Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

[chcjunior]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

I dig the alder.

Great isolation in the comparison of woods.

 

[xerxes]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

thanks for the comparison...

imo, the ash is great! i found the alder to be to treble in this test for me....

 

[Artie]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

Its funny how people percieve things differently. I liked the ash better because it sounded less bright than the alder. Sorta like the alder with the tone turned down.

 

[philthis]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

BTW I am lucky to have them both. The alder is really good for the SRV stuff, and the ash gets a little on the wild side (with all the harmonics it pocesses) when played with some gain. But clean, the ash cannot be beaten, the definition is to die for.

I was hearing those with different pickups as well. But did this test to see if I am imagining things or not, because afterall comparing wood (pickups) with different pickups (wood resp.) is not fair.

B

man, way to be doc, that is very usefull and very smart test, thnx again! :bigthumb:

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

Me thinks a bump is in order!

B

 

[presa_tito]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

The ash guitar in your av is a humbucker les paul style, and the alder guitar is a single coil strat? There should be some difference seing as the different guitars, but judging from the clips I dig the ash a little more.

 

[DirrtyCraig]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

Wow I like the Alder better - Warmer or darker or something - I especially like it during the riff notes vs. the rythem boogie woogie thing - sorry thats about as technical as I get - but Alder for me.

Yeah you put into words what I was thnking, warmer, darker, more character. Alder for me too.

My 89' PRS is alder and its sounds alot better than my Mahogany PRS or my basswod EVH IMO.

 

[Armotron]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

I can't tell the difference! Whats wrong with my ears, i guess im just not too... well maybe i could tell the difference if i played them for myself. :smack: :argh:

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

The ash guitar in your av is a humbucker les paul style, and the alder guitar is a single coil strat? There should be some difference seing as the different guitars, but judging from the clips I dig the ash a little more.

Yes and no!

Both of the clips were done with strats. Indeed in my initial post I gave the details.

Best,

B

 

[presa_tito]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

Yes and no!

Both of the clips were done with strats. Indeed in my initial post I gave the details.

Best,

B

Ok, I guess I just read the ending of the initial post too fast and you changed your av. :smack:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

People assume that Alder is softer therefore warmer sounding than swamp ash. But in my experience alder is more often brighter than swamp ash! But swamp ash is more complex, IMO. All depends on the specific pieces of wood being compared of course. Lew

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

In my personal experience ash was always a little brighter, more textured, less round, and more detailed. Weird, maybe its some random chance thing, no? I'd say you definitely have way more experience than I do, thus, I think you are right.

But we agree on the more textured, and more detailed tone of ash no?

B :cool3:

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

In my personal experience ash was always a little brighter, more textured, less round, and more detailed. Weird, maybe its some random chance thing, no? I'd say you definitely have way more experience than I do, thus, I think you are right.

But we agree on the more textured, and more detailed tone of ash no?

B :cool3:

Yes...we do!

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

Like I said, I think it depends on the individual pieces of wood. Some alder would be brighter than some swamp ash and vice versa.

My three Teles are all identical in terms of one piece neck and bridge and bridge saddles.

The alder one is slightly heavier and it is the brightest. If the alder one were the lightest, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the swamp ash Teles would be be brighter.

I think weight and density has alot to do with it and the heavier the brighter...though there are exceptions to that too!

All that said, I prefer swamp ash. It has a nice plucky pop to the tone.

Lew

 

[Marinblues]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

BTW I am lucky to have them both. The alder is really good for the SRV stuff, and the ash gets a little on the wild side (with all the harmonics it pocesses) when played with some gain. But clean, the ash cannot be beaten, the definition is to die for.

B

Agree. I have both as well, and I find myself playing the Alder one more often (with mild OD = tone heaven).


Marin

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Wood Test: Ash vs Alder (Strat)

Let me push this up!

B