ZiKi Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 Hi, my uncle carves wooden ducks and he uses bass wood, i was wondering if bass wood is good for guitar bodies and what its pros and cons are. i might be able to get this cheap so. also, anyone have links to cheap guitar wood retailers or know of any in the new jersey area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 yeah it is used in many guitars...ibanez,esp,and others.it is okay,i prefer alder...the only problem really is how soft it is....if you put a trem on it use large diameter insert studs to help keep it from pulling into the wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Litchfield Custom Gutars Posted April 2, 2004 Report Share Posted April 2, 2004 Basswood is inexpensive. Ibanez uses it a ton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 The original Music Man Eddie Van Halen guitar used basswood with a maple top. I'd say you'll be in pretty good company if you use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirit Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 ...as does the current Peavey EVH model. Basswood is a very toneful wood, with a tone somewhere between mahogany and alder, if i remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 umm...in my opinion not really "toneful"....it is lacking some mids and highs...but it is well balanced for metal/fusion/shredding...you need to use great pickups with it though. i love alder,as i said.....it has much more to work with in the frequency department...easier to take out the "bite" with the eq than it is to add it. but i do have a basswood guitar...it has a nice "creamy" sound with a tighter low end than mahogany,which is slightly "mushy" to my ears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirit Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 hey i could be wrong. i'm pretty sure i quoted straight from the warmoth site. i'll have a look........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 hey i could be wrong. i'm pretty sure i quoted straight from the warmoth site. i'll have a look........... no that is what it says...i have a different opinion though.they are trying to sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirit Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 fair enough, and i suppose they are trying to sell it. although, i just had a look and its says this: Basswood (Tilia americana): This is a lighter weight wood normally producing Strat® bodies under 4 lbs. The color is white, but often has nasty green mineral streaks in it. This is a closed-grain wood, but it can absorb a lot of finish. This is not a good wood for clear finishes; It is quite soft, and does not take abuse well. Soundwise, Basswood has a nice, warm tone. turns out i am wrong! ah well, you live and learn, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 you are not wrong...another site says exactly what you said...except maybe the toneful part.tom anderson guitars website if i remember correctly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirit Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 oh, cool. but about the question, basswood is fine, for guitar building. just watch out, cause its soft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rendisha Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 Hello. As I'm from Europe can someone give me some more info (mostly tone properties - is it same as basswood or close to) about european version" of basswood - Tilia europaea (Linden). We have it plenty here so why order it from U.S. and pay more for shipping than for wood itself. BTW - I found out that it's denser than basswood While basswood has an average weight of 27 pounds per cubic foot, European lime’s average weight is 34 pounds per cubic foot. PS - I'm glad I've found this forum, it's great place for newbies to learn a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted April 3, 2004 Report Share Posted April 3, 2004 The Saga kit guitar I first put together when I started was made from basswood. I found out quickly that it's easy to dent when you paint your guitar with lacquer or such. If your going with a basswood body then use a tough brand of paint on it or you'll regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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