Question About Woods Used For Building Electric Guitars

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Question About Woods Used For Building Electric Guitars

ChrisVdS View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 05:01 PM
Dec 7 2008, 05:01 PM	GMC:er Posts: 197 Joined: 2-January 08 From: Antwerpen, Belgium	I'm just wondering how much the influence is of the wood the body is made of on the pickups for the sound you get from the pickups. Because i love BKP Nailbombs but would they sound much different in my Ibanez RG (basswood) then let's say in a Les Paul (mohogany) using the same amp with same settings?? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Gear: Fender "California series" stratocaster Roland Cube 20X Peavey Envoy 110

AlexLion View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 05:06 PM
Dec 7 2008, 05:06 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.247 Joined: 19-September 08 From: Latvia, Jelgava	Yeah, i want to know this as well, for example what is more suitable woods for heavy sounding? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Kuba Szafran View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 05:06 PM
Dec 7 2008, 05:06 PM	Instructor Posts: 908 Joined: 25-August 08 From: Lubaczów, Poland	Generally guitars with mahogany body sound a bit darker the basswood ones. I can't say if they sounded better or worse because that depends on you . Alex, mahogany bodies are often used for heavy sounds. But let's take for example George Lynch, he uses mahogany and maple bodies as well. I think that more important is the way how you (or your fingers) create heavy sound. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by Kuba Szafran: Dec 7 2008, 05:11 PM -------------------- Check out my lessons.

ZakkWylde View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 05:12 PM
Dec 7 2008, 05:12 PM	Learning Tone Master Posts: 3.185 Joined: 22-June 07 From: Germany	QUOTE (ChrisVdS @ Dec 7 2008, 05:01 PM) I'm just wondering how much the influence is of the wood the body is made of on the pickups for the sound you get from the pickups. Because i love BKP Nailbombs but would they sound much different in my Ibanez RG (basswood) then let's say in a Les Paul (mohogany) using the same amp with same settings?? Yes they will sound diffrent, especially with those high quality passive pickups the guitar shows it's true sound. The body and neck shape, the used woods, the quality of the parts, the quality of the crafting and even the strings and bridges have an influence on the tone. Those guitars have totally diffrent sounds and the Nailbomb will perform diffrent on each of them but it will still have it's trademark characteristics... You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Gear: - Jackson USA Select KV2 King V with EMG 81/85 - Gibson Les Paul Custom Arctic White with EMG 81/85 - Ibanez Rg 8527 J Custom 7-String with DiMarzio Evolution and Air Norton - Peavey 6505+ head with Marshall 1960AV 4x12 cab - Peavey Vypyr 30 Practice Amp - Dunlop Crybaby From Hell, Maxon OD808, Boss TU-2, MXR CarbonCopy, ISP Decimator, MXR Custom Audio Electronics Booster

OrganisedConfusi... OrganisedConfusion View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 05:23 PM
Dec 7 2008, 05:23 PM	GMC:er Posts: 5.635 Joined: 29-November 07 From: Nottingham, UK	Koa and Sitka Spruce are my favourite woods for guitars. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Gear Guitars:- Caparison Horus Snowcloud, Parker Nitefly M, Parker Nitefly SA, Gibson SG, Parker P10e, 40 Year Old Spanish Acoustic Amps:- Framus Ruby Riot 2x12" stack

AlexLion View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 05:42 PM
Dec 7 2008, 05:42 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.247 Joined: 19-September 08 From: Latvia, Jelgava	QUOTE (Kuba Szafran @ Dec 7 2008, 06:06 PM) Generally guitars with mahogany body sound a bit darker the basswood ones. I can't say if they sounded better or worse because that depends on you . Alex, mahogany bodies are often used for heavy sounds. But let's take for example George Lynch, he uses mahogany and maple bodies as well. I think that more important is the way how you (or your fingers) create heavy sound. Thank you, and you right, of course way of playing will always be as main factor but some small factors like what picks used for playing, what woods are used for guitar, strings gauge and brand etc etc. also is kind a important just gathering information, that is or will be useful for me later. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by AlexLion: Dec 7 2008, 05:43 PM

FrankW View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 05:45 PM
Dec 7 2008, 05:45 PM	GMC:er Posts: 622 Joined: 29-April 08 From: Fort Mill, SC, USA, Pangea, Earth	http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/options/options_bodywoods.cfm Check out this link. It will tell you alot about the tone quality of many different woods. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

