Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: JacksonRR on January 17, 2011, 02:43:19 PM

Title: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: JacksonRR on January 17, 2011, 02:43:19 PM: So I was just wondering what you guys think is the ultimate wood for grain and/or tone.

Mine is favorite tonewood porn is in the form of Claro Walnut Burl. It just looks all random and beautiful and is pleasing to the ear with a lean towards the treble. What's yours?
(http://www.tommy2feathers.com/files/Walnut_Claro_Burl_Natural.jpg)

Close second for me would be Amboyna Burl, the tone being not as great more of a top wood.
(http://www.blueheronwoods.com/pictures/WoodSampleOvals/Close%20woods/Amboyna%20Burl.jpg)
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: fr33man1 on January 17, 2011, 03:05:46 PM: (http://www.woodnwires.ca/wood/samples/Rotary%20Bubinga.jpg)

bubinga, sexy, heavy and very dense sounding. Better alder for me

http://www.ghcustomwoodworks.com/BRH%20JB%201.jpg

could have found a better pic but spalted maple is just strange and good looking at once that I really like it.
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: _tom_ on January 17, 2011, 03:25:44 PM: Well 2 of my guitars are all mahogany and one is mahogany/alder, so i guess mahogany is my favourite! Nice pic I took of my SG, shows off the grain quite well.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4675378204_e7075da1f3.jpg)
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: shobet on January 17, 2011, 04:53:05 PM: I've never been into the flashy woods with flames and curls. I'm more interested in what it sounds like.
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Afghan Dave on January 17, 2011, 05:35:19 PM: Quote from: shobet on January 17, 2011, 04:53:05 PM
I've never been into the flashy woods with flames and curls. I'm more interested in what it sounds like.

Probably like sh1t when you're playing them... eh Shob?

PDT_031 PDT_002
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: shobet on January 17, 2011, 05:45:53 PM: Quote from: Afghan Dave on January 17, 2011, 05:35:19 PM
Quote from: shobet on January 17, 2011, 04:53:05 PM
I've never been into the flashy woods with flames and curls. I'm more interested in what it sounds like.

Probably like sh1t when you're playing them... eh Shob?

PDT_031 PDT_002

I'd not be that generous with my description.
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Telerocker on January 18, 2011, 02:01:56 AM: Nice grained alder and (swamp)ash. Althought I like flamed tops when the rest of the guitar isn't too posh.
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Jonny on January 18, 2011, 11:03:35 AM: Carpathian Burl, shiny goldenness.
(http://www.woodworking.org/WC/Woods/070H.jpeg)

But I also like figured ziricote and I'd love a piece as a fingerboard. As well as wood that really dark but has contrasting colour to it, like brown and then cream. I think that's another form of burl but I can't find a name.
(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2529/photo032x.jpg)
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Andrew W on January 18, 2011, 05:22:38 PM: Alder:

(http://www.alder-plywood.com/images/select-alder.jpg)

and maple (without any of that structurally weakening flame stuff):

(http://www.acfairbankconsulting.ca/images/vicwood/designs/maple3bdssm.jpg)

Just gorgeous^*.

^*Does help if you paint the the alder and cover the maple with decorations like frets, machine heads, logo decals etc. Still it's what it sounds like, right?

In all seriousness, these are the woods I'd choose. I know they aren't pretty but I've never really gone for any of the fancier patterned electric guitars. I like 'em plain and sprayed with car-paint.
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: WezV on January 18, 2011, 07:33:16 PM: i like the look of buckeye burl - but have not had chance to work with it yet:
(http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/images/levywoods/wood%209-25/Buckeye%20burl%20[A]%200001%209-25-05%20view2.jpg)

(http://www.edroman.com/customshop/wood/images/buckeye34.jpg)
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Philly Q on January 18, 2011, 09:20:00 PM: ^

The first thing that sprang to mind there was a large bird flattened by a truck...
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: gwEm on January 18, 2011, 11:51:32 PM: Quote from: Philly Q on January 18, 2011, 09:20:00 PM
^

The first thing that sprang to mind there was a large bird flattened by a truck...

