Swamp Ash vs Alder for bodywood

[Predator1]

Which has a fuller tone and more suitable for Hard Rock?

[shreddermon]

Please don't be offended, but IMHO the question is kind of silly. They both have full tones, and are both very suitable for hard rock. (...As are mahogany, basswood, korina, etc etc.) It's all just personal preferences.

Some good wood tone descriptions here:

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/options/options_bodywoods.cfm

[Cleveland Metal]

My opinion would be the swamp ash... At least, given the choice, I'd go Ash...

[Predator1]

No offense taken. I already read the info at Warmoth which stated that Swamp ash tends to lend a brighter tone. I was just hoping someone here might own both and could give me a hands on opinion.

[shreddermon]

I do own both - several. And they're both cool. You couldn't go wrong with either.

If I had to live with only one, though, it'd be swamp ash. But a nice piece of alder is pretty damn close. ...And then there's mahogany with a nice figured maple top.

[toejam]

To me, swamp ash seems to be a tiny bit scooped in the mids. It also seems to be a little "spanky" and brighter. Alder seems a little fuller.

[Spivonious]

The general rule is that the harder the wood, the brighter it will be.

So, since Swamp Ash is supposed to be a bit softer, it will have a warmer yet darker sound. Alder will be brighter and "spankier'.

[shreddermon]

The general rule is that the harder the wood, the brighter it will be.

So, since Swamp Ash is supposed to be a bit softer, it will have a warmer yet darker sound. Alder will be brighter and "spankier'.

Sorry, but that's just wrong in this case. Swamp ash is definitely brighter in tone than alder. Better harmonics, too, IMHO.

But, unless you're talking about porn soundtrack quality, I have no idea WTF "spank" means, in terms of tone.

[Cleveland Metal]

But, unless you're talking about porn soundtrack quality.

Swamp ash = Good...

Swamp ASS = Bad...


Mmmkay?

[Axewielder]

I'd lean toward swamp ash on a custom build, only because there are an ARMY of production guitars in alder to choose from. I just did a strat build w/ a swamp ash body, and am very pleased. The whole guitar came in around 7 lbs. I'd say tone-wise it is on the bright side. I have to roll off my bridge (HS3) tone a bit or it will really bark at you.

[Predator1]

I love the tone of my MZ Mahogany Natural and it is relativly light for Mahogany at (7.5lbs). Unfortunatly the CS will not attempt to take a request for light weight wood. You basicly have to gamble/hope that they use a lighter body blank. I did not care for the tone of the heavier MZ Mah Naturals. The first one I had weighed 10.2lbs. It went back. The lighter Mahogany is the best IMHO. That is what I would order if I knew it was what I woud get.

[Spivonious]

Sorry, but that's just wrong in this case. Swamp ash is definitely brighter in tone than alder. Better harmonics, too, IMHO.

But, unless you're talking about porn soundtrack quality, I have no idea WTF "spank" means, in terms of tone.

Well, in my googling I came across two types of Ash. Northern Ash is supposed to be hard and bright, Swamp Ash is supposed to be a little warmer than Alder. No personal experience though, so I'm just guessing based on the properties of the wood.

Spank to me is the difference between bolt-on and neck-through. Not necessarily brighter, but more attack.

[DeathThrashAttack]

I really dig swamp ash body with a 1/4inch maple top. I love the tone I get plugged in or acoustically.

[mm2002]

Nobody mentioned the type of finish on the wood. Makes a big difference. That said, I love the sound of unfinished or lightly oiled alder. Very warm and resonant.
Take any kind of wood, slap a jillion coats of poly on it, and the differences in tone become marginal at best.

[Axewielder]

Nobody mentioned the type of finish on the wood. Makes a big difference. That said, I love the sound of unfinished or lightly oiled alder. Very warm and resonant.
Take any kind of wood, slap a jillion coats of poly on it, and the differences in tone become marginal at best.

I think poly-U is usually softer and thinner and more tranparent than poly-E. The finishing gurus might chime in if I am mistaken.