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Dumbass question

Fawkes007

Fawkes007

Sep 13, 2005
869
18
SF Bay Area
#1
Ok, so like, I'm going to have a bass built for me, right? But, like, what I want to know, OK, is like, what is better for body wood, alder or ash.

So, like, all you guys and gals, what is, like, your favorite wood for the body, and like, why? OK?

Bitchin'.

And Happy Holidays.
 
#2
Here's something from the Peavey website.

Alder.

Alder is used extensively for bodies because of its lighter weight and its full sound. Its closed grain makes this wood easy to finish. Alder's natural color is a light tan, with little or no distinct grain lines
Click to expand...

Ash.

This is a very musical wood offering a very nice balance of brightness and warmth with lots of "pop". It also has good bottom end. The grain is open and creamy.
Click to expand...

In my opinion, alder is used for more of a vintage sound, and ash is more modern.
 
#3
KeithBMI said:
In my opinion, alder is used for more of a vintage sound, and ash is more modern.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say that. My favorite Fenders from the '70's were Ash and they sound pretty darn vintage to me.

I suggest dropping by this site and reading up on it. Invalid Link Removed

The best wood for a body depends on the construction, electronics and other woods.
 
#6
lamborghini98 said:
NICE usage of the word "like"

sorry, I had to.

oh, and "tubular," too. thats guts you have there.
Click to expand...

LOL. Don't mind me, it's Christmas day and I have been wracking my brain over woods for this bass I am supposedly going to order. I want to make sure I get it right so that I don't pull a "what was I thinking???"

Fingerboard wood should be easier, as I am a rosewood guy...though I may go with cocobolo, which is more like ebony (so I hear).

And top woods...too many choices.

TOO...MANY...CHOICES!!!!!

That, and I'm out of scotch...
 
#10
fretless freak, I believe my KSD Proto-J is swamp ash with rosewood, and it sounds pretty nice acoustic. I can't tell you how it sounds through an amp because i may or may not have a rumble 60 watt combo.... but the low end is nice and full, while the high end isn't *insert bad adjective to describe high end here*
 
#11
I always think of alder of having a 'round' tone and ash as more 'edgy' or coarse - but very subtle differences. I like the look of ash grain under a transparent or semi transparent finish. If the finish is opaque the grain makes no difference, of course. Finally, ash can be noticeably heavier than alder, but not necessarily - depends on the plank.
 
#13
Fawkes007 said:
Ok, so like, I'm going to have a bass built for me, right? But, like, what I want to know, OK, is like, what is better for body wood, alder or ash.
Click to expand...

Um, like, so have you um, like spoken to the luthier dude or dudette that supposedly, like, will build the bass for you? :D

Sorry, couldn't resist.

IMO, if a luthier has no input/opinions about how an instrument should or could be made, I'd think twice before signing the check.

PS. There is no "best" wood. I have in the past, or currently own basses made from: Koa, Ash, Alder, Cherry and Soft Maple. They all sounded different. I liked them all except the B string of the Soft Maple (34" scale) bass.

Peace.
 

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