Tone Wood, Again

[micguy]

The conversation about tone wood. Yes again. In a recent thread here, there was a discussion about Dano construction

So which composite in a Dano has the best tone, Formica or Masonite?

I realize you are making a joke, but the construction of Dano's makes body's absorption of the string's vibrational energy much more relevant that it is with a solid bodied instrument. As a result, the materials they used are also much more relevant in that case. Do I think they spent a lot of time doing research on the best material for that construction? No. Do the body's construction and materials affect the tone? Absolutely.

I have a Masonite bench - made many decades ago, it was my Dad's bench (he's gone on to the great workshop in the sky). It's heavy, it's thick (an inch and a quarter), it's stiff, it's as tough as anything around, and I love the thing.

 

[micguy]

But I guess we could call bakelite a tone brass? (or tone metall)

Bakelite is an early plastic material. No metal involved.

 

[Drredplate]

Bakelite is an early plastic material. No metal involved.

Fantastic material urea formaldehyde? Excellent insulator used to make electrical stuff. When it gets hot it stinks of fish which gives you a heads up of imminent electrical failure.
When it first came out it was cutting edge technology and not cheap . Rolls Royce used it to makes gear knobs for this reason

 

[Bent77]

I realize you are making a joke, but the construction of Dano's makes body's absorption of the string's vibrational energy much more relevant that it is with a solid bodied instrument. As a result, the materials they used are also much more relevant in that case. Do I think they spent a lot of time doing research on the best material for that construction? No. Do the body's construction and materials affect the tone? Absolutely.

I have a Masonite bench - made many decades ago, it was my Dad's bench (he's gone on to the great workshop in the sky). It's heavy, it's thick (an inch and a quarter), it's stiff, it's as tough as anything around, and I love the thing.

Oh definitely tongue in cheek. It’s one of the quirks that makes a Dano!

 

[tr4252]

What's the best metal for metal?

I remember in the 70's/80's brass was was said to enhance a stringed instrument's sound.

Tom

 

[Dominic D]

Where did this idea that Dano replaced Masonite with Formica come from? I’ve heard people online say this for a long time but I’ve never seen any proof. They are not at all similar materials. Formica is a thin laminate used for aesthetics only. It’s not for structural use. Dano may have used Formica (the ones with the fake wood tops) but it would’ve been glued to the Masonite.

 

[CryingBass]

If a tonewood falls in a forest, would we hear it? In tune?

 

[Drredplate]

Forget about Masonite plaster board is the way forwards!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Oh, Jeezzz............... another "Formica vs. Masonite" thread...................

Hey, I didn't start this thing

 

[ricknote]

The conversation about tone wood. Yes again. In a recent thread here, there was a discussion about Dano construction

So which composite in a Dano has the best tone, Formica or Masonite?

This is, of course, another silly conversation. The Genius of Nathan Daniels was so far less worried about the eventual tone of these guitars as he designed them, than creating something with what materials he had to work with post World War II. Including the creation of his brilliant pickups made from available lipstick tubes. Had he had the available construction techniques and materials of today, I believe his designs would have been far different. This is no different than Leo Fender choosing Alder as a body wood simply because it was available in every lumber yard. This was a different period in time when all available resources were limited. Kudos to these gentlemen, for working with what they had, and creating great instruments.

 

[covermego]

Hey, I didn't start this thing

I saw what you did..... oh, wait.... I saw what I did there.........but I admit, it took a minute....

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Mic

Bakelite is an early plastic material. No metal involved.

I know! I was just kidding!

I have a Masonite bench - made many decades ago

Interesting! How does it sound with flats?

it was my Dad's bench

Nothing better than old sturdy stuff with a family back ground!


Wise

 

[Bass V]

it's all about the chambering and climate change issues they incur, thankfully those are negligible.

 

[5StringBlues]

l like the cut of your gibberish!

Yeah, that’s what you’d call a “counter argument”.

 

[cnltb]

Would anyone notice?

Well...

 

[dagrev]

For you go the Formica or laminate, if you can find (what used to be called tuff surf--it is (or was) for commercial are much more durable), which made it ideal for metal and punk. For Jazz, a color core should be used.

 

[Bent77]

For you go the Formica or laminate, if you can find (what used to be called tuff surf--it is (or was) for commercial are much more durable), which made it ideal for metal and punk. For Jazz, a color core should be used.

Maybe a coral color core?

 

[bucephylus]

The conversation about tone wood. Yes again. In a recent thread here, there was a discussion about Dano construction

So which composite in a Dano has the best tone, Formica or Masonite?

Of course, a humorous knuckleball at the “tonewood” aficionados. I get that.

In the context of a greater “Materials of Construction” view of bass guitars, what seems a joke is actually part of a larger question.

Both wood and human engineered composites have been used for MI construction for about 5 decades now. There was a time when gigs were more plentiful, popular music was more widely embraced, and the instruments for said performance were under more enthusiastic and varied development. “Tonewood” was a part of that sub-culture, which also included other human engineered alternatives.

At this point in time, many gigs have retrenched into more of a “Classic” footing; and the original Fender designs have returned to prominence. Which makes the alternative designs / constructions seem a bit without purpose, and vulnerable to satire.

Still, stuff that goes around comes around. Bass players may spend 12 hours a day practicing (pretty rare); but, there are still those idle moments to wonder about what the “perfect” bass may be. Which of course doesn’t exist. Still, we wonder about it.

Since the designs / constructions affect the perceived performance result, we tend to retain a love / hate relation with this space; loving the alternatives and hating the wasted time and money.

If anything, we are our own punchline.

 

[Geogio]

What's the best metal for metal?

I remember in the 70's/80's brass was was said to enhance a stringed instrument's sound.

Tom

Brass nuts do enhance the sound... but only in the open position. Once the player frets, the stop is a metal fret (assuming the neck is fretted of course).