theodoropoulos Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 i have read many things about cherry .Some say its subsitute for alder,other say for mahogany.For my stratocaster i have no alder.Should i use cherry,for same tonal qualities as alder??? thank you again for your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripthorn Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Cherry (at least American Black Cherry) is best described as having tonal qualities similar to maple. Alder is very balanced without as many highs as cherry. Of course, depends on the piece and, due to the design of the strat, the material choice is somewhat less important than other designs (not trying to start a war, it's just that having your pickups mounted to a pickguard made of flimsy material which is then mounted to the body, it will negate *some* of the tonal factors of the wood). I would say go for it and tell us how it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theodoropoulos Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Cherry (at least American Black Cherry) is best described as having tonal qualities similar to maple. Alder is very balanced without as many highs as cherry. Of course, depends on the piece and, due to the design of the strat, the material choice is somewhat less important than other designs (not trying to start a war, it's just that having your pickups mounted to a pickguard made of flimsy material which is then mounted to the body, it will negate *some* of the tonal factors of the wood). I would say go for it and tell us how it works out. that's a very correct point of view....thanks!!i 'll think of it very seriously!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Ripthorn is dead on...very much like maple but even brighter in my experience...not a good substitute for alder,but a cherry strat or tele would give some serious snap....do not even consider it for high gain stuff...my ears still hurt from my last cherry super strat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theodoropoulos Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Ripthorn is dead on...very much like maple but even brighter in my experience...not a good substitute for alder,but a cherry strat or tele would give some serious snap....do not even consider it for high gain stuff...my ears still hurt from my last cherry super strat ......hmmmmm....i was thinking for my Yngwie Malmsteen scalloped guitar....i have no alder unfortunately....So what could i use?????i have some other alternatives woods... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ripthorn Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Basswood and poplar also have a pretty even, balanced tone that would work as a decent alder substitute. There are probably several other kinds out there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theodoropoulos Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 (edited) Basswood and poplar also have a pretty even, balanced tone that would work as a decent alder substitute. There are probably several other kinds out there as well. You know i had an idea....I read a lot about toneblocks.. see the pic http://elderly.com/images/new_instruments/30N/MM25AV_body-chamber.jpg I could probably use an alder substitute as body wood and add an indian rosewood toneblock for reacher sound...So,what do you think?? Edited December 9, 2011 by theodoropoulos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 I think you might like the Mulberry you mentioned in another post. The red mulberry we have here in the states is not nearly as hard as cherry. I assume what you have is black mulberry, but I think it would be similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theodoropoulos Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 I think you might like the Mulberry you mentioned in another post. The red mulberry we have here in the states is not nearly as hard as cherry. I assume what you have is black mulberry, but I think it would be similar. haha,black mulberry is something we name here for the mulberry which has turned from yellow to deep chocolate brown...THis is a sign of aged wood,which means it will resonate but not in so high frequencies as yellow one...I am deeply confused!!haha..dont know what to use now!!!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyonsdream Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 Personally, when you slap a set of high gain pickups and run it through your amp, the wood means very little. I have an all maple guitar and it has plenty of low-end... I love people who argue tone and sustain when it comes to wood choices.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted December 10, 2011 Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 I love people who argue tone and sustain when it comes to wood choices.... Love being wrong,do you? Unfortunately for me,other people's inability to hear tonal differences in different types of woods is not amusing...I just wish you could hear properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theodoropoulos Posted December 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2011 (edited) I love people who argue tone and sustain when it comes to wood choices.... Love being wrong,do you? Unfortunately for me,other people's inability to hear tonal differences in different types of woods is not amusing...I just wish you could hear properly. Ι really love this!!hahaha..it's the same argueing about food's taste:i like this food-i hate this food!! you know there are Analysis Fourier software which shows really the distribution of frequencies!!It would be more objectiv that the personal'taste of everybody!! Edited December 10, 2011 by theodoropoulos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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