^

The first thing that sprang to mine was a scary insect like a stag beetle or preying mantis
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: JacksonRR on January 19, 2011, 02:52:38 AM: Quote from: Jonny on January 18, 2011, 11:03:35 AM
Carpathian Burl, shiny goldenness.
(http://www.woodworking.org/WC/Woods/070H.jpeg)

But I also like figured ziricote and I'd love a piece as a fingerboard. As well as wood that really dark but has contrasting colour to it, like brown and then cream. I think that's another form of burl but I can't find a name.
(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/2529/photo032x.jpg)

That's a gorgeous burl. Looks like the wood is melting. And you know I'm a sucker for Ziricote fingerboards. Dark and then creamy too.... like this?
(http://www.theveneerstore.com/images/SECTION/icon/178.jpg)musk
(http://www.veneersupplies.com/product_images/uploaded_images/cat-walnut-burl-best.jpg)walnut
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: MDV on January 19, 2011, 03:13:21 AM: Quote from: WezV on January 18, 2011, 07:33:16 PM
i like the look of buckeye burl - but have not had chance to work with it yet:
(http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/images/levywoods/wood%209-25/Buckeye%20burl%20[A]%200001%209-25-05%20view2.jpg)

(http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/4/mother_of_god.jpg)
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Roobubba on January 19, 2011, 11:12:49 AM: Well call me biased, but this:
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Jonny on January 19, 2011, 12:34:48 PM: Quote from: JacksonRR on January 19, 2011, 02:52:38 AM
That's a gorgeous burl. Looks like the wood is melting. And you know I'm a sucker for Ziricote fingerboards. Dark and then creamy too.... like this?
(http://www.theveneerstore.com/images/SECTION/icon/178.jpg)musk
(http://www.veneersupplies.com/product_images/uploaded_images/cat-walnut-burl-best.jpg)walnut
Hell yes! Hit me up with some of that! :D
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: JacksonRR on January 19, 2011, 05:01:17 PM: Quote from: Jonny on January 19, 2011, 12:34:48 PM
Quote from: JacksonRR on January 19, 2011, 02:52:38 AM
That's a gorgeous burl. Looks like the wood is melting. And you know I'm a sucker for Ziricote fingerboards. Dark and then creamy too.... like this?
(http://www.theveneerstore.com/images/SECTION/icon/178.jpg)musk
(http://www.veneersupplies.com/product_images/uploaded_images/cat-walnut-burl-best.jpg)walnut
Hell yes! Hit me up with some of that! :D

OK. Boner time then. Walnut burl comin at ya! I think I would mate the outsides together if it was mine though. The little peace sign at the bottom kinda throws me off.
(http://www.throckmortondrums.com/item/image/20/midsize/walnut_burl.jpg?1187126864)

MORE Walnut Burl
(http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1647/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1647R-33703.jpg)
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: BigB on January 19, 2011, 06:21:14 PM: I'm afraid I'm in the "anything as long as it sounds good and doesn't look like an expensive furniture" camp.
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Ian Price on January 19, 2011, 07:43:01 PM: Don't be afraid!

I don't like overly quilted, flamed etc. The furthest I would go is a nicely patterned bit of ash. Even when I get an LP that I like it would have to be one where the top isn't matched and a little plainer than flamey.
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Philly Q on January 19, 2011, 08:33:09 PM: I love the look of all these exotic timbers, but I probably wouldn't want a guitar made out of them.

I prefer "boring" stuff - mahogany and korina for tone, and looks-wise I really don't think you can beat a nice piece of ash.
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: WezV on January 19, 2011, 08:59:37 PM: i agree that there is beauty in the simple woods - but i do like something i bit more odd every now and again. i like the freaky natural stuff that can happen with wood

and occasionally i like it a bit enhanced - like this flamed maple thats been acrylized with a cranberry coloured resin
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/wv22.jpg)

as far as simpler stuff - cant really beat something with a nice shimmer like this oiled 'african walnut'
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/wv20.jpg)
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: JacksonRR on January 19, 2011, 11:23:26 PM: Hey Gwem, you like V's right? I read it's top is flamed Mahogany. Drum City Guitar Land has them on sale for $399 USD. The regular price was $799.
(http://roselanemusiccenter.com/images/B0002E1GE8-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Your favorite guitar wood(pics encouraged)
Post by: Telerocker on January 20, 2011, 12:48:48 AM: Quote from: Philly Q on January 19, 2011, 08:33:09 PM
I love the look of all these exotic timbers, but I probably wouldn't want a guitar made out of them.

I prefer "boring" stuff - mahogany and korina for tone, and looks-wise I really don't think you can beat a nice piece of ash.

I agree. Maybe it's because even cheap guitars from China/Vietnam/Indonesia have quilt and flamed tops nowadays. It seems it isn't that special anymore. I'm not saying I don't like flamed tops, but on the right guitar with the right hardware. The overall picture shouldn't be too exuberant. In general, I prefer (swamp)ash and alder for tone and looks.