Different woods and the effects it has on tone?

[Geekydad]

Here we go again...

Let's see- there's no solid evidence that wood affects tone in any substantial way (say, being more important than pickups or not), and setting up a scientific test is pretty impossible, given the number of variables involved.
That said, if you like the feel, and the weight, and the look of the instrument, and it makes a pleasing sound when you play it, then you've got a good instrument.
If you're designing an instrument, feel free to take tone wood into account, as it certainly can't hurt anything but your pocketbook, but also keep in mind weight, look/color, and whether or not the wood needs finished.

My bass is swamp ash and wenge/ebony. Tone was the least important factor, even though all those woods are known to have a good tone. The main considerations were weight (swamp ash body reduces the overall weight, since the neck is heavier), feel (wenge can be used raw; it feels faster than maple), durability, and look (ebony to withstand roundwounds and match the black hardware I intended to use.) I'm very happy with the tone as well, but I'm very happy with the entire instrument for all the reasons above.

 

[Hot Rats]

I have one example that is perplexing. It's my 2001 G&L JB-2. I have had 5 sets of jazz pups in her over the years and every time, the bass sounds very dark. Does not matter what pups are in there, it sounds darker than the basses the same pups were in previously. Same capacitor and pots, but it is absolutely darker and I don't know why. Same strings too. Is it the wood? Who knows.

 

[Trabeen]

I think your a bit off on your explanation

Lesson learned - the only proven, and thus best, method of scientifically quantifying the difference between two similar objects (cheeseburgers, light bulbs, kittens, golf pants, Kleenex, etc..) is to whomp them with a hammer.

 

[4stringmachinepete]

Over the years I've switched from Maple to Rosewood necks because I hear more clarity with the Rosewood that's the only thing I have to say. Also I might be completely wrong...

 

[birminghambass]

I prefer whatever wood my bass is made of. Unless I find another bass I like better, then I prefer that wood.
Actually, all of my basses are black so I think black painted wood is best. So to answer your question: maybe.

 

[kkaarrll]

some basses I can feel it against my chest better

some I cannot

what I find more interesting in this debate--is what does the actual wood FEEL like and how much will that impact you pickup up that instrument vs another?


I love the feel of wenge----wenge custom on the way

 

[ZorgRift]

james woods is the best woods for tone. american made awwwwyeah

 

[bikeplate]

Usually that's what I'd do ang I 100% agree. Problem is, it's in Japan and there's no testing it

Ok. In that case I'm partial to light swamp ash solid bodies. But I own alder also

 

[Mikey F]

Believe whatever you want. However I had 2 Warwick Thumbs....1 was a 98 stock model Ovangkol/wenge and the other was a 2003 LTD Maple/ash. I hated the Maple one as it was way too bright and sounded nothing like a Thumb is supposed to sound like. Same electronics and pick up placement. Same strings. You are kidding yourself if you think it makes no difference. Sorry to feed the trolls. Bye.

 

[thebassguy86]

Nah man, tone comes from the air surrounding the bass. It's a spiritual thing man. You know, like God and stuff. To sum it up, angels bring you your tone from heaven and put it into you fingers and it expresses itself through your pickup man. And then the strings vibrate the wood in the neck and body man. Not the neck and body of you bass, but your actual neck and body, man.

Whatever...

 

[bassbenj]

Nah man, tone comes from the air surrounding the bass. It's a spiritual thing man. You know, like God and stuff. To sum it up, angels bring you your tone from heaven and put it into you fingers and it expresses itself through your pickup man. And then the strings vibrate the wood in the neck and body man. Not the neck and body of you bass, but your actual neck and body, man.

Whatever...

Dude I can dig it, but angels put less tone in basswood (in spite of the name) than they do in alder. This is truth, man.

 

[jazzyvee]

I have one example that is perplexing. It's my 2001 G&L JB-2. I have had 5 sets of jazz pups in her over the years and every time, the bass sounds very dark. Does not matter what pups are in there, it sounds darker than the basses the same pups were in previously. Same capacitor and pots, but it is absolutely darker and I don't know why. Same strings too. Is it the wood? Who knows.

See the common thing to all those is the fingers and as we have read so many times on these forums, that is where the tone comes from and that is making everything some similar.
Fingers override everything else.....

 

[/\/\3phist0]

The answer is at about 1:41

 

[ChefKen]

 

[Scottkarch]

Believe whatever you want. However I had 2 Warwick Thumbs....1 was a 98 stock model Ovangkol/wenge and the other was a 2003 LTD Maple/ash. I hated the Maple one as it was way too bright and sounded nothing like a Thumb is supposed to sound like. Same electronics and pick up placement. Same strings. You are kidding yourself if you think it makes no difference. Sorry to feed the trolls. Bye.

Sample size of 1 is too small to mean anything. Sorry.

 

[descendent22]

Then there's about 42 other things that I'd worry more about than the wood it is made of. I'd never ever buy a bass without playing it first.

Oh I'm not worried at all about the wood it is. Was curios to know about tone woods. 42 other things, nah I mean maybe for you, I only have a rule of 4

 

[BJMtz]

You are all wrong. It's the dings and scratches and the stories that they tell that has the most effect on tone. That's why relics suck and you have to play a bass for a hundred years so it builds up lots of tone experience.

 

[Mikey F]

Whatever....again you can believe whatever you want. My sample size is much bigger than 1.... I was just giving 1 example. It makes a big difference to me, if it doesn't to you, that is fine.

 

[Deleted member 264575]

 

[Alexander]

While I agree wood is only one ingredient in the tone formula, those of you that say there is ZERO affect need your hearing checked. I certainly hear a difference. Nearly every reputable luthier - from the guys at FCS to Bob Taylor to Roger Sadowsky to ??? - will tell you there's a difference. These threads?