pain nearly as much. Glad you stepped up!!!!! Keep it up!!!!
I like working with it. It's soft, easy on the tools. It takes a solid finish very easily. It's soft and dents easily, tremolo studs can pull forward, I use a maple dowel to strengthen the area. It's lightweight too. Ibanez uses a lot of it. Poplar is nice to work with too..
I used to think and say tone come only from pickups. Then I was finally able to afford decent guitars and found that is just something poor guitar players say.
@@IndyRockStar i play basswood poplar alder ash, nyatoh and mAhogany and indeed their wood sound different but ones in plug the difference becomes to imperceptible , I think the wood you use only matters for recording in a studio with a really good quality to catch that good wood resonance, otherwise for learning, jamming and for gig’s it’s doesn’t matter at all, actully it’s more crucial your amp their speakers, your pickups and the PA system you are using about tone, oh! And the pedals or raks of course
@@IndyRockStar TBH, it sounds like you got pulled by marketing. You're right in that good instruments should absolutely sound and play better out of the box than the cheapest things out there. They should look better, feel better in your hand, you name it. That money goes somewhere and it's fine to enjoy the results. That said, let's not pretend that a cheap axe can't be done up to sound and play amazing by a skilled tech or luthier, some just take more money than they're worth and that won't fix a gross neck shape or cheap body finish. In an apples to apples comparison the differences in woods are subjective or otherwise so minute that there's more how the guy winding the pickups felt than the wood species itself.
Thank you for this video & info on basswood. I have a Squire Bullet ... only because I needed a "pacifier" for the real thing. It looks great .. love the 2 color over the 3. Neck is great .... for a two year old. I played the Player Tele and didn't want to put it down. That, or preferably the Performer, is my dream Tele. But, I have thought of putting a Player neck on this Basswood body Bullet. And you are helping me decide on that. I had wanted to get a Swamp ash body, but after watching your video, I think that is not needed. Thanks again
I am pretty new to working with wood but have gotten bit by the bug bad in the last year and a half, just finished my 63rd canjo and they have come along way from the one you received.( better and more tools help) I am going to build a uke next , its time to move up a bit. The one thing I have enjoyed learning is how different woods saw and sand and work and take a finish, I find myself looking at the sawdust and chips , feeling the weight of the wood and comparing the time and energy it takes to the finished product. This video has shown me I need a digital scale :-) thanks Scott.
You rock my friend. I still play the Canjo that you built for me a few times a week. That is such a fun instrument. It's always the highlight of the tour of my music room when folks come over. Everybody gets the biggest kick out of that thing, and of course....I always have to play it for them I'm as happy as a clam with it my man! Wishing you the happiest of holidays! Keep me posted on your builds!
Scott, i think people think that if the guitar is heavy its better quality. And guitar companies use that to charge more. I love the fact that you tell the truth. Keep it up.
My Duglas Halo Explorer style is basswood. My Johnson jt 50 Mirage under 200 dollars is great. Thanks for the videos. Scott. I glad I have the same brand of ampilifer as you Scott.
Basswood is a great wood. I've had SG's that were lighter though and were mahogany. You just have to pickup the guitar. My Charvel from Japan around 91 with basswood is a great guitar, but it's just a good one. A predator with a Hum in the bridge and single coil in the neck, and a real schaller floyd that stays in tune and intonates well! Thanks again for the good stuff! Great video man. Great info. People are so hard headed about this stuff, it's fucking amazing.
When I read about people putting down one wood or another I’m reminded of the fact that Charlie Parker played a number of gigs and did several records using a plastic, toy saxophone from Woolworth’s. He frequently pawned his real sax’s for drug or booze money. In the right hands, you can make music with anything. I have a basswood guitar ( by Godin) that sounds gorgeous. It’s painted so I have no idea about grain.
Those affinity p basses are pretty light and made of basswood. I took the black finish off and am going to shellac and clear coat it for giggles. Got it for $95.°° I did get better hardware for it though.
Could it be different bridges different pickups different tuners different knobs different neck wood different strap buttons hell maybe different colour?
Mr Kody Those play a factor, but I've weighed just the bodies alone, and with the same exact routing and everything, bodies by themselves are about 2 pounds different. One is them is a few years older than the other, so maybe that plays a role. Either way I love both guitars.
***** I ran out of time, ill im saying is i find it surprising the same model of guitar will have a two pound difference. Sorry if it says that in the video but i found that odd
Scott Basswood is a great wood for guitars. I just got back into playing this past year and love the full rich sound of my Fender I bought (made of Basswood). So far EVERYTHING you've said is true on your utube posts. I use the Elixer strings that you said were so good. I also went out and bought a PRS single cut guitar and love it. Thanks for ALL the good advice Keep it us. Scott
Agree with you. My main axe is an Ibanez Jet King 1. Sweetest sounding and playing guitar I ever played all stock. Hella versatile and whadoya know its basswood.
My pleasure my friend. People try to make things so difficult. Guitars should be VERY easy to "get", but everybody wants to have brand name wars on each and every part, every grain of wood or plastic, if the wires are covered in plastic or cloth. Most people forget to simply try to learn to play the damned things and get together with other people and actually get along and play some music because it's fun. People these days would rather gripe than play. I know, I do pretty much the same thing, but the only difference is.....I just try to get them to realize that it's just wood and wires and that's about as deep as it gets.....plug it in, turn it up, smile and enjoy life. lol Cheers!
Thank you David! VERY APPRECIATED! I hope some of the stuff is usable for you. I always appreciate a nice letter my friend! All my best to you and yours! Scott
way back in my younger years I remember a music store that would talk smack about basswood guitars, I had one and they ALMOST convinced me to trade it in for one of their more expensive guitars as a down payment.. but they forgot one thing, I don't have money... lol and I do seem to recall them calling it basswood like a bass guitar.. so... keep up the great vids man..
Good to see basswood getting some love. Great wood for building bodies. Like you said, it takes paint well but it also takes glue very well which is why my current bass build is a basswood body with a mesquite top and a mesquite neck and fingerboard. Why mesquite? For its superior tonal qualities. and by tonal qualities, I mean you aren't going to scream and cry like a girl when you bang the top of the guitar on an amp or stand or beer glass at your gig because mesquite is hard and it takes some doing to damage it. Give it a whack, it ain't gonna break. Find some nicely figured pieces and you've got a really pretty top. Makes for fewer warranty repairs. Stable too so it's great for necks and harder than some of the lower end rosewoods coming out of Latin American farms lately. Build your guitars to last and be easy to service and you'll always have a great instrument when you need it.
