Favorite Wood - Body

Favorite Wood - Body

  • Total voters
    81
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

Alder, followed closely by mahogany. Alder to me is a jack of all trades. Mahogany just has an unparalleled sound but I think it is not as flexible as alder (by a narrow margin mind you).
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

I like different woods for different purposes so it's tough to say overall. I love mahogany for my HB equipped guitars, the tonality and responsiveness of the mid-range and smoothness of the highs is exactly what I like there. For Strat's I really like Swamp Ash (given that it's actually good Swamp Ash as previously discussed), it has a certain open ringing quality for clean tones that I find beautiful; I have heard alder Strats that can match this tone well when they are exceptionally light pieces of alder (in fact my #1 strat is alder and has this great tone as well) but I find it to be more prevalent in Ash bodied Strats.

Overall I would say I lean towards Mahogany as my favorite, especially as it ages it is my favorite tone wood.
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

I love all woods and just about all guitars. They are my delight and fascination. They all have their purpose, some very unique. But that's what makes guitars so wonderful. Sometimes you have a favorite guitar/wood type because of its precision at producing a particular unique tone. Sometimes a particular guitar/wood type can be your favorite because it is very versatile and a jack of all trades. I love what they can do.

Maybe that's why I have so many guitars. They are all so wonderful.

Because of these feelings it was hard for me to answer the question, but I voted mahogany...I love the warmth and the rich midrange tones but I also love the snap that a good maple cap can give it.
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

In order; lightweight mahogany, lightweight swamp ash, korina, poplar.
Woods I would use if I had to; the lightweight asian mahogany Edwards uses for their LP130's, basswood, alder.
Poplar, basswood and alder I would either paint or top with maple.
Tops; quilted maple, flamed maple, spalted maple.
Body/top woods I can't afford but love; figured koa.
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

I really like the warm sound I'm getting from my new Ibanez AG95 which is made out of bubinga I believe.. my tele is alder and I LOVE it's weight and sound/resonance
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

I think my favourite wood body would have to be Lady Penelope from 'Thunderbirds' (the original marionette tv series, not the stupid movie with humans).
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

I need something light, with an equally light neck. I like carbon fiber, and graphite, but graphite has to be hollow to be light. My current Warmoth is swamp ash, that is chambered. 3lbs, 4oz., and it is real purty too.
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

visually, I like korina, swamp ash and flame maple for their visible grains. sonically, anything that rings louder and sustains longer. but I like the look of bloodwood and purpleheart too, so there you go. I'm spoiled but whatever. :p
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

Mahogany sounds rich with spruce for acoustics, for electrics, I have to go with alder. Mahogany is nice and fat, but can be so unbalanced too. Alder is resonant but still very balanced to my ears.
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

Good thread. I would have to say Mahogany, But, I have never played a Swamp Ash, Korina, Poplar, Alder or for that matter Carbon Fiber

So my vote really doesn't count.
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

I voted Alder - the lighter and drier, the better. There's a reason Leo chose it.

I like mahogany a lot, but it's got to be mixed with maple to have the right high end snap.

I like swamp ash on some guitars, but it's punchiness can fatigue my ears after awhile, whereas alder and mahogany doesn't.
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

Bubinga - I have found huge plank at my favourite timber merchant that's big enough for 1 piece explorer bodies ,dreading the day when it's all gone as it's probably the best wood I will ever use in my meagre luthiery career
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

Ifil wood. Almost exclusive to the Tropics - whether for drums or guitar produces a super bright and clear tone. Very hard to work with but for those that take the time and make the investment there have been some incredible results.
 
Re: Favorite Wood - Body

ChAoZ said:
Bubinga - I have found huge plank at my favourite timber merchant that's big enough for 1 piece explorer bodies ,dreading the day when it's all gone as it's probably the best wood I will ever use in my meagre luthiery career
Click to expand...

Bazinga???
 
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