What's the 'best' wood for a Telecaster body?

[Lewguitar]

Re: What's the 'best' wood for a Telecaster body?

I can see how basswood with a maple cap would be a great combination. By itself, the basswood is very resonant and deep but not as bright as alder or swamp ash. Adding a maple cap would brighten it up a little. Sounds like a great idea. Lew

 

[Quencho092]

Re: What's the 'best' wood for a Telecaster body?

sounds almost like a 'tele-gib' except for the basswood....

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What's the 'best' wood for a Telecaster body?

Basswood is not a very pretty wood. It's kind of a bland whiteish cream color.

And it's very soft! You don't want to overtighten screws threaded into basswood...they'll strip.

But tonewise it's one of my very favorites, especially with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. That's how Satriani's guitars use it and how my Tele Custom is made.

It's always painted a solid color so it's hard to know if your ax is made out of basswood unless you know the specs from the manufacturer.

Lew