I'm getting a custom made guitar and was wondering if there is any wood that is far lighter than others? It's going to be a 24 fret hollowbody WITHOUT f holes, a custom made lock in tremolo system etc.
SwedishGuitarNerd Depends what part of the tree you get. Yes, Swamp Ash towards the top of the tree is much denser per volume than the wood at the bottom of the tree. This often gets overlooked and is true of most woods. Furthermore, outside of the tree is more porous than the center which is more dense, so lower half, outer wood is the lightest there is.
SwedishGuitarNerd Can be. I've got a 7lb one piece swamp ash body on my home made strat, though. Just because I like pretty, unfinished wood on my strats.
So, I've got a guitar with a solid basswood body. I got it for free. Now, if I want to upgrade my guitar, what's the best pickups? I am looking at what the basswood puts out. So, I was reading that the basswood like the mid tones. For me, I want something that picks up the low notes well and also the high end. I guess I am trying to get the best out of the guitar, knowing what the typical sounds upgraded pickups give. I have always looked for good low end in the music I listen to. Right now, I am thinking of the Duncan Seymore Distortion humbucker pick up matched with Duncan Seymore quarter pound single pickups. I think it matches for volume level on a split coil and the middle pickup. You seem like you know what you are doing, so I could use the advice. I am trying to learn the best I can. Guys or women with real experience can help out. How did I do on my choice? Not bad?
Ok, I think most of us agree that wood type doesn't have much bearing on guitar tone but what about the weight of the wood as it relates to sustain? Does a heavier guitar mean better sustain? I kind of doubt this although I know several people who believe it. If this is the case how do we explain chambered bodies that sustain like crazy?
Nope, nothing like the weight or shape has anything to do with sustain either. It's simply about the pickups, string composition and what the strings are hooked to on each end (metal would be nice) and how hard you play it and how loud your amp is.....but weight, thickness etc, etc, etc. Nope.
lots of the older japanese fenders are basswood, and they are great guitars. I have an old aerodyne japanese tele and it is awesome, and it is basswood!
My Holy Grail Of A Guitar Body Be A Les Paul Basswood Body With Maple Top, And Back, And A Maple Neck, With Ebony Fret Board. H/P-90/H Pickups. Ultra 6-Way Switch, And Cut Out For A I Don't Care What They Say FLOYD ROSE! Just To Make It Interesting. Yes, I'm Building One, And The Basswood Is One Of My Favorite Aspects Of It. DAMN GOOD TONE WOOD.
Basswood is great! Light...saves the back of us ol' dudes. Only issues ive had wiyh it is the softness. Can ding easy...sometimes studs and screws can enlarge the holes, but overall, not a big deal. Guitars look better with wear and tear.Think its funny that it's now considered a "tonewood". Lol! The prices have gone up of course. Never knew tongue depressors, and popsicle sticks were such a coveted premium product!
i've never worried about what wood my guitar was made from. my favorite guitar is a 02 MIM strat, candy apple red and its HEAVY, its the heaviest strat i've ever picked up, and i have no clue as to what kind of wood the body is made from, i just know the neck and fingerboard are maple, but i wouldnt trade it for the world. i'm actually curious since it IS so heavy, other people have told me ash, maple , alder, but all i know it plays and sounds great.
If you don't like how basswood dings easily, or the color, or the lack of woodgrain, you can always veneer it with something harder. A lot of my builds use ugly green poplar I get from pallets, painted dark with nice walnut or maple veneered on top.
My 2nd guitar (a kit, Scotts top 10 unfave things) is basswood, I could've got differing wood n paid more but instead spent the money on better nut, bridge n pickups.
Basswood is a great wood. Be careful though with bodies that have a lot of routs, like a Strat. Basswood is pretty easy to dent, and places like the bridge screws, and neck plate, may have some problems over time, it's not the strongest wood out there, but I love it. I also love pine. I'm pretty stoked about more guitar builders and companies like Squier...(I don't want to give Fender any more credit than I have to) using Pine. I'm also partial to Masonite.
Thank you for the helpful video. Is basswood not recommended in the neck pocket for a bolt-on neck? I have some strats that have cracked in this area, I don't believe any of my guitars are basswood though.
I have an '87 MiJ Fender Precision Bass with a Basswood body. The neck dives due to it being heavier than the body. But, it doesn't sound any different to any other P bass... Basswood is fine.
Thanks for the info. I was thinking about building a Gibson 335 replica and it is made with basswood. This makes me feel more confident that it is not "particleboard" in quality. Have you done any reviews on 335's, Gretches, Jazzy guitars?? I know you say, once powered up, it does not matter a whole lot about what wood, shape, or "F" hole. Its just pickups... Have you talked about the "Old School Wiring" and "Oil in Paper" capacitors etc???
Would like to try Bamboo. When it comes to electric guitar bodies the only thing I care about is the weight. I'm old and crotchety and by the end of the night I'm bent over just trying to relieve the pressure on my back. If I could make a guitar body out of a balloon and fill it with helium I would
I see you're still hoarding those PRS SE EG with the hardtail on them. They're harder to find these days and I'm forever jealous. Thanks for the lessons Scott. You really know your "wood" lol
i know, it's terrible, those guitars somehow flew under my radar and i didnt know about them when they were being made, i been looking for one ever since he did the video, but they are all vibrato equiped dang it, why is it so hard to get a hard tail!
Hey Scott, Do you happen to know any of the history with Leo Fender, and his choice of Alder over Basswood? From what I've understood he was more into the manufacturing to the masses, and would use whatever he could get in quantities regarding at least electrical components. But with his choice in wood, he didn't seem too fond of Basswood. But considering this wood in manufacturing, (Pattern making etc), I would think Basswood would've been his body wood of Choice, given it's availability. Any details you can share would be fun to hear. Thanks!
James Burton is a monster on the guitar. I'm in my 20's and when I talk about him to other musicians in my age range, they look at me with a blank stare. His work with Elvis in the TCB band was top shelf, but it rarely showcased his extreme abilities (abilities beyond being super solid that is.) His variation and style of finger picking is super fat and chunky sounding, while still being beyond fluid. There is a reason he was one of the most sought after guitarist for the studio.
Burton IS A MONSTER for sure. Have you seen the silver Tele they made for him at Fender? It's exactly like the flamed one here, just done all in silver and all of the paisley etc. all etched or stamped into it. It's BEAUTIFUL. Better than a silver watch anyday after 25 years at some other job! lol
groovydjs I've not seen that specific guitar, but I will look it up here in a minute. It sounds fuckin' awesome. I got the chance to meet the guy when I was a young teenager,and he was like the friendliest hick I had ever met. He doesn't use technical words or even the correct words for certain techniques. He would say shit like "just move your diggit up and down the fret jobby like this and just give it a plunk..." He really should be on the cover of some guitar magazines. Sure, I'm a metal head shredder, buuuut.. When it comes to people like James, even the best shredders have some shit to learn.
