spanish cedar body wood

There are different kinds of cedar, I think, and I'm not sure Spanish cedar is the sam eas what's used for acoustic guitar topps (which is what Rick Turner uses).

Roscoe uses a lot of Spanish cedar for bodies--it's very light and resonant, rather "acoustic" sounding compared to the mahogany or ash. Of the Roscoes I've played, my favorites have almost always been Spanish cedar.

Mike

 

I know Keith Roscoe and Ken Bensebee use it as a body wood, (so it's okay by me!).

Roscoe, who offers it as a standard choice body wood says they use it, "for lighter weight and a more acoustical sound."

I've seen it described as being similar as a tonewood to Honduran mahogany, but because it is a tad lighter in weight, it sounds brighter. Classical guitar makers who have been using it for necks say the same thing.

Here's a Spanish Cedar top plate by Bensebee -

 

Bebensee can really make some nice exotic bass huh!?

 

I've got Matt Schmill's FBB #12-99;
it's a fretless 5 w/ spanish cedar body/curly maple top. I'd liken the overall tone to mahogany + the brightness that the maple top adds.
It's a fine wood, and the comments so far seem pretty accurate as far as what I've experienced...
Smells nice too. No moths in the studio!
I'm sure he'd share some of his expertise with you, he's very helpful. He shows up in the newsgroups occasionally.

if the attachment doesn't work, it's in this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20300&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

 

The only basses I've played that used the Spanish Cedar were the Roscoes.As everyone has said this particular wood does have an acoustic warm woody sound.The next Roscoe I get will definitley have that for the body wood,it's one of my most favorite tones.(spoken with backwoods hick "Deliverence" accent)That Ken Bensebee sure is purty!!!