Is Alder always this loud?

[Darren Low]

First off, I'd very much like it if I could just gather a few responses to my simple question, and not have this thread segue into some wood argument, as I have seen happen.

Now then. I have only played a few different basses (I haven't been playing for long, and I am very happy with what I have). Among these, only 1 has had an alder body (yes, I know it's meant to be common). Compared to the others, this bass is quite a fair bit louder. It's not the pickups; I'm referring to how it sounds acoustically. I measured it to be about 5 decibels louder on average, though I do not know how accurate the measuring tool is. I also do not know how much of a difference 5 db would sound like, but in this case, my ears are picking up a very noticeable change in volume.

It's not chambered or anything, so given my limited experience, I'm wondering if all this is from just this particular piece of alder, or is alder like that in general?

[Lorenzini]

Every instrument and therefore piece of wood has its own resonance and volume when played acoustically.

I have 2 basses, both alder. One of them has more midrange resonance than the other and happens to also be louder.

[topo morto]

Why do you think it's the body wood - could it not also be the bridge, or the neck joint, or the body shape etc. having an effect?

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by topo morto

Why do you think it's the body wood - could it not also be the bridge, or the neck joint, or the body shape etc. having an effect?

I'll give you an example why it could still be what woods it is made of:

The basses I was talking in my previous post about are almost 100% identical. Same bridge, same tuners, same Jazz body, both 5-string, etc.

One of them is louder acoustically. Incidentally it's not the bass I prefer to play and is less punchy.

[GregC]

I find that the basses i like most typically have alder bodies. But I haven't noticed a volume difference.

[R Baer]

Every piece of wood sounds differently, even within the same species. From what I understand, it mostly has to do with the density and moisture content of the wood. The acoustic volume has to do with the natural resonance of the entire instrument, so everything, other than the electronics is a factor at that point. I played mostly ash basses for years, but my last two have been alder. The alder seems to have a nice full low end and more present mids than my ash instruments. Of course, this thread will soon be full of those that say the wood makes no difference, so you'll have to use your own judgment on that. There are some guys, Sadowsky, Skjold, Tobias, Nordstrand, Wynn, Roscoe, Lawrence, Marleaux, Wilkins, Drozd, Dingwall, etc., that say the wood choice does effect the sound, but hey, what do those guys know?

[sven kalmar]

my roadworn p i alder and very loud/resonant. when i got it they had two. same strings both perfectly set up by the best guys. Mine is very sweet resonant and rich. the other was MUCH more thuddy. very different.

[gurensan]

I had an alder 6 that had nothing special in volume or tone. Thing shoulda been firewood.

(Edit: I've played alder basses that were far better.. just this particular one should've been burned while I danced around the fire howling and jabbing it with a spear.)

[vondran]

I think it's just the particular alder bass you have. Alder can loud and it can be dull.

One thing to try is swapping the necks between the two basses. If they are identical you should be able to do this easily.

[Darren Low]

Thanks for the insight. I guess we can conclude that it has nothing to do with the wood species.

[Mark4]

It's this loud alder time.

[giacomini]

The loudest bass (unplugged) that I've had had the body made of cheap basswood, go figure...

[Darren Low]

Originally Posted by Mark4

It's this loud alder time.

Good one!

[MEKer]

Originally Posted by R Baer

Every piece of wood sounds differently, even within the same species. From what I understand, it mostly has to do with the density and moisture content of the wood. The acoustic volume has to do with the natural resonance of the entire instrument, so everything, other than the electronics is a factor at that point. I played mostly ash basses for years, but my last two have been alder. The alder seems to have a nice full low end and more present mids than my ash instruments. Of course, this thread will soon be full of those that say the wood makes no difference, so you'll have to use your own judgment on that. There are some guys, Sadowsky, Skjold, Tobias, Nordstrand, Wynn, Roscoe, Lawrence, Marleaux, Wilkins, Drozd, Dingwall, etc., that say the wood choice does effect the sound, but hey, what do those guys know?

they know marketing

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by Darren Low

I measured it to be about 5 decibels louder on average, though I do not know how accurate the measuring tool is.

Please describe the tool and setup/procedure used.

[C.Linton]

I don't think it's louder simply because it's specifically Alder, it's more likely just that particular piece of Alder, if anything.