Basswood

[ianwild16]

Is there a 'basswood' tree? or is it a fancy name for chipboard?
the squiers are made out of this...which other guitars are?

Edited December 4, 2009 by ianwild16

[SteveO]

[quote name='ianwild16' post='674543' date='Dec 4 2009, 11:13 PM']Is there a 'basswood' tree? or is it a fancy name for chipboard?
the squiers are made out of this...which other guitars are?[/quote]

I was looking at this when we were talking about pine basses a few weeks back. On this side of the pond we call it [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia"]lime[/url] (noting to do with the green fruit) It has a [url="http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wood-density-d_40.html"]density similar to that of pine.[/url] thats as far as I got with it.

[Paul_C]

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia[/url]

[Sibob]

As I mentioned in your Squier post, check out the MusicMan Bongo's for a 'higher end' bass made from Basswood.
A lot of Ibanez Guitars also use it as body wood, including a lot of the Prestige range

Si

[7string]

I remember hearing that it was a cheap wood which is used for a lot of furniture over in the USA.

Nothing wrong with it mind. Doesn't sound as good as Dragonwood or Malaysian Mystery Wood though....

[Duarte]

I've had a precision made of basswood (many japanese fenders are basswood) and yeah my bongo is basswood.

There's nothing wrong with it, like so many people will tell you there is. My P sounded sublime and my Bongo...well sounds like a Bongo, freakin awesome.

It's just not an attractive wood, you won't see it on any natural finished basses, possibly on cheaper trans finish basses.

Some manufacturers (including EBMM) use basswood as the main wood on guitars, but use mahogany 'tone blocks' or other woods to alter the tone.

Edited December 4, 2009 by Duarte

[Kiwi]

Basswood has often been described as having a mid emphasis and poor lows. Its popular with Ibanez because they use it a lot in their guitars. The lack of lows can be compensated for with pickup design but it takes a bit more focus on the design to come up with a good sounding instrument.

[Cat Burrito]

The Fender CIJ Blue Flower & Pink Paisley designs are basswood. I quite like it

[d-basser]

one of the downsides to basswood is that it is almost grainless so useless for natural or transparent finishes

[Duarte]

And the cheapest stuff can have green and black ugly lines through it. It's not attractive, but again, for athe purpose of an instrument, there is nothing really wrong with it.

[ianwild16]

....mmmm...so for a solid coloured guitar...what does it matter?.....will the finish
start to split at the screws in 20+ years?

[ianwild16]

[quote name='Sibob' post='674557' date='Dec 4 2009, 10:27 PM']As I mentioned in your Squier post, check out the MusicMan Bongo's for a 'higher end' bass made from Basswood.
A lot of Ibanez Guitars also use it as body wood, including a lot of the Prestige range

Si[/quote]

sorry.....saw your reply to my original post after i'd started this post....soz!

[Al Heeley]

its also easy to work, medium density/weight and relatively abundant!

[King Tut]

My favourite bass is a CIJ Jazz made of basswood. It's sunburst and not the prettiest but has a lovely tone to it. Got rid of it once but managed to track it down and got it back!

[markdavid]

[quote name='King Tut' post='674670' date='Dec 5 2009, 02:15 AM']My favourite bass is a CIJ Jazz made of basswood. It's sunburst and not the prettiest but has a lovely tone to it. Got rid of it once but managed to track it down and got it back![/quote]

Is that the one you sold/traded to Deaver that I bought off him then swapped with you for the Ibby SR900 , if so then im glad your enjoying the bass , funny how things work out sometimes

[xgsjx]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' date='Dec 4 2009, 11:07 PM' post='674580']
Basswood has often been described as having a mid emphasis and poor lows.
Sounds like they gave it the wrong name then!

[Chris2112]

Although the name is apparently pronounced the same as the fish, not the instrument!

[King Tut]

[quote name='markdavid' post='674676' date='Dec 5 2009, 02:32 AM']Is that the one you sold/traded to Deaver that I bought off him then swapped with you for the Ibby SR900 , if so then im glad your enjoying the bass , funny how things work out sometimes [/quote]

That is indeed the one! You getting on with the Ibby?

[markdavid]

[quote name='King Tut' post='675204' date='Dec 5 2009, 07:24 PM']That is indeed the one! You getting on with the Ibby?[/quote]

I have traded it for a 5 string Ibanez as I wanted a low B , I wanted to stay with Ibanez as the SR900 played and sounded so good.

[derrenleepoole]

What is basswood?




















An over excitable response to lush bass gear!!!!



























I'll get me coat

Edited December 5, 2009 by derrenleepoole

[Tee]

The Fender J Mascis Jazzmaster (MIJ) has a basswood body too. With regards to Fender, i think it's used mostly in the MIJ models.