I'm thinking of buying an Ibanez Genesis...I have heard that basswood is not good for tremolo equipped guitars. Basswood is a softer wood I guess (from what I have read) and isn't well suited to Floyd Rose tremolos...something about the trem stud holes elongating from tremolo usage over time?
I just always look to Steve Vai on this matter. He LOVES using Basswood on his guitars and NOBODY yanks the wiggle stick harder than he does. I've never "HEARD" of a case of one popping loose on him or anyone else. I have a LOT of Basswood guitars and that's what I choose when having custom made axes made. I still pay more than a couple grand for my custom Basswood guitars, the same prices that Ibanez and Fender get for their CUSTOM SHOP or Signature models made with it. It's just great wood all around. I wouldn't worry one little bit about putting 3 Floyds on one guitar. lol
@@groovydjs Thanks, for the reply...I am going to order the Ibanez Genesis...I used to have an RG560 that I bought back in 1987. Great guitars...Thanks, again for the advice.
A fellow at the tdpri forum posted audio samples and asked what kind of wood he used to build the guitar. He received all kinds of answers of various woods, complete with ridiculous notions of why they though it was that wood. Turned out the he mounted a pickup on a piece of particle board. That made me question a lot of the bullshit I heard about "tonewoods." Nice job, Scott.
Hi Scott, in all seriousness, who are the targets in your videos? My perspective is a littel different, I used to work in a guitar store and only recently have I started looking at RUclips for discussion about guitars. Back when I worked in a guitar store, we never took a shit on basswood bodies. We did say they were generally lighter and affected sustain slightly, but that was it. But we did like and happily sold basswood guitars just fine. Who actually and seriously says that basswood isn't any good?
groovydjs There are tons of overpriced guitars that are basswood bodies. Hell, all the time I see $5k custom shop guitars with a basswood body and a paper-thin top. Realistically Alder used to be in the same category as Basswood when it came to snotty ass, high society, "guitarist." There are too many ways to fuck up a guitar to blame it on the body material alone. There are wonderful guitars made with the same wood, and then there are horrific guitars made with the same wood.
legacyShredder1 You are dead on correct again my friend. Sometimes. GREAT guitars will end up being the one and only one made of a certain model and the rest turned out to be junk for SOME REASON. Great and shit guitars are pretty much a bit of luck or not when it comes to finding "THE ONE", especially when they are made by the cookie cutter machines. Though it's not possible, it's almost as if one in a million are born with a soul and it connects with it's owner (if it takes 8 owners to bond). That's what's cool about instruments. When you bond with a hunk of WHATEVER.....It's going to make for some magic.
The only real problem I ever had with basswood is that it is kind of flimsy and dents a little too easily. But some Parker Flys have basswood necks and many Ibanez JEMs are made of basswood too. And we were quite happy to sell people basswood guitars if they wanted it!
hey scott, my 93 american standard is poplar with alder veneer (because its sunburst) its really light and extremely comfy, how do you feel about poplar? I know its a cheaper wood im a carpenter, but whats your opinion.
Dr. Groovy Man, I must tell you this, I went fishing the other day for Large Mouth Bass, I Hooked onto 3 nice ones, I got them in the boat, But None of them had any wood on them at all.I thought What The Hell, I wanted wood for a Guitar.LOL, I think my Med's Steered me wrong that day.Don't know what I was thinking, Crazy ass shit Doc, Cheers, Cousin Figel
Just discovered the Gibson SG Zoot Suit ! there's one on Ebay."laminated birch" or a "pinkies up" way of saying birch plywood. I must confess I actually own 3 plywood guitars and have to be honest they are great. Just like any other material have had several others that were trash. Have on copy Strat plywood body with a Fender neck and Fralin pickups that was used by several friends in place of their custom shop guitars on shows and recordings.They never new. And remember kids your expensive Gibson ES series of guitars are all "laminate" = " ...a rose by any other name "plywood.
AHHHH yeah, I just saw someone playing one of the Zoot Suits here in town at one of the casinos last weekend. SOOOOOO true about the ES axes as well. How are the Fralin pickups? Fralin himself rewound the Dimarzio SD in one of my old Kramer AXE 6 string guitars. I've only plugged it in once. How are the Strat pickups?
groovydjs The strat has the Fralin Blues Special set and I like them very much, pretty clean. Think they are little hotter than his standard but not the overwound set he offers.
I second your opinion on basswood good wood to make guitars with. Sick of mahogany and all that filling the pores. Saw a guy suffer through working with expensive Wenge, splintery/cracking suffering!! Why? Want to try Poplar too pretty cheap and sturdy.
Thanks for the videos Scott the older I get I realize it's all about marketing I buy what I like I don't care what the hell it's made out of. My friends have been blasting me for years over playing mim strats. But know everyone is praising them it seems, about time people realize that don't always get what they pay for.
Hi Scott! I was actually thinking about buying Jackson SL3X which has basswood body and I don´t have any chance to try these things out before buying. Do you know something about those guitars?
Yeah, there are a few sites offering pretty cool Tele, Strat and Ibanez style bodies that cost so very little made from Paulownia. Here's a really good article on it. www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/paulownia/ It's not much different than the Basswood actually. It does show more grain, so it looks nice with finishes that show off the wood, for those who like a bit of NATURE to show in their guitar bodies.
groovydjs Thanks Scott for the link and the insight. Much appreciated. This one is a tele kit. Oh, one more question, on some of the maple fretboards (maybe all, I don't know) it looks like they put some kind of finish on them, if this is true would you know what kind they use (thinking of building my own kit and staining or oiling it myself). I like the natural wood colors. Thanks again!
I did a little research, it looks like for maple fretboards you can use tung oil or danish oil. Thanks again for all the video's, tips, helps and instruction's Scott, much appreciated!
Hey Dr Groovy, would a 200 dollar Peavey raptor custom black with a maple neck, maple fingerboard and a basswood body be a good buy for a guy who just started to learn playing the guitar?
Sure thing my friend. Great guitar! They go for $169.99 brand new in the USA. They are one of those guitars that could honestly last you a lifetime. The main reason that anyone would want to pay more for a guitar is to say that they paid more for a guitar. lol You made a great choice. Cheers!
groovydjs Thank you for your answer Dr Groovy! after your advice i went after one. bought it online from the UK for only 95 euro. bargain of the century! Just got it at home to me in the Netherlands. Can't wait to go learn to play the beauty!
