Whats the difference of woods?

[odin70]

Maybe Munjibunga can make some clips with his Shadowsky basses.

 

[Staccato]

I'll repeat what I said in another thread...A few years back, a friend and I did a test. I got 4 P Bass bodies, all 5 lbs (+/- 1 ounce)....woods tested were mahogany, alder, ash, and maple capped ash...In fact, we preferred alder as the best tone, with mahogany as a "second choice", for it's big fat thump. Alder was certainly the most balanced sounding.

Interesting. thank you for posting this! And, I'm wondering if Poplar would have been closer to Alder than the others...

-John

 

[mongo2]

Anectodal evidence isn't a personal thing.

That's precisely what it is in this case, a relating of one's personal experiences.

 

[bigbottomline]

then i'll say it again,

if what you claim is true, then Leo Fender, Paul Reed Smith, Seymour Duncan, David Hidalgo, Rusty Anderson, Bernardo Rico, Grover Jackson, Wayne Charvel, Nate Watts, Dee Murray, Rick Turner and Ron Wickersham are all wrong and your'e right. I personally have spoken with all of them in the past on this very subject, and every one of us has been in agreement with each other, so its up to everyone else to judge for themselves who they want to believe.

Sorry, but the appeal to popularity doesn't help solve this debate.

 

[peterpalmieri]

If they sound different, that might prove that wood sounds different than rubber.

To me, we're talking about the sonic difference between one wood type vs. another wood type.

I don't suspect that there's NO difference. I think wood type is one of many factors. But I suspect it's very minimal.

I'm wondering if the difference is so slight, it's not noticable to the human ear. Hence, the request for clips. So we all can hear the difference.

By your own words "I don't suspect" leads me to believe you actually have little to no experience actually listening and playing basses. With the thought of what the tonal differences may be all else being equal.

Forget sound clips, there is a much easier solution, just about everybody has a guitar center close enough. It would be hard not to find a P, J or musicman that has all the same specs accept the fingerboard or body wood. Go listen for yourself.

I've got 2 Alleva Coppolos at home one alder/rosewood the other ash/maple. The only other difference is 60s vs 70s pickup spacing. If the spacing was the same I would be happy to invite anybody over to give it a listen. Actually any of you are welcome to PM me if you are close and want to try them for yourself.

In any case see my prior post and tell me I'm wrong...

 

[mongo2]

Sorry, but the appeal to popularity doesn't help solve this debate.

There really is no debate, it just boils down to those that can hear a difference and those that can't.

 

[bigbottomline]

Even with all that, if someone can't hear the difference, no amount of samples demonstrating the point will help.

Yes, but if there actually is a noticeable difference, and hundreds (or more) of people listen, I think that will help.

 

[mongo2]

Yes, but if there actually is a noticeable difference, and hundreds (or more) of people listen, I think that will help.

I'm very doubtful about that. Everytime someone here tries to demonstrate something with clips they're often accused of rigging the test or some other such nonsense by those against what is being demonstrated.

 

[bigbottomline]

There really is no debate, it just boils down to those that can hear a difference and those that can't.

Sure. Like Lava cables and $500 AC cables?

 

[mongo2]

Sure. Like Lava cables and $500 AC cables?

LOL, yeah, just like that.

 

[bigbottomline]

My point is that since a double blind test isn't necessary to hear the difference between two basses in the store it's not necessary to have a double blind test to hear the difference between a bass where the body or neck is swapped for another since after the swap it's a different bass.

Nobody's walking about being able to pick out the type of wood used, like rosewood or maple fingerboards. It's much more basic than that.

Honestly, it sounds as if you're saying that the variable doesn't need to be isolated to determine if the variable is a factor. To which I disagree. But maybe you're not saying that?

 

[bigbottomline]

Maybe Munjibunga can make some clips with his Shadowsky basses.

+1

Very interested.

 

[mongo2]

Honestly, it sounds as if you're saying that the variable doesn't need to be isolated to determine if the variable is a factor. To which I disagree. But maybe you're not saying that?

No, I'm saying it doesn't require a double blind test.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Yes, but if there actually is a noticeable difference, and hundreds (or more) of people listen, I think that will help.

Here you go:

Ken's YouTube clips: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Ken has a clip of his:

Sadowsky ash/maple single coil pickups with 60s spacing

Alleva Coppolo LG5 alder/rosewood single coil pickups with 60s spacing

They are not the exact same basses but they are pretty close. I am sure this isn't good enough but it's close...

 

[mongo2]

+1

Very interested.

Then we're back to more than one variable since they're different basses.

Besides it's not the double blind test you want.

 

[bigbottomline]

In my modding, building and swapping of bodies and necks over 40 years I've gathered more than enough evidence to prove to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that wood effects the tone.

If others choose not to believe it, that's their loss.

It's their gain for not relying solely on anectodal evidence as proof of anything.

 

[bigbottomline]

That's precisely what it is in this case, a relating of one's personal experiences.

Let me clarify. If someone doesn't rely on anectodal evidence as proof, it's not a personal insult to the one offering the anectodal evidence.

 

[johnk_10]

Sorry, but the appeal to popularity doesn't help solve this debate.

it has nothing to do with popularity, it has to do with respecting the observations of those with ALOT of experience, of which i believe that you have very little of.

 

[peterpalmieri]

It's their gain for not relying solely on anectodal evidence as proof of anything.

Please describe to me in detail what anecdotal evidence you've gathered that has led you to the conclusion that the difference is little to none.

Details please, anything that may lead me to believe you have any experience to point to a contrary opinion.

What basses have you played that were identical accept the wood, did you own them, build them, play them in a store? What other parts were the bass made of? the type of bridge? the pickups? What kind of amp did you use?

How many times in your life have you done this?

 

[bigbottomline]

By your own words "I don't suspect" leads me to believe you actually have little to no experience actually listening and playing basses. With the thought of what the tonal differences may be all else being equal.

Forget sound clips, there is a much easier solution, just about everybody has a guitar center close enough. It would be hard not to find a P, J or musicman that has all the same specs accept the fingerboard or body wood. Go listen for yourself.

I've got 2 Alleva Coppolos at home one alder/rosewood the other ash/maple. The only other difference is 60s vs 70s pickup spacing. If the spacing was the same I would be happy to invite anybody over to give it a listen. Actually any of you are welcome to PM me if you are close and want to try them for yourself.

In any case see my prior post and tell me I'm wrong...

Of course you don't think I have much experience. My "I don't suspect" doesn't align with your conclusions.

I have plenty of experience, thanks, but you don't need to get ad hominem here. Again, this isn't personal, but some people are certainly taking it that way.

Your proposal wouldn't prove that wood type is the factor. It wouldn't elimate construction and quality control as a variable. But even Fender is getting more consistent these days, so it would be telling, I think. I will do that for sure.