Is basswood ok for a Tremolo abuser?

[anarkhos]

Hi guys, I am interested in getting a Jackson SDX or a ESP LTD MH-103 STBLK but I'm kinda worried about the body wood, which is basswood for both. My current guitar, a 2010 JS-32 KV with a Indian Cedro body, had the wood where the FR posts are inserted broken, and I couldn't get it fixed, so I would like to get one of these. But after searching on the Web I found some info like http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/s...-Rose-Disaster where people with basswood guitars blamed the wood for the issue. I wouldn't want this to happen again, specially since I have a low budget and because I like to abuse the FR a little. So I would like to know if you think I should get something with "better" wood on the body or if these are ok and I shouldn't worry.

I hope this is the right section for this question.
Thanks in advance.

[pianoguyy]

1. Stop the abuse. To quote Greg, "Go Jack Butler on that shit", but don't abuse it. There is a difference.
2. Speaking of Jack Butler ~~ Steve Vai used to go bananas on his trems. The Jem used to be made of bassword. I would assume that if Basswood is good enough for Steve, then it is good enough for you.
3. Not all woods are created equal. You can find cheap basswood as well as good basswood.

[toejam]

As long as it's got modern posts with inserts and not just wood screw posts going straight into the body, you'll be fine.

[anarkhos]

@ Pianoguyy Yeah probably I'm too rough with it. I shouldn't worry about cheap basswood then?

@toejam yes they have posts with inserts, my JS has aswell.

If they came with one of those metal plate inserts... do you guys know where I can get some? I can't find them anywhere.

[Newc]

Cedro is cedar, which is very porous, so it's not a surprise that the trem post inserts busted through the wood. It's also possible the wood cracked by over-cranking the post itself.
It's also possible the post holes were drilled too close to the edge of the bridge slot.

Basswood is a soft wood, but not as porous as cedro/cedar, so it's not as likely to split unless the holes are drilled too close to the slot, in which case it wouldn't matter if it was a thick mahogany or maple slab.

Everyone uses good basswood and cheap basswood. With very few exceptions, it's been my experience that Jackson has used a higher grade of affordable woods on their low-end imports than what I've seen of other companies.

[anarkhos]

That gives me some relief, thanx Newc

[Nightbat]

Everyone uses good basswood and cheap basswood. With very few exceptions, it's been my experience that Jackson has used a higher grade of affordable woods on their low-end imports than what I've seen of other companies.

I've got a basswood fusion and the basswood SDX, the SDX weighs a ton compared to the fusion, and makes it feel much more solid

[anarkhos]

I've got a basswood fusion and the basswood SDX, the SDX weighs a ton compared to the fusion, and makes it feel much more solid

Yeah, when I picked a SDX for the first time I also tried one of the new JS kelly guitars and that was heavy, they are all made at the same place I think, with the same woods probably.

The SDX was a bit light but great nontheless.

[wilkinsi]

Its basswood, not balsawood

[anarkhos]

Its basswood, not balsawood

nice one! Yeah I know, I just don't want to have this issue again, specially without the possibility to repair it, and the stuff I read at other forums freightened me a bit... that's why I get the final word from here, I know I can trust the knowledge you guys have.