I remember once I was being criticized for using a parker fly. The guy was saying that you need the heavy weight of a les paul to get the "heavy" sound. Who the hell wants to break their back just playing a guitar? I always knew it was a load of crap.
Groovy. Do you like the Iceman guitars? I mean, do they seem to be made ok? I'm thinking of getting one of them, but I also think the Korean made Ibanez SZ set neck guitars are really great and way over looked. I think you pointed it out in your video which made me look for one. Will probably be the next guitar I get, the Icmean or SZ. Thanks man again for good video.
Hey Scott, if I am to import a Japanese guitar, should I settle for Basswood or go with an Alder body? I'm not looking for the tone differences but more towards the durability since it's crossing an ocean and I've heard Basswood dents easier than Alder.
"Warm" = a nice way of saying MUDDY I'd also take a light weight guitar over a heavy one anyway. I can play my Fender Stratocaster all day and I am fine, but if I play my Gibson Les Paul Standard, I feel like my knees and lower back are going to explode.
I know this is a random question, sorry in advance that it's out of place, but.. What do you think of A-432Hz tuning? I just tuned my Acoustic to it to see what it sounded like and I actually like it better. Placebo? Idk.
Basswood is used for cutting boards and some bowling pins which means it can withstand the road wear as easy as the harder woods. It can also be lightly stained and still look nice in my opinion. www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1579172
In my experience, no two guitars are alike, and there are lots of awesome basswood guitars and plenty of dead-sounding mahogany guitars. Cheap Gibsons can sound/play better than expensive PRS guitars. Ignore the cover, "read" the book.
So hard to find decent people who will tell it like it is....must of us have jobs and other matters to attend to...no real time to dig deep into the world making of guitars--so we rely on some salesman to help us get what we think we want and in the end we get screwed...Thank you sir for better informing us and giving us different perspectives. Hoping you and your wife are doing well !
John Petrucci uses Basswood for his guitars. At least in the past he did. I don't know what his latest guitar is made out of. Regarding weight... There's what I guess is a myth 'cause some say more weight = more sustain, better tone, blah, blah... Again, haven't seen or heard any proof of that yet but it would be interesting to find out, of course. Another great video, thanks Scott!
So very true. Here are the ways Gibson do the weight relief to different Les Pauls spotlight.samash.com/files/2014/08/gibson_weight_releif.png Here is a cool weight relief on an ALUMINUM guitar: img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/turquoisemoleeater/guitars/AbelAxe.jpg Then my favorit of all (I must get one make like this) the weigt relieved BASS guitar: fc08.deviantart.net/fs30/i/2008/128/7/5/pink_bass_guitar_by_klick14.jpg I think that is as cool as it gets.
See Scott, that is super cool. The Pauls are chambered but the veneer is covering the coolness. There is so much potential for creativity. Put a fucking fish in that chambered les Paul. Sure the fucker'll die, but to show up on stage with a floater in your axe. Timeless.
Keith Garcia Do you remember seeing the fish inside of PIMP style acrylic shoes? How about also inside of acrylic guitars? Yep, they did it. Here's the greatest parody of the shoes. lol ruclips.net/video/OQKKgNC5EpM/видео.html
As you stated, basswood isn't a "grainy" wood. So it isn't doing to have the natural beauty such as figured maple, buckeye, poplar and other types of burl etc. The more naturally aesthetic as wood is, the pricier it is going to be. The only issue with basswood has, say compared to alder, is that the quality of the basswood greatly varies. However, an experienced luthier can differentiate really good quality basswood from the subpar. The lowest grade basswood are usually bought up by the guitar manufacturers that mass produces the absolutely lowest priced, bargain basement guitars. Basswood of high quality is perfect for having custom painted graphics on it, as demonstrated. A basswood body with a figured maple top can produce a beautiful looking guitar without having to pay top dollar for a complete solid piece. perhaps adding a thin veneer top to enhance the beauty of the instrument without adding any significant cost!
My New Acoustic Guitar Lessons Channel: ruclips.net/channel/UCUT74DzWIwfhKOYyfK36OsQ
I just discovered your channel and it's one of those internet gems, thanks for all this!
I have a Godin session custom made of basswood body / hard maple neck / maple fingerboard and I could play it for hours without even notice that I still have the guitar in my hands as it's very lightweight. This is confortable and I often end up watching tv with the guitar still on my legs, then play again.
Another thing with Basswood. Very many signature guitars are made of Basswood. Here it's obvious that the artists could have chosen whatever wood in the world, and still - Basswood. A few: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, John Petrucci...
Most 1960s Mosrites are Basswood, too (though they didn't make all models out of Basswood after the 60s.)
Alan Holdsworth
I snarfed my drink when that intro hit me!
Cum Guzzlers!!! LMAO!! Thank god for folks like Scott.
I agree that the bass wood is a good wood to work with. I own several guitars that have bass wood body. Now I don't get guitar shoulder and neck pain nearly as much. Glad you stepped up!!!!! Keep it up!!!!
I heard basswood is soft and can ding very easily. isthat true?
Just got my basswood strandberg it's easily my favorite guitar
I like working with it. It's soft, easy on the tools. It takes a solid finish very easily. It's soft and dents easily, tremolo studs can pull forward, I use a maple dowel to strengthen the area. It's lightweight too. Ibanez uses a lot of it. Poplar is nice to work with too..
I LOVE basswood! It's light! Tone comes from the pickups and the positioning of the pickups. Basswood rocks!
I used to think and say tone come only from pickups. Then I was finally able to afford decent guitars and found that is just something poor guitar players say.
@@IndyRockStar i play basswood poplar alder ash, nyatoh and mAhogany and indeed their wood sound different but ones in plug the difference becomes to imperceptible , I think the wood you use only matters for recording in a studio with a really good quality to catch that good wood resonance, otherwise for learning, jamming and for gig’s it’s doesn’t matter at all, actully it’s more crucial your amp their speakers, your pickups and the PA system you are using about tone, oh! And the pedals or raks of course
@@IndyRockStar TBH, it sounds like you got pulled by marketing. You're right in that good instruments should absolutely sound and play better out of the box than the cheapest things out there. They should look better, feel better in your hand, you name it. That money goes somewhere and it's fine to enjoy the results.
That said, let's not pretend that a cheap axe can't be done up to sound and play amazing by a skilled tech or luthier, some just take more money than they're worth and that won't fix a gross neck shape or cheap body finish. In an apples to apples comparison the differences in woods are subjective or otherwise so minute that there's more how the guy winding the pickups felt than the wood species itself.
