This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

[bumrush]

Heya all,
I came across this body and it looks really well made but I can't figure out what it is? I know I've seen that cut around the neck pocket and the neck screw configuration before, but can't remember what it was on...I think it was a jazz bass body though.... No markings on it anywhere.

I can't figure out what wood this is. My instinct is Pine, definitely not ash, seen some alder with similar grain but most with wider bands too; Poplar? Agathis? Basswood? Each has some traits but don't exactly match. Check out the neck pocket - it looks pretty light au naturale, but the finish, stain really comes out in the light.
Any help ID'ing this would be appreciated...
The pickups look a little wonky, but I'm planning to change them out anyway.
Haven't heard it yet with a neck yet.

Mostly I would like to know about the what kind of wood is in this. I heard a few comparisons with alder, basswood, and agathis, etc, and don't want something too bright sounding. Like I said, the pickups looks pretty polly plasticky, so I'm unsure about it's quality. Fit and finish are pretty good I think, but I don't want it to be only cosmetic.
thanx

 

[Adieu]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

That colour and grain (from the looks of the pocket, not the top)...some kinda fir. That greenish trans black finish is also typical for that sort of wood.

Pine? Xmas tree? Doesnt actually matter, since all needle and cone type trees just dont produce excellent tonewoods, ever. Cant. Something about grain and density is all wrong for strings.

PS and yeah i know some Esquires used sugar pine or some such thing...Leo at his costcutting best, NOT a decision made for tonal perfection!

 

[Adieu]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Neck pocket, or rather bolt style, is Ibanez bassy, but also used by some LTD guitars afair (which this one is not)

 

[Masta' C]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

That colour and grain...some kinda fir. Pine? Xmas tree? Doesnt actually matter, since all needle and cone type trees just dont produce excellent tonewoods, ever. Cant. Something about grain and density is all wrong for strings.

Perhaps in an acoustic instrument, but pine and similar materials can make fine electric guitars if the wood is half decent quality and dried well.

My first impression of the body is that it came from one of many generic manufacturers found at the lower-end of the price spectrum. The neck joint is reminiscent of an Ibanez AANJ (all access neck joint), but the holes are likely in different positions. You may be able to find a neck that will mount to it, since it is likely 25.5" scale with a 2.25" wide, square-cut heel as found on many B.C. Rich models, etc., but no guarantees. I know GuitarFetish has some "factory buyout" necks that MAY work, but who knows...

EDIT: Unless it's REALLY cheap ($30 range), I'd pass. It would take too much to make it a "nice" player, assuming you can find compatible parts to begin with.

 

[bumrush]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

That colour and grain (from the looks of the pocket, not the top)...some kinda fir. Pine? Xmas tree? Doesnt actually matter, since all needle and cone type trees just dont produce excellent tonewoods, ever. Cant. Something about grain and density is all wrong for strings.

PS and yeah i know some Esquires used sugar pine or some such thing...Leo at his costcutting best, NOT a decision made for tonal perfection!

X-Mas tree? Really? Feeling Grinchy then. Would someone really make one out of fir/conifers like you mentioned? Considering for a 2nd build; it's kind of cheap and I wouldn't mind hacking the configuration if I knew what it was. Should I go for it??

 

[bumrush]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Perhaps in an acoustic instrument, but these materials can make fine electric guitars if dried properly. My first impression is that this is one of many generic models found at the lower-end of the guitar price spectrum and is not likely any sort of "brand name". The neck joint is reminiscent of an Ibanez AANJ (all access neck joint), but the holes are likely in different positions. You may be able to find a neck that will mount to it, since it is likely 25.5" scale with a 2.25" wide, square-cut heel as found on many B.C. Rich models, etc., but no guarantees. I know Guitar Fetish has some "factory buyout" necks that MAY work, but who knows...

Well it's stratocaster spec pocket so I could find a decent neck to try out on it. I'm trying to build 2 different guitars, but this may be too bright for my idea. Don't really care if it's a brand name guitar, just want an idea what neck/pickups to try and match to it.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

By the way, if you're interested in picking up a QUALITY guitar in a VERY similar style and color as that body, I've got something that might interest you...

 

[Adieu]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Perhaps in an acoustic instrument, but pine and similar materials can make fine electric guitars if the wood is half decent quality and dried well.

My first impression of the body is that it came from one of many generic manufacturers found at the lower-end of the price spectrum. The neck joint is reminiscent of an Ibanez AANJ (all access neck joint), but the holes are likely in different positions. You may be able to find a neck that will mount to it, since it is likely 25.5" scale with a 2.25" wide, square-cut heel as found on many B.C. Rich models, etc., but no guarantees. I know GuitarFetish has some "factory buyout" necks that MAY work, but who knows...

EDIT: Unless it's REALLY cheap ($30 range), I'd pass. It would take too much to make it a "nice" player, assuming you can find compatible parts to begin with.

Other way around, spruce used for proper acoustics but not electrics. And drying wise, it gets TOO dry not not dry enough... Yeah though, it looks like a 30 buck body

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

definiteley Basswood , with some kind of exotic laminated top- Sapele, or something - it isnt Rosewood, Ash ,Pine , Maple , Mahogany or an expensive top. Its a cheap body.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Other way around, spruce used for proper acoustics but not electrics. And drying wise, it gets TOO dry not not dry enough... Yeah though, it looks like a 30 buck body

Read my post again...

