TheGreek Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 I found this article on the tonal qualities of wood. It may have been featured before, but if not, I'm hoping somebody else might find it useful too.. [url="http://www.activebass.com/default.asp?iTarget=http%3A//www.activebass.com/articles/item.asp%3Fi%3D51"]http://www.activebass.com/default.asp?iTarget=http%3A//www.activebass.com/articles/item.asp%3Fi%3D51[/url] Quote
iconic Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 ...Ohh, thought this was goona be a male errection self help thread I'll get my coat! Quote
thisnameistaken Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 Or maybe [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/scrap-lumber-bass-vs-alder-bass-can-you-tell-difference-743932/"]this is everything you need to know about wood[/url]. Quote
Vibrating G String Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 More pseudo science based on egos. IMO of course Quote
Vibrating G String Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1318542670' post='1403675'] Or maybe [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/scrap-lumber-bass-vs-alder-bass-can-you-tell-difference-743932/"]this is everything you need to know about wood[/url]. [/quote] This link should be dismissed because it contains testing and not just boasting and blind faith and tonal decisions based on the color of the wood. Quote
risingson Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 I'm all for posting up whatever really, no matter how many times its been covered, but the contentious issue of this subject tends to divide people into two camps: those who believe that the wood makes a difference, and those who think the difference is minimal. Me personally? If it sounds good, play it, if it doesn't, don't. Quote
4 Strings Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 [quote name='Vibrating G String' timestamp='1318542903' post='1403678'] This link should be dismissed because it contains testing and not just boasting and blind faith and tonal decisions based on the color of the wood. [/quote] Damn, while I agree with your general view about the effects of woods I was hoping to agree with what you actually say. Oh well. Quote
KingBollock Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 Gibson is in the news because of wood sourcing. There is a quote in the article: [quote] "The wood that goes into guitars is crucial to the tone of the instrument," says Laurence Juber, an acoustic guitarist who lined up with Sir Paul McCartney in Wings. "I can show you the difference in sound between Indian rosewood and Brazilian rosewood and ebony and maple." [/quote] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15268169 To be honest, I don't know enough about it, though from what I have read I am inclined to believe that it's mostly rubbish spread by elitists and people who stand to make money from it. Makes me glad that my next planned purchase is made, mostly, of man made materials, Luthite and Ebanol (though the neck is wood). Quote
Vibrating G String Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 [quote name='risingson' timestamp='1318543789' post='1403684'] I'm all for posting up whatever really, no matter how many times its been covered, but the contentious issue of this subject tends to divide people into two camps: those who believe that the wood makes a difference, and those who think the difference is minimal. [/quote] Science vs. faith, never a pretty discussion But one that will always bring anger after the utterance of the phrase "can you demonstrate that to someone who doesn't already believe?". I never argue that people believe they can hear a difference, I just point out that none has ever demonstrated it outside the realm of self evaluations. Quote
Vibrating G String Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 [quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1318543849' post='1403686'] Damn, while I agree with your general view about the effects of woods I was hoping to agree with what you actually say. Oh well. [/quote] I don't believe you What a silly position to hold anyway. Why would you hope to agree with me instead of whatever reality is? Quote
Big_Stu Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1318542670' post='1403675'] Or maybe [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/scrap-lumber-bass-vs-alder-bass-can-you-tell-difference-743932/"]this is everything you need to know about wood[/url]. [/quote] Yeah but ........... what colour scratchplate should he put on the lumber bass? ... would be the most important/popular question usually asked on TB. Quote
karlfer Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 I think I get the relevance with acoustic guitar, How much difference does it make thumping out Am I Evil through a 500watt rigg at the Firkin n Dog? Quote
Kiwi Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1318542670' post='1403675'] Or maybe [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/scrap-lumber-bass-vs-alder-bass-can-you-tell-difference-743932/"]this is everything you need to know about wood[/url]. [/quote] All that test proves to me is that I would never buy a bass that sounded like any of those clips. As far as the debate goes, I own instruments that are made from different woods and they feel and sound consistently different from one another. Ironically my stingray and j-bass are supposed to sound identical to one another when played acoustically given they are made from a maple neck and ash body...and they don't. It's a no-brainer for me. Quote
thisnameistaken Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 [quote name='Crazykiwi' timestamp='1318570547' post='1403796']Ironically my stingray and j-bass are supposed to sound identical to one another when played acoustically given they are made from a maple neck and ash body...and they don't. It's a no-brainer for me.[/quote] It's important what an electric bass guitar sounds like acoustically. Quote
Kiwi Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 Well lets put the opinion in a clearly defined context for your benefit. If someone is curious about what the wood sounds like and wants to remove the influence of preamp and pickups...yes it is. Quote
Vibrating G String Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 [quote name='Crazykiwi' timestamp='1318570547' post='1403796'] It's a no-brainer for me. [/quote] You said it I didn't Quote
Kiwi Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 (edited) Tru dat...meaning (once again for the sake of clear context) something obvious that should be clear to everyone...but if it isn't, I'm not losing sleep over it. EDIT: And, given the George Carlin quote in your signature, I'm not desperate for people to care about my not losing sleep over it either. Its just an opinion...that's all... Edited October 14, 2011 by Crazykiwi Quote
BigRedX Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 I don't care what wood(s) my solid electric instruments are made of so long they sound good and if you can see the wood it looks pleasing to me. Quote
thisnameistaken Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 [quote name='Crazykiwi' timestamp='1318581027' post='1403883'] Well lets put the opinion in a clearly defined context for your benefit. If someone is curious about what the wood sounds like and wants to remove the influence of preamp and pickups...yes it is. [/quote] OK, I agree that if wood does make a difference then that difference would be negligible anyway in an electric bass guitar. Quote
Kiwi Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 I have no problem with your opinion. My experience is different. Quote
steve-bbb Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 i really dont understand people who claim that the wood doesnt make a difference?- i just visited my local music emporium to try out half a dozen different J's (mixture of fender and squier) - ive decided on the cheapest squier there as i like the sound from it (and the price!) but even my cat could tell the difference in tone and sound quality between them Quote
thisnameistaken Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 So you have tried identical basses but for the woods involved and found that they sound considerably different? If so then you I defer to your more relevant experience. Quote
discreet Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 Fascinating! Maple is Acer Saccharum, Rosewood is Dalbergia and Alder is Alnus Rubra! Every day's a school day. Fender used ash until 1956 when alder was also used. According to George Fullerton, the decision was motivated by cost and ease of finishing rather than any effect the change had on tone, which Fender did not consider a factor... Quote
Happy Jack Posted October 14, 2011 Posted October 14, 2011 Excuse me, but I seem to have taken a wrong turning and now I'm lost. How do I get from Troll Central back to the real world? ps: Could all trolls please note the at the bottom. pps: Trip trap trip trap trip trap. Quote
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