Thank you for this video & info on basswood. I have a Squire Bullet ... only because I needed a "pacifier" for the real thing. It looks great .. love the 2 color over the 3. Neck is great .... for a two year old. I played the Player Tele and didn't want to put it down. That, or preferably the Performer, is my dream Tele. But, I have thought of putting a Player neck on this Basswood body Bullet. And you are helping me decide on that. I had wanted to get a Swamp ash body, but after watching your video, I think that is not needed. Thanks again
Yeah good upload! Basswood makes for nice light guitars. I love them. The new Fender bullets are made from basswood I think.
That camera pan at 2:18 was awesome. Blew my mind.
Lol
I am pretty new to working with wood but have gotten bit by the bug bad in the last year and a half, just finished my 63rd canjo and they have come along way from the one you received.( better and more tools help) I am going to build a uke next , its time to move up a bit. The one thing I have enjoyed learning is how different woods saw and sand and work and take a finish, I find myself looking at the sawdust and chips , feeling the weight of the wood and comparing the time and energy it takes to the finished product. This video has shown me I need a digital scale :-) thanks Scott.
You rock my friend. I still play the Canjo that you built for me a few times a week. That is such a fun instrument. It's always the highlight of the tour of my music room when folks come over. Everybody gets the biggest kick out of that thing, and of course....I always have to play it for them I'm as happy as a clam with it my man! Wishing you the happiest of holidays! Keep me posted on your builds!
groovydjs You rock to Scott Happy Holidays to you and yours...Bill
groovydjs
The Ibanez RG 7321 is Basswood too. Sounds great!
Thanks so much! I mainly came here to figure out how to pronounce "Basswood!" lolol And got a bonus! Great video!
Scott, i think people think that if the guitar is heavy its better quality. And guitar companies use that to charge more. I love the fact that you tell the truth. Keep it up.
My Duglas Halo Explorer style is basswood. My Johnson jt 50 Mirage under 200 dollars is great. Thanks for the videos. Scott. I glad I have the same brand of ampilifer as you Scott.
No grain pattern? Put a veneer on top while making it and problem solved
Basswood is a great wood. I've had SG's that were lighter though and were mahogany. You just have to pickup the guitar. My Charvel from Japan around 91 with basswood is a great guitar, but it's just a good one. A predator with a Hum in the bridge and single coil in the neck, and a real schaller floyd that stays in tune and intonates well! Thanks again for the good stuff! Great video man. Great info. People are so hard headed about this stuff, it's fucking amazing.
When I read about people putting down one wood or another I’m reminded of the fact that Charlie Parker played a number of gigs and did several records using a plastic, toy saxophone from Woolworth’s. He frequently pawned his real sax’s for drug or booze money. In the right hands, you can make music with anything.
I have a basswood guitar ( by Godin) that sounds gorgeous. It’s painted so I have no idea about grain.
I did not know PRS made a 300 dollar guitar holy cow but seriously again thank you for your honesty
Those affinity p basses are pretty light and made of basswood. I took the black finish off and am going to shellac and clear coat it for giggles. Got it for $95.°° I did get better hardware for it though.
I like your attitude and approach.
I have two Ibanez RGs that are the exact same routing, both basswood, and one is about 2 pounds heavier than the other.
Could it be different bridges different pickups different tuners different knobs different neck wood different strap buttons hell maybe different colour?
Mr Kody Those play a factor, but I've weighed just the bodies alone, and with the same exact routing and everything, bodies by themselves are about 2 pounds different. One is them is a few years older than the other, so maybe that plays a role. Either way I love both guitars.
Dustin Corbin Thats so weird! Maybe someone put a bit too much paint or something on it
***** Two of the exact same bodies with a 2 pound difference? Its kinda weird
***** I ran out of time, ill im saying is i find it surprising the same model of guitar will have a two pound difference. Sorry if it says that in the video but i found that odd
What else you using those scales for Scott?
Thanks for the insight Scott. It's always nice to hear a common sense approach.
Great vid Scott. Some of my buddies say my guitar is a piece of garbage because it is made of basswood. Now I can show them this!
Scott
Basswood is a great wood for guitars. I just got back into playing this past year and love the full rich sound of my Fender I bought (made of Basswood). So far EVERYTHING you've said is true on your utube posts. I use the Elixer strings that you said were so good. I also went out and bought a PRS single cut guitar and love it. Thanks for ALL the good advice Keep it us.
Scott
Agree with you. My main axe is an Ibanez Jet King 1. Sweetest sounding and playing guitar I ever played all stock. Hella versatile and whadoya know its basswood.
Thanks for the information dr groovy
Any time!
Thanks Scott going to buy a japanese fender stratocaster with a basswood body.happy days
Thanks for shedding some light on this - I have seen so much basswood-dissing on the forums, it makes me want to puke!
My pleasure my friend. People try to make things so difficult. Guitars should be VERY easy to "get", but everybody wants to have brand name wars on each and every part, every grain of wood or plastic, if the wires are covered in plastic or cloth. Most people forget to simply try to learn to play the damned things and get together with other people and actually get along and play some music because it's fun. People these days would rather gripe than play. I know, I do pretty much the same thing, but the only difference is.....I just try to get them to realize that it's just wood and wires and that's about as deep as it gets.....plug it in, turn it up, smile and enjoy life. lol Cheers!
all I can say is Yup.... oh, and Happy New Year brother... stay well and safe
Love your videos Scott Thanks!
Thank you David! VERY APPRECIATED! I hope some of the stuff is usable for you. I always appreciate a nice letter my friend! All my best to you and yours!
Scott
way back in my younger years I remember a music store that would talk smack about basswood guitars, I had one and they ALMOST convinced me to trade it in for one of their more expensive guitars as a down payment.. but they forgot one thing, I don't have money... lol and I do seem to recall them calling it basswood like a bass guitar.. so... keep up the great vids man..
Finally someone who knows what they're talking about. Thanks.
Good to see basswood getting some love. Great wood for building bodies. Like you said, it takes paint well but it also takes glue very well which is why my current bass build is a basswood body with a mesquite top and a mesquite neck and fingerboard. Why mesquite? For its superior tonal qualities.
and by tonal qualities, I mean you aren't going to scream and cry like a girl when you bang the top of the guitar on an amp or stand or beer glass at your gig because mesquite is hard and it takes some doing to damage it. Give it a whack, it ain't gonna break. Find some nicely figured pieces and you've got a really pretty top. Makes for fewer warranty repairs.
Stable too so it's great for necks and harder than some of the lower end rosewoods coming out of Latin American farms lately. Build your guitars to last and be easy to service and you'll always have a great instrument when you need it.
