Dr. Vegetable
New member
Re: Pickups for mahogany Tele???
You did *not* just bring carpet cheese into this discussion!
You did *not* just bring carpet cheese into this discussion!
I'm not in my 60s. Such myths are perpetuated largely by people who are, though. They didn't know any better when they were taught the mythology of "tonewoods," but younger guitarists have no excuse with the wealth of technical resources available on the internet.
Please stop misusing the word science. You're giving us people who don't wave the word around like idiots a bad name.
If it is subjective, it isn't science.
If it is out of bounds for proper experimentation, it isn't science.
Tone is subjective - therefore it works for both sides of this argument, someone saying a certain wood species sounds bad is being foolish. Someone who claims they get a great or even better tone with plywood just as with an actual hardwood guitar and that hardwood is inferior is just as foolish. Science? No. Opinion? Yes.
You cannot properly conduct an experiment for woods sounding different in musical instruments. For guitars and its variants, here is why:
- You can test/measure sound frequencies easily, just as with pickups, but it is difficult if not impossible to test/measure dynamics, just as with pickups.
- Quality of electronics used. To have the EXACT SAME control variables between guitars to prove guitars and the woods used have no impact in sound you'd have to use potentiometers with the EXACT same reading down to the last ohm, the same brand and type of wires used, same exact AMOUNT of wire used, exact amount of solder used in the exact same places, same length of pickup hookup wires, same amp, same bias, same type and brand of tubes, same amount of usage time with tubes, same strings, same amount of usage on strings, same fretwire, same usage of frets, same nut, same bridge, same tuning pegs, same scale, same intonation, exact same action down to the last nanometer, same entire bridge setup, same type of finish, same thickness of finish, same amount of wear on finish, same amount of time since application of finish, same amp rectifier with same amount of usage, same amount of voltage amp is receiving, same microphone in same exact placement, exact same amp settings, the list goes on...
Also the sound is affected by compression of sound files, the brand and model of microphone used will also impact the sound. You would need to have at least ALL of these controls, and change only the types of wood and you still will not get a completely accurate result due to the inability to test/measure dynamics. A guitar's tone cannot be tested, and therefore does not fall into the margins of science.
By the way before you call me delusional and a blind believer, I did not say my view or opinion on the wood issue. I could very well agree completely with you, and I can also disagree completely. You have no idea what I think and that is to keep you free from bias.