 

[bumrush]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Well I'm trying to decide between this and another body. Trying to make an inexpensive player which I can rough up and share with others around. This other one is Q-Maple topped, and swamp ash body. Only problem is that the humbucker/pockets seem slightly misaligned me thinks. I'm trying to find a bridge(maybe a flatmount) to compensate or I have to get really creative about the pocket. I think I can do it. This one is TWICE the cost though...

It's just a coincidence that they are they same color/finish. They are both from different sellers/shops. I kind of like this color though. Suggestions? Do comment if you think the bridge/routing looks slightly awry(2nd body)...

 

[Adieu]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

X-Mas tree? Really? Feeling Grinchy then. Would someone really make one out of fir/conifers like you mentioned? Considering for a 2nd build; it's kind of cheap and I wouldn't mind hacking the configuration if I knew what it was. Should I go for it??

Pine IS a conifer... I kid about xmas tree (probably), meant to say unknown pine or other conifer, doesnt really matter since its chosen for cheapness not tone by the manufacturer

not rly a top choice for a cheapie build, i've gotten $50 fender/squier japan bodies (which are the same thing - hardware etc differ, but 80s fender and squier mij wood comes from the same assembly line) before... Twice. And compatible nonfender japanese strat pts (fernandes etc) are hilariously cheap

 

[Masta' C]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Well it's stratocaster spec pocket so I could find a decent neck to try out on it. I'm trying to build 2 different guitars, but this may be too bright for my idea. Don't really care if it's a brand name guitar, just want an idea what neck/pickups to try and match to it.

Double-check that neck pocket. It may be Strat-width (which I doubt), but it's certainly not Strat-spec in any shape or form. Strats have a rounded profile where the heel butts up against the body. This particular body is cut for a square, Tele-style heel. However, I'd be surprised if even a standard Tele neck would fit...

 

[Masta' C]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Well I'm trying to decide between this and another body. Trying to make an inexpensive player which I can rough up and share with others around. This other one is Q-Maple topped, and swamp ash body. Only problem is that the humbucker/pockets seem slightly misaligned me thinks. I'm trying to find a bridge(maybe a flatmount) to compensate or I have to get really creative about the pocket. I think I can do it. This one is TWICE the cost though...View attachment 48738View attachment 48739View attachment 48740View attachment 48741

It's just a coincidence that they are they same color/finish. They are both from different sellers/shops. I kind of like this color though. Suggestions? Do comment if you think the bridge/routing looks slightly awry(2nd body)...

That's a Mighty Mite body. Absolutely nothing wrong with those. Good quality and nice finishes for the price.

I have a feeling you're experiencing a degree of parallax due to camera angle, etc...I'm sure the strings would line up just fine as long as the bridge is mounted properly.

I'd spend the extra for the Mighty Mite. Also, your typical Strat necks will bolt right on without question.

 

[bumrush]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

definiteley Basswood , with some kind of exotic laminated top- Sapele, or something - it isnt Rosewood, Ash ,Pine , Maple , Mahogany or an expensive top. Its a cheap body.

Nah, it's not a laminate top. Hard to tell from the pics but the striations seen in the neck pocket follow along the body as well. That's what's throwing me off on this...It's just a really light looking wood that didn't quiiiite match up with what I've seen..
I might go for it and give it to my nephew(He's 12 so don't hate, I'm not trying to cheap out on him and may make a good first player); Have some extra, decent pickups and a probable neck for this to make it as nice as I can as a Xmas gift... Thoughts?
Based on the top...what do you think??

 

[bumrush]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Pine IS a conifer... I kid about xmas tree (probably), meant to say unknown pine or other conifer, doesnt really matter since its chosen for cheapness not tone by the manufacturer

Right you are, I forgot those days of climbing them and getting every ant stuck to me on the way...

 

[Masta' C]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

No, definitely not a laminate top (it's a straight 3-piece body), but definitely not a great platform to start from, either. I can tell you're already sold on the cheapy, though, so give it a shot.

The Mighty Mite is a $160 body new and a much better platform to build any kind of player, even a beater/beginner guitar, but to each his own... :friday:

 

[Adieu]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

Right you are, I forgot those days of climbing them and getting every ant stuck to me on the way...

Well in all honesty, what *I* forgot was that conifer word... Hence the sarcasm to mask my own st00pid moment ;-)

 

[bumrush]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

That's a Mighty Mite body. Absolutely nothing wrong with those. Good quality and nice finishes for the price.

I have a feeling you're experiencing a degree of parallax due to camera angle, etc...I'm sure the strings would line up just fine as long as the bridge is mounted properly.

I'd spend the extra for the Mighty Mite. Also, your typical Strat necks will bolt right on without question.

I thought the angle might be funny too, but if you look at this pic, notice how the left saddle and the right saddle are not equidistant from the edges of the humbucker space. The bridge looks aligned with the pocket well enough, but can't figure out how to compensate. At first thought the bridge was off and was looking for a flat mount possible, but then noticed the HB space seems more wacky. Will definitely take some work I think. I'm not committed to either yet. Prices are $60 and $120(Mighty Mite?) shipped. Both are fully loaded where I just need to add my neck. Goals for these were to come in around/under $150 all told...Just want something to bruise or lend to newcomer's to jam with. Gotta save for Xmas too..

I can't read what is in the neck pocket. Doesn't look like "Mighty Mite", but I have no idea what their markings are. Best I can guess is "C A F R M??"

 

[Masta' C]

Re: This guitar body looks awesome!...But is it Pine? Basswood? Poplar?

That's still an angled pic. I think it's closer to correct in person than it appears in the pics. Those are the stock routs for that body, as well.

Either way, that body was obviously a complete guitar before. Ask the seller if it had any issues with string alignment...