Your videos are simply amazing. Keep up the good work to get the urban myth out of stuff and give us the truth. Great work and information Scott.
one of the best woods for metal
I love your videos Scott. Hope you're doing well.
My EVH stripped series is basswood. It's a darker sound acousticlly, but it rips!
There you go. Yeah, those EVH axes are great.
I'm getting a custom made guitar and was wondering if there is any wood that is far lighter than others? It's going to be a 24 fret hollowbody WITHOUT f holes, a custom made lock in tremolo system etc.
Swamp Ash is light like a feather
SwedishGuitarNerd Depends what part of the tree you get. Yes, Swamp Ash towards the top of the tree is much denser per volume than the wood at the bottom of the tree. This often gets overlooked and is true of most woods. Furthermore, outside of the tree is more porous than the center which is more dense, so lower half, outer wood is the lightest there is.
Balsa Wood is plenty light for ya :)
MH PDX Yep....Gibson used Balsa Wood in Les Pauls in the 70's. Their first attempt at weight relief. A ton of people still love those guitars.
SwedishGuitarNerd Can be. I've got a 7lb one piece swamp ash body on my home made strat, though. Just because I like pretty, unfinished wood on my strats.
all depends of the tone you want.. basswood is a grate wood that remark the mids frequency
Who do you have building your own custom guitars?? Those look absolutely flawless!!!
So, I've got a guitar with a solid basswood body. I got it for free.
Now, if I want to upgrade my guitar, what's the best pickups?
I am looking at what the basswood puts out. So, I was reading that the basswood like the mid tones. For me, I want something that picks up the low notes well and also the high end.
I guess I am trying to get the best out of the guitar, knowing what the typical sounds upgraded pickups give.
I have always looked for good low end in the music I listen to.
Right now, I am thinking of the Duncan Seymore Distortion humbucker pick up matched with Duncan Seymore quarter pound single pickups.
I think it matches for volume level on a split coil and the middle pickup.
You seem like you know what you are doing, so I could use the advice.
I am trying to learn the best I can. Guys or women with real experience can help out.
How did I do on my choice? Not bad?
Ok, I think most of us agree that wood type doesn't have much bearing on guitar tone but what about the weight of the wood as it relates to sustain? Does a heavier guitar mean better sustain? I kind of doubt this although I know several people who believe it. If this is the case how do we explain chambered bodies that sustain like crazy?
Nope, nothing like the weight or shape has anything to do with sustain either. It's simply about the pickups, string composition and what the strings are hooked to on each end (metal would be nice) and how hard you play it and how loud your amp is.....but weight, thickness etc, etc, etc. Nope.
lots of the older japanese fenders are basswood, and they are great guitars. I have an old aerodyne japanese tele and it is awesome, and it is basswood!
My Holy Grail Of A Guitar Body Be A Les Paul Basswood Body With Maple Top, And Back, And A Maple Neck, With Ebony Fret Board. H/P-90/H Pickups. Ultra 6-Way Switch, And Cut Out For A I Don't Care What They Say FLOYD ROSE! Just To Make It Interesting. Yes, I'm Building One, And The Basswood Is One Of My Favorite Aspects Of It. DAMN GOOD TONE WOOD.
I have a friend who has built an electric jazz bass with a cardboard body sounds fine.
Basswood is great! Light...saves the back of us ol' dudes. Only issues ive had wiyh it is the softness. Can ding easy...sometimes studs and screws can enlarge the holes, but overall, not a big deal. Guitars look better with wear and tear.Think its funny that it's now considered a "tonewood". Lol! The prices have gone up of course.
Never knew tongue depressors, and popsicle sticks were such a coveted premium product!
i've never worried about what wood my guitar was made from. my favorite guitar is a 02 MIM strat, candy apple red and its HEAVY, its the heaviest strat i've ever picked up, and i have no clue as to what kind of wood the body is made from, i just know the neck and fingerboard are maple, but i wouldnt trade it for the world. i'm actually curious since it IS so heavy, other people have told me ash, maple , alder, but all i know it plays and sounds great.
If you don't like how basswood dings easily, or the color, or the lack of woodgrain, you can always veneer it with something harder. A lot of my builds use ugly green poplar I get from pallets, painted dark with nice walnut or maple veneered on top.
Exactly. Which is why the Maple cap is on that white axe. Just a bit of protection.
Hey Scott, just wanted to say I love your videos.
Much appreciated!!!!!!!
Scott Grove proving once again that he is awesome!
My 2nd guitar (a kit, Scotts top 10 unfave things) is basswood, I could've got differing wood n paid more but instead spent the money on better nut, bridge n pickups.
Basswood is a great wood. Be careful though with bodies that have a lot of routs, like a Strat. Basswood is pretty easy to dent, and places like the bridge screws, and neck plate, may have some problems over time, it's not the strongest wood out there, but I love it.
I also love pine. I'm pretty stoked about more guitar builders and companies like Squier...(I don't want to give Fender any more credit than I have to) using Pine.
I'm also partial to Masonite.
Love basswood
Thank you for the helpful video. Is basswood not recommended in the neck pocket for a bolt-on neck? I have some strats that have cracked in this area, I don't believe any of my guitars are basswood though.
I have an '87 MiJ Fender Precision Bass with a Basswood body. The neck dives due to it being heavier than the body. But, it doesn't sound any different to any other P bass... Basswood is fine.
Thanks for the info. I was thinking about building a Gibson 335 replica and it is made with basswood. This makes me feel more confident that it is not "particleboard" in quality.
Have you done any reviews on 335's, Gretches, Jazzy guitars?? I know you say, once powered up, it does not matter a whole lot about what wood, shape, or "F" hole. Its just pickups...
Have you talked about the "Old School Wiring" and "Oil in Paper" capacitors etc???
Would like to try Bamboo. When it comes to electric guitar bodies the only thing I care about is the weight. I'm old and crotchety and by the end of the night I'm bent over just trying to relieve the pressure on my back. If I could make a guitar body out of a balloon and fill it with helium I would
Have you considered adding an iceman to your collection?
I see you're still hoarding those PRS SE EG with the hardtail on them. They're harder to find these days and I'm forever jealous. Thanks for the lessons Scott. You really know your "wood" lol
i know, it's terrible, those guitars somehow flew under my radar and i didnt know about them when they were being made, i been looking for one ever since he did the video, but they are all vibrato equiped dang it, why is it so hard to get a hard tail!
Hey Scott, Do you happen to know any of the history with Leo Fender, and his choice of Alder over Basswood? From what I've understood he was more into the manufacturing to the masses, and would use whatever he could get in quantities regarding at least electrical components. But with his choice in wood, he didn't seem too fond of Basswood. But considering this wood in manufacturing, (Pattern making etc), I would think Basswood would've been his body wood of Choice, given it's availability. Any details you can share would be fun to hear. Thanks!
