Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

[6stringerguy]

Ive since two guitars and one has a mahogany body with a rock maple and wenge neck while the other is a chambered swamp ash body with rock maple neck and carbon fibre reinforcement rods which would have a tighter tone? (All other specs are identical)


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[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

I've got one of each; both with Maple Necks, Duncan CS MJ RTM in Ash one and a Forum Bro Hybrid A2 Custom Custom/JB (which I LOVE...my EVH Tone Guitar) in Mahogany one...both wired to DiMarzio 500k Vol/Fender TBX Tone/3 Way, OFR w/Big Brass Block - the Ash (Heavy Black Ash) Tele is way more compressed and tight where the Mahogany Iceman is open and airy/loose.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

I've got one of each; both with Maple Necks, Duncan CS MJ RTM in Ash one and a Forum Bro Hybrid A2 Custom Custom/JB (which I LOVE...my EVH Tone Guitar) in the in Mahogany...both wired to DiMarzio 500k Vol/Fender TBX Tone/3 Way, OFR w/Big Brass Block - the Ash (Heavy Black Ash) Tele is way more compressed and tight where the Mahogany Iceman is open and airy/loose.

Other than the wood they are identical in pickups, scale length and construction
Multiscale design 27.5 to 25.5
Mainly would use it for progressive and tight modern metal and just wondering which model would be more appropriate?

 

[Demanic]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

Black Winters.

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[6stringerguy]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

Black Winters.

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Got a guitar with black winters and due to the slant of the pickups on this particular instrument, the pickups can't be changed however I'm just wondering with tonewood combination is better for the modern progressive style of metal?

 

[Demanic]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

Sorry, misunderstood the question.
Looking at what you have in each, I'd say , six of one, half dozen of the other.


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[AlexR]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

There can sometimes be a surprise result to that question. Both Mahogany and the chambering to the Ash will tend to soften the lows, talking typically.

But both woods are quite variable, so quite frankly the only way to really know is to audition both.

If that is not possible due to you choosing options from a catalogue, then I'd tend to favour the Ash myself.

 

[dave74]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

If you're after tight modern metal then I'm assuming you'll be using pickups of the higher-output ceramic metal-oriented type, therefore I say go with the mahogany body with the maple neck.

If you were set on having the alnico warmth then I'd say get the ash.

My point is that you just can't really remove pickups from the equation.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

If you're after tight modern metal then I'm assuming you'll be using pickups of the higher-output ceramic metal-oriented type, therefore I say go with the mahogany body with the maple neck.

If you were set on having the alnico warmth then I'd say get the ash.

My point is that you just can't really remove pickups from the equation.

The bridge pickup is an alnico 8 (9.3k) magnet and the neck is alnico 2 (8.0k)

 

[dave74]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

The bridge pickup is an alnico 8 (9.3k) magnet and the neck is alnico 2 (8.0k)

Oh wow, those are not what I expected for pickups. Those should/could have some good clarity and good high-end.
I'd be inclined to go with the mahogany body anyways due to it being solid,,,,,,,,,,,I've never heard/played a chambered ash body though.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

Oh wow, those are not what I expected for pickups. Those should/could have some good clarity and good high-end.
I'd be inclined to go with the mahogany body anyways due to it being solid,,,,,,,,,,,I've never heard/played a chambered ash body though.

The necks are very different too, the mahogany guitar has a 5 piece rock maple and wenge neck (RM-W-RM-W-RM) while the chambered alder guitar is just rock maple with carbon fibre rods
Both have identical pickups with identical slants, magnets, output and the hardware is identical

 

[Mincer]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

I'd think the ash is tighter sounding. It seems to have more of a percussive 'thwack' to it.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

I'd think the ash is tighter sounding. It seems to have more of a percussive 'thwack' to it.

It's chambered to lighten it but would that reduce the percussiveness and tightness of the tone?

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

my Gibson in my sig
is weight releaved Swamp Ash
with a Maple neck

it growls just fine
and weighs about 7 pounds

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

If it comes down to just looks it's between these two

 

[greekdude]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

I've got one of each; both with Maple Necks, Duncan CS MJ RTM in Ash one and a Forum Bro Hybrid A2 Custom Custom/JB (which I LOVE...my EVH Tone Guitar) in Mahogany one...both wired to DiMarzio 500k Vol/Fender TBX Tone/3 Way, OFR w/Big Brass Block - the Ash (Heavy Black Ash) Tele is way more compressed and tight where the Mahogany Iceman is open and airy/loose.

maybe the trem springs of your looser of the two are a little noisy or not as tight ? Noisy trem block springs can make a tight setup sound loose.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Mahogany vs Swamp Ash for tight modern metal tones

It's chambered to lighten it but would that reduce the percussiveness and tightness of the tone?

I have a chambered ash body on my Warmoth, and the percussiveness is pretty prevalent.