American Series JB - Ash or Alder?

[lowtone65]

I noticed that the American Series Jazz Basses were either Alder or Ash depending on color. I have a 2006 in Butterscotch Blonde. Just curious to know what I have and what colors determined which wood was used. Anybody familiar with these?





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[AGCurry]

In general, alder is not as attractive to the eye as ash. Therefore, an instrument that has an opaque finish is likely to be alder. If the wood grain shows through the finish, it's likely ash.

 

[lowtone65]

Thanks for the reply! The finish on mine is transparent (semi?), so I guess I can assume it is ash.

 

[lowtone65]

Not that anyone is hanging on the edge of their seat for this, but I dug a little deeper and found some sales specs for the American Series Jazz Bass line. It seems only the Sunset Orange Transparent used an Ash body. So although I can see the grain in my Butterscotch Blonde, it's Alder.
I'm sure you'll all sleep better tonight.
Happy Holidays!

 

[Mike Vee]

Often transparent white / butterscotch is still just alder, while ash is mostly used for natural and more intensely transparent colors. However, in the 70s ash was used for everything.