Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
- Thread starter James2244
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kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
From the Tom Anderson site.
Basswood Pronounced bass like the fish.
This wood gained popularity in the 80s and for a time was probably the most used wood for locking tremolo guitars. It is very light weight and produces a fairly even and full mid-range response throughout the entire band width. Many people feel it is extremely well matched with humbucking pickups because it produces a lot of the same frequencies that humbuckers easily reproduce. This is not to say that single coil tones aren't great as well. Toward the end of the late 80s, a few other species of woods were mistakenly thought to be basswood and this seemed to lead to a decline in basswood's popularity. However, true basswood does produce a very pleasing midrange tone.
Mahogany
Mahogany is a wood that became popular primarily being used on 24 3/4" scale length guitars since the 1950s. Its tone is thick and concentrated with a forceful midrange. Medium brown in color with a red or orange hue, this mid to mid-heavy weight wood has a mild grain pattern that looks great with many transparent finishes.
From the Tom Anderson site.
Basswood Pronounced bass like the fish.
This wood gained popularity in the 80s and for a time was probably the most used wood for locking tremolo guitars. It is very light weight and produces a fairly even and full mid-range response throughout the entire band width. Many people feel it is extremely well matched with humbucking pickups because it produces a lot of the same frequencies that humbuckers easily reproduce. This is not to say that single coil tones aren't great as well. Toward the end of the late 80s, a few other species of woods were mistakenly thought to be basswood and this seemed to lead to a decline in basswood's popularity. However, true basswood does produce a very pleasing midrange tone.
Mahogany
Mahogany is a wood that became popular primarily being used on 24 3/4" scale length guitars since the 1950s. Its tone is thick and concentrated with a forceful midrange. Medium brown in color with a red or orange hue, this mid to mid-heavy weight wood has a mild grain pattern that looks great with many transparent finishes.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
For versatility I'd say mahogany--regularly used in both acoustics and electrics in necks and bodies.
Better for hard rock/metal? Too many variables IMO...the pickups, the amp/processor, the actual guitar player...
For versatility I'd say mahogany--regularly used in both acoustics and electrics in necks and bodies.
Better for hard rock/metal? Too many variables IMO...the pickups, the amp/processor, the actual guitar player...
Christopher Caruana
New member
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
I think it was john suhr that said basswood + maple was the ultimate tone wood combination.
Yes a lot of cheap guitars are made from basswood, but true, high quality basswood can sound fantastic. Suhr and EVH both use them and they make some damn good sounding guitars if you ask me
I think it was john suhr that said basswood + maple was the ultimate tone wood combination.
Yes a lot of cheap guitars are made from basswood, but true, high quality basswood can sound fantastic. Suhr and EVH both use them and they make some damn good sounding guitars if you ask me
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
The Satriani sig Ibanez is basswood, as is Jeff Beck's most frequently played custom strat with the Suhr pickups if I remember right.
Compared to mahogany it is a lot lighter and softer of a wood. Grain is nothing to fancy to look at so see through finishes are usually avoided, but if you get a flame or quilt maple top like Suhr suggests then you're in business.
The Satriani sig Ibanez is basswood, as is Jeff Beck's most frequently played custom strat with the Suhr pickups if I remember right.
Compared to mahogany it is a lot lighter and softer of a wood. Grain is nothing to fancy to look at so see through finishes are usually avoided, but if you get a flame or quilt maple top like Suhr suggests then you're in business.
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Brian Griffin
New member
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
The vibration of the strings are often transferred directly to the pickups, so pickups matter more than the type of the wood. Different case with acoustic though.
The vibration of the strings are often transferred directly to the pickups, so pickups matter more than the type of the wood. Different case with acoustic though.
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
Common engineering logic suggest so, *but* hasn't happened to you that a guitar that sceams harmonics amplied, does the same unplugged, while a guitar that cannot pronounce harmonics amplified, respectively does so unplugged as well? And we are talking about guitars with no technical defficiencies, no defectice nuts and saddles or worn frets, and setup right.
