Bassisgreat Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 Hi Everybody! My two favorite sites to visit are here and Talkbass.com. Over there, the general consensus seems to be that "tonewood" is a myth and that the tone of your instrument comes from constuction style/quality and electronics. As a matter of fact they have had multiple "Tone Wars" over there about it, thus the TW1 in the thread title. What's your take? Have you played two instruments that are identical except for the woods used and noticed a difference that you could discern in a blind A/B test? Does the wood you use in your guitars really affect the tone they produce or is it just aesthetics, so long as they are structurally sound and well put together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 Do a search for "voodoo" and you'll likely find a few threads on this old chestnut. Yes they make a difference, but as to whether there is a "perfect" combination of tonewoods or not gets into the realms of whether the glue you use in a set neck affects tone, or whether side dots affect tone, or whether your neighbours's dentist's hairy ass affects tone. It comes down to the fact that whilst everything in connection with the guitar as a system has an affect, whether that difference is measurable or repeatable is very much the source of many unhappy arguing users who can't settle on whether these minutae are in fact of practical value. I think as far as wood is concerned, the axiom Carl Thompson lives by is the best and more affective one of them all; "use good wood". That there will have the greatest effect on tone, stability, adjustability, predictability and long term longevity of an instrument. That said, Brian May's Red Special was made from constructional blockboard (towards the bottom of the page, "block boards") with a Mahogany veneer cover, an Oak bridge infill and a very old-growth piece of Mahogany. That's probably the furthest aspects of the material spectrum as you can get in one instrument without adding MDF into the equation! All in all - it's not a good discussion as it always turns people into blathering voodoo botherers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadovfor Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 All in all - it's not a good discussion as it always turns people into blathering voodoo botherers. True dat!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 My favorite special subcatagory on the tone voodoo enhancement thing are the 'how do chambers affect tone' threads. Always good for a few laughs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 Voodoo.... Don't follow me cause I got "Voodoo". Say you don't know me, you'll burn you can refuse, but you'll lose, it's by me Say you don't want me, you'll learn nothin you do will be new, 'cause I'm through --RJD You should ask about Glue while you are at it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 Ah, but there is an affect of chambers on tone. Size in general, depth, connectivity, etc. all will play a roll. Can I tell you EXACTLY what they'll do to a tone, no. But I can make some decent guesses. That said, most assuredly wood makes a difference. Play a solid maple guitar, then go play a solid mahogany guitar. There's no doubt. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 I think my favorite myth/voodo is "Wood doesn't matter to play heavy metal, just put in EMG's and turn the gain to 10". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 A guitar is the sum of its parts and construction, everything plays a part in the final result. I think of woods as the spice in a dish in that they add flavor to the recipe, not replace the main ingredient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musiclogic Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 Removed my comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwedishLuthier Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 On a solidbody, chambered or not, the answer is "yes and No" As for the body, NO Helmet on everybody, let the flame war begin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 *puts on asbestos pants and sunglasses* Bear with me a few minutes whilst I quickly re-learn the Monty Python argument sketch. Talk amongst yourself whilst I do this. In the meantime, I'll start with "no it isn't". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 Give me a moment to get some popcorn and grab a beer. Ok. Proceed. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 On a solidbody, chambered or not, the answer is "yes and No" As for the body, NO, why, pick-ups and piezos are potted and sealed these days to a point that the vibration in the body can no longer effect the coils, and being the main carrier of the wave to electronic transmission, the body plays little consequence, electronics and hardware have a much greater effect. As for Necks, it is a distinct YES, as the interplay between the neck wood, fretboard, and frets or lack there of (fretless) directly effect the string by being a direct contact surface, allowing the contact point to be the wood, thus directly influencing the vibration of the string by the dampening effect of the material. Specifically. As for ToneWood, ... Man no you didn't... dude seriously. i know you are new here and all but ... Helmet on everybody, let the flame war begin... Getting the Aria out. I think I will need the body armor and the leathers as well. Kneedraggers unite! I think a mob is in order.... *puts on asbestos pants and sunglasses* Bear with me a few minutes whilst I quickly re-learn the Monty Python argument sketch. Talk amongst yourself whilst I do this. In the meantime, I'll start with "no it isn't". Man: I'd like to have an argument please. Receptionist: Certainly, sir. Have you been here before...? Man: No, this is my first time. Receptionis: I see. Do you want to have the full argument, or were you thinking of taking a course? Man : Well, what would be the cost? Receptionist: Yes, it's one pound for a five-minute argument, but only eight pounds for a course of ten. Man : Well, I think it's probably best if I start with the one and see how it goes from there. OK? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 In the meantime, I'll start with "no it isn't". Pardon me, I completely missed the cue. "Yes it is". SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 In the meantime, I'll start with "no it isn't". Pardon me, I completely missed the cue. "Yes it is". SR No it isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 In the meantime, I'll start with "no it isn't". Pardon me, I completely missed the cue. "Yes it is". SR No it isn't. Yes, it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 In the meantime, I'll start with "no it isn't". Pardon me, I completely missed the cue. "Yes it is". SR No it isn't. Don't give me that, you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings! OH, oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse. Ah yes, you want room 12A, Just along the corridor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 This isn't even an argument! It's just you contradicting everything I say!? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 The best wood for guitar necks is balsa...it really helps your vibrato... For bodies I always use charcoal briquettes glued together with hot hide glue(for tone) because I once heard that satriani prefers his pork chops smoked with kingsford... They call that pork chop tone and I really dig it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 This isn't even an argument! It's just you contradicting everything I say!? Chris No it isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musiclogic Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 removed my comment. shouldn't have said anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 Come on,man..stop taking yourself so seriously...these guys are just joshing you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireFly Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 This isn't even an argument! It's just you contradicting everything I say!? Chris No it isn't. Im sorry but Im not allowed to go on arguing unless you've payed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 (edited) Musiclogic.... we really don't care about this conversation because we've all had it about 50 times this year already. Do a look through this section and you're sure to come up with a thread without trying hard at all. Now back to the argument. I'm sorry but I'm not allowed to go on arguing unless you've payed. But that wasn't a full 5 minute argument just now! Edited August 26, 2010 by avengers63 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiKro Posted August 26, 2010 Report Share Posted August 26, 2010 Hi Everybody! My two favorite sites to visit are here and Talkbass.com. Over there, the general consensus seems to be that "tonewood" is a myth and that the tone of your instrument comes from constuction style/quality and electronics. As a matter of fact they have had multiple "Tone Wars" over there about it, thus the TW1 in the thread title. What's your take? Have you played two instruments that are identical except for the woods used and noticed a difference that you could discern in a blind A/B test? Does the wood you use in your guitars really affect the tone they produce or is it just aesthetics, so long as they are structurally sound and well put together?Of course not, Wood has nothing to do with the sound? That's a stupid question. Sound has to do with airwaves in compression and decompression. otherwise sound waves. Now wood being a solid does not emit sound. Unless you consider did the tree falling make a sound if no one was there to hear it fall ? Back to the Wood and sound. So being a solid, does wood affect the sound? I'm sure it does since wood can transmit vibrations , (AH Sound waves vibrate) based on density of the wood the vibrations will be (shall we say colored as well as tempered) so does wood affect tone ? You decide, as I know that it does. That being my thoughts and beliefs, It is in the Ears of those listening and what the can perceive. No VooDoo about it Have a nice Day mk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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