AlexLion View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 05:55 PM
Dec 7 2008, 05:55 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.247 Joined: 19-September 08 From: Latvia, Jelgava	Thanks a lot, i appreciate that:) You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Ajmurrell View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 06:03 PM
Dec 7 2008, 06:03 PM	Learning Tone Master Posts: 628 Joined: 15-August 08 From: London, UK	QUOTE (ChrisVdS @ Dec 7 2008, 04:01 PM) I'm just wondering how much the influence is of the wood the body is made of on the pickups for the sound you get from the pickups. Because i love BKP Nailbombs but would they sound much different in my Ibanez RG (basswood) then let's say in a Les Paul (mohogany) using the same amp with same settings?? There are a lot of factors that influence the tone of the guitar. Wood type, density, contruction quality, components and electrical equipment and many others I'm sure I've not mentioned! The main differences I imagine to be between an Ibanez and RG type guitars if you were to use similar wood in the body/neck for each would be the weight difference and joint difference. Typically Ibanez' are bolted on necks - similar to strat type guitars, while Gibson use 2 part wood joints, or one solid piece for neck and body. Also Ibanez' typically have thinner necks and bodies, thus using less wood. To be more specific to your question, I think the sound would be very different considering the differences between the Ibanez build and the Gibson build. This isn't to say that one would be inferior to the other, because this is always down to personal taste. Many would probably agree that the most important factors on improving the tone of your instrument is using as best components throughout the guitar. Installing expensive pickups into a low quality guitar I wouldn't personally recommend. I think the money would show more results in saving up a bit more and getting an altogether slightly better quality guitar. I'm rambling sorry! To be more specific to your question, I'd say that the wood probably has a bigger influence on the sound than the pickups, but in a different way. All components on the guitar add difference "spices" to the sound, and thus its a rather complicated question to answer! Also, I find as a general rule of thumb - the darker the wood colour, the warmer the tone. The quality of the wood is a big factor too Ramble over! Also, please feel free to correct me on any of this guys as I'm not certain! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- GMC Travel Agent, at your service.

ChrisVdS View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 06:03 PM
Dec 7 2008, 06:03 PM	GMC:er Posts: 197 Joined: 2-January 08 From: Antwerpen, Belgium	Cool thx guys I wanted to know because my RG deserves better then those V7 and V8 stock ibanez pickups. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Gear: Fender "California series" stratocaster Roland Cube 20X Peavey Envoy 110

Matt23 View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 06:24 PM
Dec 7 2008, 06:24 PM	Accomplished Tone Master Posts: 1.745 Joined: 17-January 08 From: Scotland	http://www.jemsite.com/jem/wood.htm This page helped me quite a lot. Also mahogany has a deeper sound and bass wood has a smoother sound. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

FrankW View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 06:25 PM
Dec 7 2008, 06:25 PM	GMC:er Posts: 622 Joined: 29-April 08 From: Fort Mill, SC, USA, Pangea, Earth	QUOTE (Matt23 @ Dec 7 2008, 06:24 PM) http://www.jemsite.com/jem/wood.htm This page helped me quite a lot. Also mahogany has a deeper sound and bass wood has a smoother sound. Good one, man. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

MickeM View Member Profile	Dec 7 2008, 06:29 PM
Dec 7 2008, 06:29 PM	Born of NWOBHM, Moderation Team Leader Posts: 8.562 Joined: 9-January 07 From: Stockholm, Sweden	QUOTE (ChrisVdS @ Dec 7 2008, 05:01 PM) would they sound much different in my Ibanez RG (basswood) then let's say in a Les Paul (mohogany) using the same amp with same settings?? Yes there would be a difference. Basswood will sound warm with lots of mids. Mahogany will give sustain, warmth and full. i have pieces of mahogany and maple in my garage, you can tell a lot just by knocking on it with your knuckles. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My bands homepage All time favourites: B. Streisand - Woman in Love, M. Hopkin - Those were the days, L. Richie - Hello

Ivan Milenkovic View Member Profile	Dec 8 2008, 09:29 PM
Dec 8 2008, 09:29 PM	Instructor Posts: 25.396 Joined: 20-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	QUOTE (MickeM @ Dec 7 2008, 06:29 PM) i have pieces of mahogany and maple in my garage, you can tell a lot just by knocking on it with your knuckles. I think that's a great example. Of course it cannot tell how the guitars will sound from that part of the wood, but it can make a pretty cool and accurate comparison of different woods. Also not all wood is of the same quality. Wood goes through a process of drying before build, the bigger the drying process, the better the wood will be and better the sound should be. All wood for good guitars are kept in storage for drying for some time before entering to the guitar making process. Even the same kind of wood is tested for quality and best pieces are chosen for more expensive guitars. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE - Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons - (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel - Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)

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