James Burton is a monster on the guitar. I'm in my 20's and when I talk about him to other musicians in my age range, they look at me with a blank stare. His work with Elvis in the TCB band was top shelf, but it rarely showcased his extreme abilities (abilities beyond being super solid that is.)
His variation and style of finger picking is super fat and chunky sounding, while still being beyond fluid.
There is a reason he was one of the most sought after guitarist for the studio.
Burton IS A MONSTER for sure. Have you seen the silver Tele they made for him at Fender? It's exactly like the flamed one here, just done all in silver and all of the paisley etc. all etched or stamped into it. It's BEAUTIFUL. Better than a silver watch anyday after 25 years at some other job! lol
groovydjs I've not seen that specific guitar, but I will look it up here in a minute. It sounds fuckin' awesome.
I got the chance to meet the guy when I was a young teenager,and he was like the friendliest hick I had ever met.
He doesn't use technical words or even the correct words for certain techniques. He would say shit like "just move your diggit up and down the fret jobby like this and just give it a plunk..."
He really should be on the cover of some guitar magazines. Sure, I'm a metal head shredder, buuuut.. When it comes to people like James, even the best shredders have some shit to learn.
I'm thinking of buying an Ibanez Genesis...I have heard that basswood is not good for tremolo equipped guitars. Basswood is a softer wood I guess (from what I have read) and isn't well suited to Floyd Rose tremolos...something about the trem stud holes elongating from tremolo usage over time?
I just always look to Steve Vai on this matter. He LOVES using Basswood on his guitars and NOBODY yanks the wiggle stick harder than he does. I've never "HEARD" of a case of one popping loose on him or anyone else. I have a LOT of Basswood guitars and that's what I choose when having custom made axes made. I still pay more than a couple grand for my custom Basswood guitars, the same prices that Ibanez and Fender get for their CUSTOM SHOP or Signature models made with it. It's just great wood all around. I wouldn't worry one little bit about putting 3 Floyds on one guitar. lol
@@groovydjs Thanks, for the reply...I am going to order the Ibanez Genesis...I used to have an RG560 that I bought back in 1987. Great guitars...Thanks, again for the advice.
A fellow at the tdpri forum posted audio samples and asked what kind of wood he used to build the guitar. He received all kinds of answers of various woods, complete with ridiculous notions of why they though it was that wood. Turned out the he mounted a pickup on a piece of particle board. That made me question a lot of the bullshit I heard about "tonewoods." Nice job, Scott.
Hi Scott, in all seriousness, who are the targets in your videos? My perspective is a littel different, I used to work in a guitar store and only recently have I started looking at RUclips for discussion about guitars.
Back when I worked in a guitar store, we never took a shit on basswood bodies. We did say they were generally lighter and affected sustain slightly, but that was it. But we did like and happily sold basswood guitars just fine.
Who actually and seriously says that basswood isn't any good?
9 of 10 people online period will tell you that Basswood is shit simply because they heard it from someone else in a forum somewhere.
groovydjs
There are tons of overpriced guitars that are basswood bodies. Hell, all the time I see $5k custom shop guitars with a basswood body and a paper-thin top.
Realistically Alder used to be in the same category as Basswood when it came to snotty ass, high society, "guitarist." There are too many ways to fuck up a guitar to blame it on the body material alone. There are wonderful guitars made with the same wood, and then there are horrific guitars made with the same wood.
legacyShredder1 You are dead on correct again my friend. Sometimes. GREAT guitars will end up being the one and only one made of a certain model and the rest turned out to be junk for SOME REASON. Great and shit guitars are pretty much a bit of luck or not when it comes to finding "THE ONE", especially when they are made by the cookie cutter machines. Though it's not possible, it's almost as if one in a million are born with a soul and it connects with it's owner (if it takes 8 owners to bond). That's what's cool about instruments. When you bond with a hunk of WHATEVER.....It's going to make for some magic.
The only real problem I ever had with basswood is that it is kind of flimsy and dents a little too easily. But some Parker Flys have basswood necks and many Ibanez JEMs are made of basswood too. And we were quite happy to sell people basswood guitars if they wanted it!
hey scott, my 93 american standard is poplar with alder veneer (because its sunburst) its really light and extremely comfy, how do you feel about poplar? I know its a cheaper wood im a carpenter, but whats your opinion.
Dr. Groovy Man, I must tell you this, I went fishing the other day for Large Mouth Bass, I Hooked onto 3 nice ones, I got them in the boat, But None of them had any wood on them at all.I thought What The Hell, I wanted wood for a Guitar.LOL, I think my Med's Steered me wrong that day.Don't know what I was thinking, Crazy ass shit Doc, Cheers, Cousin Figel
You sold me buddy!👍🏻
Just discovered the Gibson SG Zoot Suit ! there's one on Ebay."laminated birch" or a "pinkies up" way of saying birch plywood. I must confess I actually own 3 plywood guitars and have to be honest they are great. Just like any other material have had several others that were trash. Have on copy Strat plywood body with a Fender neck and Fralin pickups that was used by several friends in place of their custom shop guitars on shows and recordings.They never new. And remember kids your expensive Gibson ES series of guitars are all "laminate" = " ...a rose by any other name "plywood.
AHHHH yeah, I just saw someone playing one of the Zoot Suits here in town at one of the casinos last weekend. SOOOOOO true about the ES axes as well. How are the Fralin pickups? Fralin himself rewound the Dimarzio SD in one of my old Kramer AXE 6 string guitars. I've only plugged it in once. How are the Strat pickups?
groovydjs The strat has the Fralin Blues Special set and I like them very much, pretty clean. Think they are little hotter than his standard but not the overwound set he offers.
yikes sorry about spelling on the original message, was too late.
My Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass is my favorite Bass Iv'e ever had. Basswood body
basswood and sycamore are both amazing
I second your opinion on basswood good wood to make guitars with. Sick of mahogany and all that filling the pores. Saw a guy suffer through working with expensive Wenge, splintery/cracking suffering!! Why? Want to try Poplar too pretty cheap and sturdy.
Thanks for the videos Scott the older I get I realize it's all about marketing I buy what I like I don't care what the hell it's made out of. My friends have been blasting me for years over playing mim strats. But know everyone is praising them it seems, about time people realize that don't always get what they pay for.
Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't EVH use basswood quite a lot?
Hi Scott! I was actually thinking about buying Jackson SL3X which has basswood body and I don´t have any chance to try these things out before buying. Do you know something about those guitars?
