Which is better ash or alder?
Sonically, Alder will produce more attack and presence with its emphasised upper-mids, resulting in it sounding a little bit punchier than Ash. Ash will give you a comparably rounder and slightly mellower tone with chiming highs that aren’t too bright.
Which is brighter alder or ash?
Sound wise, ash really doesn’t sound all that much different from alder. The big difference is that ash is so much lighter thatn alder. That’s what makes it favorable for a guitar body.
Is alder heavier than ash?
Ash wood is slightly heavier than the Alder, weighing at around 3 – 3.6kg. But it must be kept in mind that the guitar’s weight depends on how it’s made. If the manufacturers want to keep the guitar-heavy, either one can be heavier or lighter.
Is alder good for guitar bodies?
It’s a medium-weight wood, although quality cuts of alder used for guitar bodies will often weigh less than denser cuts of ash. Alder has a strong, clear, full-bodied sound, with beefy mids and excellent lows. Its highs sizzle slightly, but are rarely harsh, and it offers a decent amount of sustain.
When did Fender switch from ash to alder?
Fender adopted alder for electric instrument bodies in mid-1956, probably for no other reason than it was there; it was readily available and more affordable than ash. Ever since, it remains the body wood for the majority of Fender electric instruments.
Is alder a good guitar wood?
Alder is a medium-weight wood with a tight, hard grain pattern. It offers a full-bodied, clear tone, balancing low, mid and high frequencies. Alder is a popular choice as a solid body or laminate top for electric guitar/bass but isn’t used in acoustic guitars, guitar necks, or fretboards.
Why did my Fender stop using ash?
In an interview with Guitar World, Fender’s Executive Vice President of Product, Justin Norvell, revealed that the difficult decision was made largely because of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, a non-native invasive pest that has been destroying the unique “swamp ash” found in the American South – favored by Fender for …
Is Fender still using ash?
It was recently announced that Fender will be phasing out ash for production-line electric guitar models. The company statement explained that “in order to uphold our legacy of consistency and high quality we, at Fender, have made the decision to remove Ash from the majority of our regular production models.
How to tell the difference between Alder and ash?
the ash has more bass and the highs are stronger – it has more clarity than the alder guitar. the alder is not muddy – the ash just has more spank no matter what pup or amp I use. some people describe swamp ash as having a mid scoop – i’d say its flatter in the upper mids than alder, maybe slightly less low mids, but not a dramatic scoop.
What is the difference between basswood and alder body?
Compared to basswood, an alder body comes with a wider scope of tones overall as well as fewer mid-notes than basswood. Ash is one of the most common tonewoods for electric guitar bodies. Ash is a tonewood that comes in two main types:
What are the pros and cons of ash as a guitar wood?
The wood produces more treble and good sustain, with less warmth than other guitar woods. Ash can be difficult to work with, though; the pores must be filled before finishes are applied, and two swamp ash guitar bodies are more likely to differ from one another tonally than two bodies made of alder, which has a tighter, more consistent grain.
Why does Fender use Alder for its electric guitars?
Notably, alder also takes finishes well — with a light brown color and a tight grain that’s only slightly visible, it’s ideal for solid colors rather than the transparent finishes that look so good on ash. Fender has used other woods for its electric instrument bodies at various points in its history.