Bass Woods

[Emibass]

I love talkbass!

[JamesGoodall]

Originally Posted by Emibass

I love talkbass!

+1

[tjclem]

Originally Posted by JamesGoodall

It really needs to become a staple in the reply window!

I second that!!

[Scott in Dallas]

I've learned to be wary of discussing religion, politics, or tonewoods on electric instruments.

[jobo4]

Originally Posted by Scott in Dallas

I've learned to be wary of discussing religion, politics, or tonewoods on electric instruments.

... or fretboard tone generalizations, or what is the best bass for metal, or why anyone would need a fifth string, or what is so great about Fender, or why we should never play for free, or...

[Jeff Mills]

My NON SCIENTIFIC means of determining if wood is tone worthy after kiln drying to 6 ~ 8% moisture content. Clang two pieces of wood together if they ring or resonate ok they are good for tonewood. If the wood just thumps (sounds dead) then use for furniture or something else... despite how figured it may be (flame on) Different species of wood resonate differently so I don't think all wood is created equal... and surely has an impact on the instrument's tonal quality. Then I have a musicians approach to building a 4 string neck through semi hollow body with 4 chambers. I Think Marimba.

So my idea of what really determines the cost of a bass (your second question)? Well I would say materials, engineering and craftsmanship.

Thanks

[JoeWPgh]

The problem with this sort of discussion, is that many people confuse probabilities with certainties. An ash bass with a maple fingerboard will sound brighter and punchier than an alder with a rosewood 7 times out of ten. The other 3 out of that ten are just as real and just as valid. It's sort of like a Mexi vs American Fender. The probabilities are the American will be a superior product, but there's plenty of evidence that it's not always true. Despite all the science involved, there's still enough voodoo to make absolutes not so absolute.

[Greevus]

you just got to play for a while and try different woods. then one day, you will go "aaaah, i know what those old f*cks were talking about"

[Hopkins]

Originally Posted by Greevus

you just got to play for a while and try different woods. then one day, you will go "aaaah, i know what those old f*cks were talking about"

You mean the old ....s that said that wood doesn't make much of a difference?

[Macrocosmcwh]

Originally Posted by Beej

Of course you believe there is a difference. That is the entire point of needing to understand what cognitive bias is. With respect of course...

I stand B-Slapped.....

Just was feeling the need to contribute to at least one thread that day....

This seemed as good as any!

[Macrocosmcwh]

Originally Posted by Emibass

I love talkbass!

+1

[hgiles]

When someone can invariably listen to a bass and state the wood species then I will start believing it makes a difference in the sound.

[JamesGoodall]

Originally Posted by hgiles

When someone can invariably listen to a bass and state the wood species then I will start believing it makes a difference in the sound.

Well that's just silly. The point a lot of us are trying to make here (me and beej, at least) is that it could be assumed that wood does make a difference in sound, but that is just one in an incalculable amount of factors that contribute to a basses overall "tone." So while it very well makes a difference, it would be close to impossible to ever quantify how much it actually changes the sound. Adding to that, no two bodies are exactly the same. Not even bodies cut from the same board. There will still be inconsistencies making any observation as to whether different species of wood alter tone or not completely moot, because we can't have a control.
I believe myself to be a Tone-Wood Agnostic (<--- totally real ). I would like to believe that wood affects my bass tone. It's a lovely thought! But you can't prove how much. You cant even prove if it changes the sound at all! But it's nice to think that it does. It gives me something a lot less superficial than mere looks to think about when picking or designing a bass.

[jobo4]

Originally Posted by JamesGoodall

I believe myself to be a Tone-Wood Agnostic .

Like.

[rintintin]

Originally Posted by rintintin

Can someone please explain the real difference and why, in buying an expensive bass made with premium woods, would sound better than a cheaper bass made from say not so expensive woods.

If the strings sit on top of the fret board and resonate over the pickups, then how does an expensive wood sitting below the strings make a huge difference. I know this sounds simpleton, however when you see price tags for AA, AAA AAAA, and exotic woods, you have to sometimes wander what real difference are you buying, and can our ears really notice the difference between a $700 and a $1200 bass, or a $5000 and a $12000

Example: putting aside electronics and hardware I have seen the workmanship on a high end American Fender Jazz and a Mexican Fender Jazz, and to be honest there isn't much noticeable difference. So how much of a difference is the quality of wood going to add to the overall sound at the end of the day.

If someone can explain please exclude electronics and hardware.

cheers

Wow when I originally posted this thread I wasn't sure what kind of response I would get, however the overwhelming response has definitely shed a great deal of light.

In conclusion so far as myself is concerned.
1) different woods resonate ? degree of frequencies back onto the vibrating string.
2) What is a good, bad, acceptable, justifiable expensive, resonating frequency - my wallet will ultimately determine this factor
3) Premium and exotic woods are also chosen for their aesthetic value, and no so much for any significant value in overall tone
4) Some woods simply age better than others, resulting in a more stable instrument long term
5) Craftsmanship will lend itself to quality
6) Lesser grade wood ????, good craftsmanship, quality hardware and well balanced amplification, will produce a good or excellent sounding bass.

Of course at the end of the day a quality player will always have the last say on how an instrument talks.

cheers

[JoeWPgh]

I pretty much completely agree with your takeaway, except the last one.
"Lesser grade wood ????, good craftsmanship, quality hardware and well balanced amplification, will produce a good or excellent sounding bass."
I would change the word "will" to "can"

Originally Posted by rintintin

Wow when I originally posted this thread I wasn't sure what kind of response I would get, however the overwhelming response has definitely shed a great deal of light.

In conclusion so far as myself is concerned.
1) different woods resonate ? degree of frequencies back onto the vibrating string.
2) What is a good, bad, acceptable, justifiable expensive, resonating frequency - my wallet will ultimately determine this factor
3) Premium and exotic woods are also chosen for their aesthetic value, and no so much for any significant value in overall tone
4) Some woods simply age better than others, resulting in a more stable instrument long term
5) Craftsmanship will lend itself to quality
6) Lesser grade wood ????, good craftsmanship, quality hardware and well balanced amplification, will produce a good or excellent sounding bass.

Of course at the end of the day a quality player will always have the last say on how an instrument talks.

cheers

[rintintin]

Agreed - lesser grade wood can