Yes. A zombie thread that perpetuates the myth that alder is a hard wood. It's a medium wood, with a clean grain that is very easy to work and takes a finish well. It is no harder than polar, which has a much more erratic grain and often takes a translucent finish very poorly. For instruments, it's generally used when the instrument will get a solid color finish.
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Poplar as a tone wood
- Thread starter reel big bassist
- Start date
the problem with poplar is not the sound (actually it sounds similar to alder), is the weight. I remember my poplar mex Jazz Bass diving too much. Musicman Bongo is poplar too, but the body size is massive so the balance is better...
My thumb nt5 has a Birdseye poplar top w swamp ash back. This thing sings from the top of the low end mountain. Looks pretty nice, too (even with the clear satin finish). 
Here's a better shot from the Warwick site.
And an Action Jackson shot for good measure.
Here's a better shot from the Warwick site.
And an Action Jackson shot for good measure.
My thumb nt5 has a Birdseye poplar top w swamp ash back. This thing sings from the top of the low end mountain. Looks pretty nice, too (even with the clear satin finish).
Here's a better shot from the Warwick site.
And an Action Jackson shot for good measure. View attachment 384013
I was wondering when someone was going to mention the Warwick Birdseye poplar basses.
I can attest to the great punchy tone these basses have. I have the 2006 LE bolt-on which has a nicely worked finish - definitely no problems there. OK, so it's important to mention that this bass has a poplar top on an ash body, although it is a pretty thick poplar top. Fretboard is ebony on a three piece ash neck so it's obviously a combination of these woods, not to mention the choice of pickups (MEC) that must all be factors influencing the tone.
For a brief overview of tonewoods check here
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The Magnatone H-10 Hurricane bass has a poplar body. Mine all have sunburst finishes that have held up very well and are *very* light (in addition to arguably having the fastest necks I have ever played). Depending on the settings, I can get the single pickup to mimic either a Fender, a Gibson, or a Ric.
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The Magnatone H-10 Hurricane bass has a poplar body. Mine all have sunburst finishes that have held up very well and are *very* light (in addition to arguably having the fastest necks I have ever played). Depending on the settings, I can get the single pickup to mimic either a Fender, a Gibson, or a Ric.
Bongo is basswood (apart from the mahogany honey burst limited run) but some of the MM SR4 and SR5 basses from late 80s/early 90s have poplar bodies (generally solid finishes and some trans - possibly blueburst) and also the USA Subs. Can weigh slightly more than ash in some cases but possibly a little mellower on tone).
Roy Vogt
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- Sep 20, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
I don't have a 30 year old poplar bass, but my oldest Carvin LB76 is 21 years old and I haven't noticed a problem with stability, although after 21 years it's taken a dent or two. The early 90s basses used poplar body sides with a center maple neck through the body. The only issue I've had with an earlier Carvin was a neck problem with one of my 6s that Carvin replaced, the body wood hasn't been a problem yet.
I had a 5 string with painted poplar body sides and it sounded fine as well as fretted and fretless 6 strings with flamed and quilted maple caps on poplar body wings and they sounded fine (I still own the fretless and it sees regular use 21 years on).
I had a 5 string with painted poplar body sides and it sounded fine as well as fretted and fretless 6 strings with flamed and quilted maple caps on poplar body wings and they sounded fine (I still own the fretless and it sees regular use 21 years on).
Had a USA made SUB Stingray and it was made of poplar. Sounded great to me! In fact, it pretty much sounded just like my other USA made Musicman Stringray made of ash. I don't see anything negative about poplar. May not wanna use if for clear and translucent finishes but other than that, it's just fine.
Heck..........alder and swamp ash both vary tremendously. Some being softer, harder, lighter, heavier from body to body. Wood is very inconsistent!
If you're happy with your poplar body Jazz Bass..............then don't let anyone convince you otherwise!
(By the way...........Aero J Bass pickups RULE!)
Heck..........alder and swamp ash both vary tremendously. Some being softer, harder, lighter, heavier from body to body. Wood is very inconsistent!
If you're happy with your poplar body Jazz Bass..............then don't let anyone convince you otherwise!
(By the way...........Aero J Bass pickups RULE!)
Poplar is an inexpensive hardwood. It has a funky greenish tint in the grain so it is rarely used other than under non transparent finishes. If you like the way the bass sounds, then it is a good tone wood.
From Warmoth site:
Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera):
This is another standard body wood having been used by many companies over the years. Due to the grey/green color, this wood is used mostly when solid color finishes are to be applied. Its weight generally runs about one half pound more than Alder. Tonally, it is similar to Alder as well. Poplar is a closed grain wood that accepts finish well. A poplar body blank is slightly cheaper than alder so I wont call it ''inexpensive''.
Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera):
This is another standard body wood having been used by many companies over the years. Due to the grey/green color, this wood is used mostly when solid color finishes are to be applied. Its weight generally runs about one half pound more than Alder. Tonally, it is similar to Alder as well. Poplar is a closed grain wood that accepts finish well. A poplar body blank is slightly cheaper than alder so I wont call it ''inexpensive''.
When I worked in a cabinet shop we'd use poplar for units with an opaque finish. It worked similarly to maple, though not as hard. It's just not an attractive wood. Lots of green streaking.
Fender JP90's have a Poplar body maple neck and Rosewood fretboard. I have no problems with her at all. Great tone and very light bass. Furniture companies used to make desks and tables of Poplar but with a red cherry stain, the grains were similar to Cherry, you really wouldn't know unless they were sanded down. You are right Tulip Wood sounds Richer ? Lol.
I,ve got 2 basses made from poplar but I like tulipwood-nice one.
One is a USA SUB and the other is a Peavey forum 95 and neither is short of tone.
One is a USA SUB and the other is a Peavey forum 95 and neither is short of tone.
