Is this a good set of wood to start with?

[SG WyldeCHild]

Basswood

There's no place to get wood around here so im gonna have to go ebay. Is this ok wood for a starter guitar? Is it think enough?

[xafier]

I believe basswood is what they use in cheaper guitars like Squiers... well thats what I belive anyways... I may be wrong...

you should really go for someone a bit more decent... whats the point in making a Squier quality guitar when you can pick one up 2nd hand for dirt cheap?

[canuckguitarist]

Basswood is also a wood used in high end guitars. Such as the Jem DBK and UV777. I haven't used it myself, but from what I have heard (mostly on this forum) it is quite easy to work with.

[bizzare]

Ibanez use Basswood on most of the RG series, I'm not sure about the tonal differences to other woods, if there are any. I'm sure someone will have a site that tells the tonal differences of woods.

[daveq]

I believe basswood is what they use in cheaper guitars like Squiers... well thats what I belive anyways... I may be wrong...

you should really go for someone a bit more decent... whats the point in making a Squier quality guitar when you can pick one up 2nd hand for dirt cheap?

No, as canuck mentioned, it's used in higher end guitars also. I don't know the full list of manufacturers and models that use basswood but it's use is not limited to just Ibanez guitars.

There's lots of opinions on the quality of basswood. I own a guitar that was made of basswood and always liked the sound of it. Unless you're going for a very particular sound, I think basswood would be a good choice for a first-time project due to it's price.

Buying wood on the internet can be risky but here's a few places that are reliable if you want to give them a try:

galleryhardwoods.com

gilmerwood.com

exoticwoods.com (just be careful ordering figured wood - I had a couple of bad experiences - everything else from them has been great)

[gwm]

if this is going to be your first guitar project--USE CHEAP WOOD!!! basswood is a good choice. most people will mess up at some point building a first guitar, and its not cool to mess up expensive wood. trust me, i know about this.

[camcool]

basswood is a good wood for a body

but

It may not be the best for a neck because of how soft it is

The neck would have a tendency to bend

of couse, because it is softer, it is easier to work with

It is cheaper because it is one of the softest hardwoods

read a book on woods your local library should have one

I bought a book full of hardwoods that says their woodworking qualities

hardness, price, toxity, power tools or hand saws, porous or non porous, stability

these are all things to pay attention to when buying wood for making a guitar

[SG WyldeCHild]

Well about how think do I need it to be?

[daveq]

It may not be the best for a neck because of how soft it is

Yikes !!! I thought we were just talking about bodies - don't use it for necks!

Since you probably don't have access to a planer, I'd look for something near 1 3/4" thick. Of course, it depends on what type of body your building. I'm assuming that you're not trying to do a carved top guitar or anything other than a standard solid-body guitar.

Galleryhardwoods, stewmac, warmoth, and Exoticwoods provide body blanks that are very close to the final dimensions - give them a look. I think exoticwoods alder blanks are about $40.00.

[camsna]

Basswood is a GREAT body wood. It's used by the mose elite boutique guitar manufacturers. Basswood with a maple top is killer. Almost a perfect wood combo. Bud if you make a basswood body, go with a maple neck. Basswood is not a good neck material, and it will sound like a marshmallow.

[SonofaMesa]

The only time Id use basswood is on a neck through with a maple neck.

[litchfield]

EVH wolfgangs, EBMM Axis, Ibanez RG/Jem, Charvel (evh, san dimas), Hell, everybody uses it.

[litchfield]

Shoot me a PM. I tend to do wood sales.