Rosewood BODIES?

T

The Don

New member
I've been looking at different wood types and their tonal properties out of boredom recently. After skimming over Warmoth's site I discovered Rosewood bodies and necks. Apparently George Harrison had an all-Rosewood tele some time ago. Hey, if it's good enough for him, why haven't more people tried it?

After doing some more reading it appears that Rosewood makes an excellent body OR top wood ...... what kind of tonal properties would an all-rosewood body have? I wonder what kind of wood would match up well with Rosewood as a top.

Anyone try it?
 
Re: Rosewood BODIES?

its kinda heavy but the stuff ive played that was all rosewood has been very resonant and has had full mids
 
Re: Rosewood BODIES?

its very heavey, as had been said allready.

also, unless im mistaken, it must cost a fortune.
 
Re: Rosewood BODIES?

From my personal experiences, guitars that weigh a lot seem to have a thicker, "bigger" sound than guitars that don't ... how would a rosewood guitar compare in tone to that of a mahogany/maple Les Paul? And on the other end, how would it compare to an Alder or Ash bodied Strat?
 
Re: Rosewood BODIES?

Gibson, made a limited number (100 I think) of rosewood topped Les Paul Custom's in the mid seventy's. They had mahogany backs. They're a great looking guitar, and they're on my must own list. If rosewood is heavy, and it's on a 70's Les Paul, that should make for a 15 pound Les Paul.


Sprinter
 
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Re: Rosewood BODIES?

generally heavier (like real heavy- rosewood) will dampen vibrations...its not just the wood, it is the oil inside too. it looks good, thats why people used it. lighter woods (or woods with a good combo of air and wood) resonate better, and will sound more complex.
also, really nice figured rosewood is endangered, and pieces big enough for bodies are really hard to find. i don't think it is worth wiping out a species just to have a nice looking guitar.
 
Re: Rosewood BODIES?

darkshadow turned me on to a guy who is offering solid brazilian rosewood bass and strat guitar bodies. The price is pretty reasonable, and DS and I were talking about working something out on the deal. I got sidetracked and had some issues with my old paypal account, and haven't had time to get back to thinking about it, but now this has my interest peaked again.

DS, I'll give you a shout here this weekend and we'll see what we can work out if the stuff is still available.
 
Re: Rosewood BODIES?

I played a rosewood tele (it's a different company, but same body shape as fender). That thing weighed around 20lbs!! No I'm not kidding! It was the heavies guitar I have ever played. It didn't sound really great either. save your money, and just get a rosewood neck.
 
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