Common engineering logic suggest so, *but* hasn't happened to you that a guitar that sceams harmonics amplied, does the same unplugged, while a guitar that cannot pronounce harmonics amplified, respectively does so unplugged as well? And we are talking about guitars with no technical defficiencies, no defectice nuts and saddles or worn frets, and setup right.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
^^
The pickups translate the vibration of the strings. The vibrations of the strings themselves are directly influenced by the material that they are mated to and how such material affects the transmission of harmonic overtones. A guitar with a body of MDF will not resonate and enhance certain frequencies the same as a guitar made of mahogany or basswood or alder etc, ie. a material with a linear grain structure. That's why carbon fiber will work well, provided that the fibers are laminated in a certain fashion. Same with quartersawn woods for the neck.
^^
The pickups translate the vibration of the strings. The vibrations of the strings themselves are directly influenced by the material that they are mated to and how such material affects the transmission of harmonic overtones. A guitar with a body of MDF will not resonate and enhance certain frequencies the same as a guitar made of mahogany or basswood or alder etc, ie. a material with a linear grain structure. That's why carbon fiber will work well, provided that the fibers are laminated in a certain fashion. Same with quartersawn woods for the neck.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
The wood and the pickups are only the start. Then, there is the amplification. Then, there is how all three interact. Then, there is how the player choses to exploit the possibilities offered.
The wood and the pickups are only the start. Then, there is the amplification. Then, there is how all three interact. Then, there is how the player choses to exploit the possibilities offered.
jmh151
Active member
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
Basswood is favored for being more consistent, flat, and tone is influenced more by whatever pickups are put in it.
I think on a long scale (25 1/2 inch) scale, basswood tends to be better. Mahogany tends to lose it's strengths in longer scales, if you were building a Gibson or PRS scale Id go with mahogany. If going for Fender scale, go with alder, basswood or ash
Basswood is favored for being more consistent, flat, and tone is influenced more by whatever pickups are put in it.
I think on a long scale (25 1/2 inch) scale, basswood tends to be better. Mahogany tends to lose it's strengths in longer scales, if you were building a Gibson or PRS scale Id go with mahogany. If going for Fender scale, go with alder, basswood or ash
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
That's going to depend on the kind of music you play. It's not universal.
That's going to depend on the kind of music you play. It's not universal.
Der Oberherr
New member
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/the-tone-garage/different-woods-different-tones/
As it says here, basswood barely changes your tone relative to the other woods. It is evenly balanced everywhere (a jack of all trades, master of none if you like), so is best where versatility is concerned. It is very good baseline wood for finding the best tone.
I can't really tell you which is better as I've never played guitars of these woods. If you have the time, patience or money you could just get 2 guitars with same neck and fretboard material, same bridge, same pickups and different body woods to discover the differences.
I personally would say just play a bunch of guitars, and see what's best for you. At the end of the day, it will be you who will be using your ears to find the combos that work.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/the-tone-garage/different-woods-different-tones/
As it says here, basswood barely changes your tone relative to the other woods. It is evenly balanced everywhere (a jack of all trades, master of none if you like), so is best where versatility is concerned. It is very good baseline wood for finding the best tone.
I can't really tell you which is better as I've never played guitars of these woods. If you have the time, patience or money you could just get 2 guitars with same neck and fretboard material, same bridge, same pickups and different body woods to discover the differences.
I personally would say just play a bunch of guitars, and see what's best for you. At the end of the day, it will be you who will be using your ears to find the combos that work.
NecroPolo
New member
Re: Which one has more versatility basswood or mahogany wood?
The player has.
Any dead wood is just a plank. It has as many dimensions as the player using it. Think of woods just like flavours. Salt is not more versatile than sugar, just adds a different texture - but a great cook makes great food, not salt or sugar.
The player has.
Any dead wood is just a plank. It has as many dimensions as the player using it. Think of woods just like flavours. Salt is not more versatile than sugar, just adds a different texture - but a great cook makes great food, not salt or sugar.
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