Have you ever played an esp eclipse Dr groovy if so what did you think?
Hey Scott, thanks for this tip. I found a guitar made out of Paulownia Body? What is that? Its pretty cheap.
Yeah, there are a few sites offering pretty cool Tele, Strat and Ibanez style bodies that cost so very little made from Paulownia. Here's a really good article on it. www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/paulownia/ It's not much different than the Basswood actually. It does show more grain, so it looks nice with finishes that show off the wood, for those who like a bit of NATURE to show in their guitar bodies.
groovydjs Thanks Scott for the link and the insight. Much appreciated. This one is a tele kit. Oh, one more question, on some of the maple fretboards (maybe all, I don't know) it looks like they put some kind of finish on them, if this is true would you know what kind they use (thinking of building my own kit and staining or oiling it myself). I like the natural wood colors. Thanks again!
I did a little research, it looks like for maple fretboards you can use tung oil or danish oil. Thanks again for all the video's, tips, helps and instruction's Scott, much appreciated!
And I would do anything for love, I would do ANYTHING for looove!
Hey Dr Groovy, would a 200 dollar Peavey raptor custom black with a maple neck, maple fingerboard and a basswood body be a good buy for a guy who just started to learn playing the guitar?
Sure thing my friend. Great guitar! They go for $169.99 brand new in the USA. They are one of those guitars that could honestly last you a lifetime. The main reason that anyone would want to pay more for a guitar is to say that they paid more for a guitar. lol You made a great choice. Cheers!
groovydjs Thank you for your answer Dr Groovy! after your advice i went after one. bought it online from the UK for only 95 euro. bargain of the century! Just got it at home to me in the Netherlands. Can't wait to go learn to play the beauty!
Scott buddy !
Have you perhaps tried a Mayones guitar ? Whats your opinion of them ? Cheers !
I remember once I was being criticized for using a parker fly. The guy was saying that you need the heavy weight of a les paul to get the "heavy" sound. Who the hell wants to break their back just playing a guitar? I always knew it was a load of crap.
Groovy.
Do you like the Iceman guitars? I mean, do they seem to be made ok? I'm thinking of getting one of them, but I also think the Korean made Ibanez SZ set neck guitars are really great and way over looked. I think you pointed it out in your video which made me look for one. Will probably be the next guitar I get, the Icmean or SZ. Thanks man again for good video.
Hey Scott, if I am to import a Japanese guitar, should I settle for Basswood or go with an Alder body? I'm not looking for the tone differences but more towards the durability since it's crossing an ocean and I've heard Basswood dents easier than Alder.
AzureDawnAOI If it helps you any. Every Basswood guitar in the world had to cross an ocean.
LUV YER WERK SCOTT !!! LOGIC...YA CANT BEAT IT !!
How's about you get outa my ass and I'll get off your hair....LMAO...Sorry Scotty..2:21...I couldn't let that one pass.
Yeah, you can't pass that one up. I can't blame you. lol
"Warm" = a nice way of saying MUDDY
I'd also take a light weight guitar over a heavy one anyway. I can play my Fender Stratocaster all day and I am fine, but if I play my Gibson Les Paul Standard, I feel like my knees and lower back are going to explode.
I know this is a random question, sorry in advance that it's out of place, but..
What do you think of A-432Hz tuning? I just tuned my Acoustic to it to see what it sounded like and I actually like it better. Placebo? Idk.
Nice video!
can you do one on sen wood, for the people who don"t know anything about it.
I love base wood.
Basswood is used for cutting boards and some bowling pins which means it can withstand the road wear as easy as the harder woods. It can also be lightly stained and still look nice in my opinion.
www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1579172
Scott, what are your thoughts on Paulownia bodies?
In my experience, no two guitars are alike, and there are lots of awesome basswood guitars and plenty of dead-sounding mahogany guitars. Cheap Gibsons can sound/play better than expensive PRS guitars. Ignore the cover, "read" the book.
So hard to find decent people who will tell it like it is....must of us have jobs and other matters to attend to...no real time to dig deep into the world making of guitars--so we rely on some salesman to help us get what we think we want and in the end we get screwed...Thank you sir for better informing us and giving us different perspectives.
Hoping you and your wife are doing well !
Thinking of buying a diy guitar just want the neck and body the rest I was gonna use differnt electronics the body and neck is 118.00 would you use it
John Petrucci uses Basswood for his guitars. At least in the past he did. I don't know what his latest guitar is made out of. Regarding weight... There's what I guess is a myth 'cause some say more weight = more sustain, better tone, blah, blah... Again, haven't seen or heard any proof of that yet but it would be interesting to find out, of course.
Another great video, thanks Scott!
I used to have that surge protector!
I thought about how some Les Pauls are routed out to help with the weight.
So very true. Here are the ways Gibson do the weight relief to different Les Pauls
spotlight.samash.com/files/2014/08/gibson_weight_releif.png Here is a cool weight relief on an ALUMINUM guitar:
img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/turquoisemoleeater/guitars/AbelAxe.jpg Then my favorit of all (I must get one make like this) the weigt relieved BASS guitar:
fc08.deviantart.net/fs30/i/2008/128/7/5/pink_bass_guitar_by_klick14.jpg I think that is as cool as it gets.
See Scott, that is super cool. The Pauls are chambered but the veneer is covering the coolness. There is so much potential for creativity. Put a fucking fish in that chambered les Paul. Sure the fucker'll die, but to show up on stage with a floater in your axe. Timeless.
Keith Garcia Do you remember seeing the fish inside of PIMP style acrylic shoes? How about also inside of acrylic guitars? Yep, they did it. Here's the greatest parody of the shoes. lol ruclips.net/video/OQKKgNC5EpM/видео.html
Ha. I love that movie. I'm gonna git you sucka. Classic.
Keith Garcia It;s the best!
So now I suppose bass wood will be more expensive! Thanks Scott! :-)
As you stated, basswood isn't a "grainy" wood. So it isn't doing to have the natural beauty such as figured maple, buckeye, poplar and other types of burl etc. The more naturally aesthetic as wood is, the pricier it is going to be. The only issue with basswood has, say compared to alder, is that the quality of the basswood greatly varies. However, an experienced luthier can differentiate really good quality basswood from the subpar. The lowest grade basswood are usually bought up by the guitar manufacturers that mass produces the absolutely lowest priced, bargain basement guitars. Basswood of high quality is perfect for having custom painted graphics on it, as demonstrated. A basswood body with a figured maple top can produce a beautiful looking guitar without having to pay top dollar for a complete solid piece. perhaps adding a thin veneer top to enhance the beauty of the instrument without adding any significant cost!