Swamp ash or alder?

[rspst14]

Hey guys, which do you like better for a Strat body? I looked over the descriptions on Warmoth's site, they both sound pretty similar to me. I'm thinking about selling the Strat body I have and picking up a body from the Warmoth showcase to complete my Strat project. I'm not sure if I should go with alder or swamp ash, any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Ryan

 

[3 cent hero]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

they sound 95% the same to me, with the alder just that little bit more fuller sounding IMO. if you're going to do a trans finish, swamp ash looks alot more appealing.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

Both are good choise's . The only thing you should be aware of if it's raw
wood and you plan on finishing it yourself?? Alder is easier to work with.
Ash is a pourous wood and needs to be grain filled. If the body your
getting is already finished? You can go wrong with ether

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

Personally I prefer alder. Thicker, more even tone. But I´m really starting to dig the punch and added brightness of Swamp ash

I´d say alder lends itself more to a more "rockish" style due to it´s warmer tone, particularly with a Bridge humbucker. But ash sonds "cleaner", and suits such styles better IMO (including shred-metal).

But like KMC said, you can go wrong with either :laugh2::laugh2:

 

[rspst14]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

Thanks guys...the bodies I'm looking at are already finished in a solid color, so that's not a problem. I will be using this with three single coils, and I should point out that the neck is made of goncalo, which is warmer than a typical maple Strat neck. The fretboard is ebony with stainless steel frets, so that should add some brightness. Still, I think the neck is probably a little warmer than a rosewood on maple neck.

Ryan

 

[3 cent hero]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

i fixed my post above, mixed the wood names up. i'm a ****ing moron, sorry :lmao:

 

[presa_tito]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

If you want the body painted then get the alder. If you like natural, then I think ash is best. I just got my natural N4 in ash and it sounds awesome. It's so light too, feels like a toy compared to a les paul. I don't know if it's lighter than alder, but my guitar sure is light.

 

[Sprinter]

Mahogany

Mahogany

I prefer mahogany bodies. Mahogany, will mellow out the tone of single coil pickups. If the only choice is alder, or ash, I'd go for alder.


Sprinter

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

would mahogany eliminate some quack power of the strat? I presume strats have that funky tone because of the maple neck/maple fretboard alder/swamp ash body and SSS config-the ultimate bright tone!

 

[Sprinter]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

would mahogany eliminate some quack power of the strat? I presume strats have that funky tone because of the maple neck/maple fretboard alder/swamp ash body and SSS config-the ultimate bright tone!

It will still quack, but the quack will be a little deeper in tone. My mahogany bodied guitars are G&L's, with G&L's own MFD (Magnetic Field Design) pickups. After playing these, I could never go back to an alnico single coil pickup.


Sprinter

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

I like alder strats for rhythm, and swamp ash strats for lead.

I play a lot of clean rhythm stuff, and I find my swamp ash '76 strat a bit harsh through the upper mids, which gets fatiguing after a few songs. My alder bodied 57ri is a bit warmer and more balanced sounding, and gets the nod for gigging.

The 76 sounds amazing for leads with an antiquity texas hot in the bridge position, though. The same pickup sounds good in the 57ri, but the extra midrange poke of the swamp ash '76 makes that pickup come alive. It's like Jeff Beck lives inside that guitar.

my ideal strat would sound like my 57ri on the neck pickup, and like my '76 on the bridge pickup. Maybe I should saw them in half...

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

I think you'd be happier with alder. I've had two swamp ash guitars, and while I still like them, the tone is resonant, yet narrower. Hard to put your finger on, but I like alder or maple capped mahogany. Same with 90% of every other guitarist. They just have 'the sound.'

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Swamp ash or alder?

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=33

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