nato?

[drew_half_empty]

I saw a samick guitar today, a royale (REALLY underrated by the way) so i went & looked at the specs & it apparently has a nato top. I've never heard of nato, so, does anyone know what the tonal characteristics of it are?

 

[Xeromus]

Re: nato?

it's very similar to mahogany, used as a substitue sometimes.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: nato?

yeah but HOW similar, really really similar?

also, what pickups are in these things, it says duncan designed, and they got covers, but i can't find anywhere that says exactly which ones they are

if they're hb-101's I'm gonna be EXTREMELY happy

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: nato?

nato LOOKS like mahogany but has a tone that falls closer to alder...it is slightly warmer that alder...as a general rule I like nato...it is a good cheep wood, but it can be a real pain to finish!

 

[Neeradj]

Re: nato?

The strange thing about Nato is that I'm not sure whether it's just a japanese name for Mahogany. You see, your Ibanez USA site says the SZ320/520 have mahogany bodies and neck, but the dutch and japanese Ibanez says they have Nato bodies and mahogany necks. It'd be rather weird that USA players get mahogany bodies while we have to settle with a rip off, so I was thinking it's the same thing. I can't safely say though, but my guess is that they either have to be the same thing or extremely similar

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: nato?

nato LOOKS like mahogany but has a tone that falls closer to alder...it is slightly warmer that alder...as a general rule I like nato...it is a good cheep wood, but it can be a real pain to finish!

well it's already finnished, heh

so it's sort of between basswood & alder?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: nato?

I have a couple of Yamaha's with slab Nato bodies and they're very similar to mahogany, but with a bit of a kick in the upper midrange. Not a bad sound at all, but it's not going to sound like a good cut of mahogany, if that's what you're after.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: nato?

I wouldn't say i'm AFTER anything, except a guitar that fits me

as newbie ish as it sounds, it's really what we're all after

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: nato?

well it's already finnished, heh

so it's sort of between basswood & alder?

NOTHING like basswood...more like a cross between mahogany and alder but closer to alder in tone

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: nato?

so, anyone know about the pickups?

I'm hoping scott or someone else will chime in

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: nato?

I betcha they're HB-102s.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: nato?

ah dang, i hate the jb

anyone know where i can buy duncan designed hb-101's? If i get this guitar I'd like to drop them in till i can afford a '59 set

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: nato?

bump

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: nato?

bump, scott, i need to know about those pickups

 

[dani]

Re: nato?

The strange thing about Nato is that I'm not sure whether it's just a japanese name for Mahogany. You see, your Ibanez USA site says the SZ320/520 have mahogany bodies and neck, but the dutch and japanese Ibanez says they have Nato bodies and mahogany necks. It'd be rather weird that USA players get mahogany bodies while we have to settle with a rip off, so I was thinking it's the same thing. I can't safely say though, but my guess is that they either have to be the same thing or extremely similar

not to hijack the thread, but last i check, ibanez japan site listed mahogany for bodies on both the sz320/520.

 

[Neeradj]

Re: nato?

They seem to have changed that, for I've just checked and saw the same thing! Anyway I can point out fierce discussions between me and a few Ibanez fans who were trying to convince me the SZ was made out of Nato

 

[nuntius]

Re: nato?

anyone know where i can buy duncan designed hb-101's? If i get this guitar I'd like to drop them in till i can afford a '59 set

That's kinda false economy, you're only gonna lose money on the hb-101's and end up spending more in the long run to replace them... Just wait it out and check the trading room for s/h 59's

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: nato?

The RL-3 is a Topself guitar IMHO. Gregg Bennett did a great job designing
that model. My Cousin picked up a RL-3 and loves it. But the PuPs had to
go. I can't remember what model DD's where in it?? But I put a PG's, APH
combo in it for him,And it sounded Awesome !! As far as nato wood Like
everyone said... It's Mahogany like and a desent tone wood. The only
bummer about the RL-3 is the foto finish maple top But for
a Lil' over $400 ya can't expect fancy woods. :13:

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: nato?

actually i was checkin out the rl-2

the rl-3 has a maple top, rl-2 has a nato top

thats the only difference i can find between the 2, and i'm starting to think i'd actually like nato more, and the rl-2 is a lot cheaper & comes in JET BLACK