Better wood for a bass

[Theabyssbass]

ash or basswood? please explain your answers why.

Thanks
The Abyss Bass

 

[CrispyDelicious]

Seriously?

 

[Theabyssbass]

yes, i don't know anything about types of wood. i was hoping i could get some help without any @$$hole comments. these are my only options.

thanks
The Abyss Bass

 

[the humanity]

ash is a prettier and more bright wood, it is also quite clear.

that said, I find basswood to be relatively transparent, but with more boosted mids. in addition, it is rather ugly.

most people like ash better.

 

[wilser]

what is your definition of "better wood"?

 

[Theabyssbass]

cool thank you Humaity.

The Abyss Bass

 

[CrispyDelicious]

Heh, well, first, I would edit that comment before the mods infract you.

But to be more specific, your question is too vague for anyone to answer. "Best" for what? Tone? More than half of TB doesn't believe in the concept of tone wood. Or by best do you mean best looking? Or lightest weight?

Also, this subject comes up about 10 times a week, and the response is always the same: this has been discussed a million times, do a search. And if you absolutely insist on posting this question, include more information so as to give the other members here something to work with. Otherwise it looks like you didn't bother to do any reaseach at all prior to posting, which implies you don't really care that much. In which case, how do you expect a reasonable reply?

Hence: Seriously?

 

[mike1762]

This site: http://www.jemsite.com/jem/wood.htm has the information you are looking for. It is written from the perspective of an electric instrument (if we were talking about an acoustic instrument... that is a different matter).

 

[dvh]

"A heavier piece, or a piece from higher up on the tree will be more dead and lifeless."

Is from that website and begs the whole credibility of the person who wrote it. The fact is, the higher in the tree, the younger the wood.

Describing woods for solid body instruments as one might describe wines is silly IMHO.

 

[Laklandlover]

ash!

 

[Theabyssbass]

thanks guys, im trying to get a cheap bass for my nephew. he needs to learn but i don't have the cash to buy anything to expensive. i was looking at the squier 5 string (basswood) or the an sx 5 string (ash). but i thought i'd get an opinion on woods before i bought anything. thanks Lakland for the simple answer for the simple queston.

The Abyss Bass

 

[Rickett Customs]

Abyss, It's obviously not as black and white as it may seem.

You want to see some real fun answers though, ask this exact same question on MIMF, I think at the least Deb could sum it up for you .

and after saying that, more definite properties are:

Basswood is a bit softer than Ash.
Basswood is a bit lighter than Ash (weight).


Things that could be speculated:

Ash may have more defined highs and lows, than Basswood.
Basswood may have a more pronounced midrange, than ash

Of course, some ears are different, YMMV and I could be completely wrong, that is the subjectivity of this topic.

 

[serein2j]

Go to the store try them and listen to them....and then decide

 

[kesslari]

Thanks for providing more info.
One reason for the hedged and perhaps snarky answers is this:
The difference in body woods in solidbody instruments like electric bass is only one part, and probably a fairly small part, of the overall difference in sound. Things like pickups (and their placement), type of construction, even choice of strings, will all have an equal-or-greater impact on the sound of the bass as the choice of wood.
Especially at that price point, the difference in woods, sound or quality-wise, is fairly neglegible.

Both of those basses are considered good "value for the money" basses. Your nephew would be equally satisfied with either of them.

 

[T-Forty]

Northern Ash!

 

[savit260]

Better is up to you.

I prefer Ash.

Nicer to look at. More of an "industry standard" tonewood vs. Basswood which is typicaly found on budget instruments.

Ash seems to not have issues with screws easily stripping out the wood like basswood seems to have a tendancy to do. Strap pins tearing out of the body can happen with any wood, but basswood seems particularly prone to this, due to it's softness.

Downside of Ash is it CAN be all over the map for wieght. Premium pieces will be light, but some others will run on the heavy side, and basswood is typicaly light.

 

[Would'e?]

Basswood is a bit softer than Ash.
Basswood is a bit lighter than Ash (weight).

Basswood is a LOT softer and lighter than Ash. With regard to hardness Ash is suitable to make flooring out of, American basswood is barely harder than white pine.

However good basswood might be as a "tonewood" I would avoid it on a budget bass. Chances are it also has a budget finish and it will dent if you look at it too long. That might be different on pricier USA basswood basses with thick hard finishes like Bongos, but on budget models I wouldn't want to hope that whatever cheap finish the manufacturer used would be enough to protect my bass.

IMHO since wood is far behind electronics and other factors when it comes to sound I would vote to get the ASh SX because it is harder and prettier and then upgrade the pups.

Alternately you could get an agathis budget bass. That wood is as hard as ash and almost as light as basswood.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Basswood is a LOT softer and lighter than Ash.

I do agree with you here, but, it can be used on high end instruments as well though (top and back laminates, where basswood is just a core, that would do away with the dents too.).

 

[VroomVroom]

Thanks for providing more info.
One reason for the hedged and perhaps snarky answers is this:
The difference in body woods in solidbody instruments like electric bass is only one part, and probably a fairly small part, of the overall difference in sound. Things like pickups (and their placement), type of construction, even choice of strings, will all have an equal-or-greater impact on the sound of the bass as the choice of wood.
Especially at that price point, the difference in woods, sound or quality-wise, is fairly neglegible.

Both of those basses are considered good "value for the money" basses. Your nephew would be equally satisfied with either of them.

Excellent post. Probably also worth considering that two basses made from the same type of wood will in all likelihood sound different from one another. My best example is my MTD five string bass. I was able to A/B it against a near twin...same electronics (of course), same woods...and eerily similar grain patterns. The instruments could not have sounded any more different from one another.

Anyway, the moral for me applies here too. If possible, have your nephew play 'em both and see what works for him.

 

[edward681]

Go play them both and see which one YOU like best. Remember, Your the one thats going to have to live with it once you buy it. I prefer ash and alder. Basswood is soft and in my opinion sounds like wet cardboard. Like others posted earlier, Ash is on the bright side and alder, if your interested is just about as happy medium as you can get.