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Ash VS SWAMP ash: tone differences?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by oversoul, Jan 8, 2009.

  1. Jan 8, 2009 #1
    oversoul

    oversoul fretless by fate

    Feb 16, 2004
    Portugal
    I have the possibility of getting a bass made in the near future (If I don't snag a used deal in the meantime).

    So the issue is, I considered an ash body, and got replied that I could choose between "regular" ash, and the so called, very well known "swamp" ash, that we all love for our snap and punch.


    so exactly what tells these woods apart? The looks? the weight? the overall tone?

    If you have a bass made of this so called normal ash, feel free to post it.
     
  2. Jan 8, 2009 #2
    heavyhitter

    heavyhitter

    Jan 24, 2008
    Swamp ash is lighter than ash.
     
  3. Jan 8, 2009 #3
    SanDiegoHarry

    SanDiegoHarry Inactive Supporting Member

    Aug 11, 2008
    San Diego, CA
    Ash will be *just a hair* brighter. Doubt most folks could hear it, and its nothing that a technique or control adjustment can't comp for.

    and MUCH heavier. Swamp ash is my fav bass body wood, no doubt.
     
  4. Jan 8, 2009 #4
    oversoul

    oversoul fretless by fate

    Feb 16, 2004
    Portugal
    So soundwise they're pretty much identical huh?:confused:

    Weight may not be an issue, the builder in question has a very sleek design, which could avoid the bass from bein burdensome.
     
  5. Jan 8, 2009 #5
    SanDiegoHarry

    SanDiegoHarry Inactive Supporting Member

    Aug 11, 2008
    San Diego, CA
    but lighter is always better. True, swamp ash is a bit more $$, but tone-wise? If you can really tell the difference, you have better ears than me. You will get much more tone difference in the p'ups you select and the strings you use. MUCH.
     
  6. Jan 8, 2009 #6
    oversoul

    oversoul fretless by fate

    Feb 16, 2004
    Portugal
    you'd be surprised how much the opposite can be relevant. :eek: (meaning, doing the opposite of what you say, keeping a specific electronic pack, and changing body woods)

    But yes, you are still right obviously, and I do take weight as serious business, a heavy instrument will quickly make my neck sore after around 1 hour on my feet.
     
  7. Jan 8, 2009 #7
    Eric Perry

    Eric Perry

    Jun 16, 2002
    Make a left at the Taco Bell
    Same here.
     
  8. Jan 8, 2009 #8
    narud

    narud

    Mar 15, 2001
    santa maria,california
    big difference in sound. lightweight swamp ash has a bloom to the note. somewhat airy and a bit hollow. higher denisty, heavy ash has much more attack on the note and doesnt bloom. smacks you in the face more if you will. ill put up with the weight for the tone.
     
  9. Jan 8, 2009 #9
    Mystic Michael

    Mystic Michael Hip No Ties

    Apr 1, 2004
    New York, NY
    IIRC, hard ash is quite similar to maple in weight, appearance and tone: Heavy, dense, light in color, quite bright in tone, with lots of attack and sustain. Perhaps a bit compressed-sounding, as opposed to open-sounding. A little more apparent grain in the finish compared to maple... :meh:

    MM