How to identify Maple from Basswood ?

[Fourth Feline]

Hi,

I thought the luthiers and other knowlegable folks here might be able to advise me on the following:

My favourite guitar has ended up being a Tanglewood TH502 - and there is some variation in retail description - as to whether the body is maple ( as is the neck ) - or basswood with maple ply cap. The outside of the ( semi - acoustic 335 copy ) body certainly has a lovely figured wood veneer / ply ( ?) visible through the varnish, but I remain curious as to what wood I see through the 'F' holes.  The very friendly customer services folk at Tanglewood think perhaps basswood beneath Maple, but the retail specs for this era of TH502 insist that it is Maple throughout ( except the lovely smooth / tight grained rosewood fingerboard of course ).  The colour of the maple neck wood is certainly matched cosmetically by the outer body ply / veneer .

So as a matter of affection for this modestly priced gem, I would love to know what to look for when examining the inside of the guitar.  The instrument itself is definately a 'keeper' - and astounds me at it's effortless 1mm action at the 12th fret - and flat , wide , fast neck.

So, any guidance please ?

Thanks in advance.   :)

[Twinfan]

Hi Derek  :)

The only way I can think of is that maple usually has a strong-ish grain to it with some figuring.  Basswood usually has a very faint grain that's straight and 'boring' for want of a better word!

How does the inside of the back look????

[WezV]

yeah, very little grain in basswood and its usually a dull tan colour compared to a bit more pale yellowy cream of maple... although obviously they both vary a lot.

it will be  pressed laminate top like all 335 construction guitars


the real question... does it matter if you love the guitar so much? ;)

[Philly Q]

Since it's a semi, would there be much cost-saving in using basswood for just some of the top/back laminates?  I thought the top and back were pretty thin anyway.

Maybe it's the solid centre block that's basswood, rather than mahogany (or whatever they normally use)?

[Fourth Feline]

yeah, very little grain in basswood and its usually a dull tan colour compared to a bit more pale yellowy cream of maple... although obviously they both vary a lot.

it will be  pressed laminate top like all 335 construction guitars


the real question... does it matter if you love the guitar so much? ;)

Ultimately I suppose the construction is not of prime importance , but it's like getting to know someone you like - as you progress along a long journey together. It's the same reason we all like reading reviews of gear / guitars that we already own. 

I looked closer at the inside Dave, and as you described , it is grained in a way that is more like undulating parallel lines, variable in distance from each other of course, but not as highly figured as the top ply / laminate.  The colour is best described as the colour of lollipop sticks, with a slightly darker brown, close grained sustain / soundblock.

The 'skin' of the body is thicker than a typical Gibson Philly, ( hence a little routing needed to fit a Switchcraft toggle if needed ).  I gather that although John Suhr uses Basswood for his slimline semi-acoustic Telecasters, it is described elsewhwere as " the poor man's mahogany".  :)

[Twinfan]

Could be either wood by the sound of it!

[Fourth Feline]

Could be either wood by the sound of it!

Thanks for the input anyway Dave  :)

Also thanks to the other people that replied, as it's nice to contemplate these things when the guitar is sat back on the stand looking nice - and I am drinking tea. 

(Just got to try and learn some chord melody  / proper Jazz now ) :)

[badgermark]

From one MQ devotee to another- check out the warmoth wood page Lots of wood grain pictures!. helped me when identifying my mustang copy as made of mahogany.

[Fourth Feline]

From one MQ devotee to another- check out the warmoth wood page Lots of wood grain pictures!. helped me when identifying my mustang copy as made of mahogany.

Wow ! Thanks very much for that link.   :)

I have bookmarked it for a more leisurely perusal later today.  It's a  really handy reference point to have on hand .

I suppose when asked why I was bothered about the qualities of the wood, I should have said " because my M.Q.s are in there ! " .  :)

Cheers Mark.

[WezV]

I suppose when asked why I was bothered about the qualities of the wood, I should have said " because my M.Q.s are in there ! " .  :)

Cheers Mark.

sorry mark... i had to make the 'whats it matter if it works' comment because thats what everyone does to me everytime i start taking stuff apart just to see whats going on inside :)   and i do it a lot!!!

if you really want to know then take out one of the pickups and get us a nice clear pic of the cavity.. you should see teh grain nice and clear there and you should also be able to see the laminations in the ply top.. Probably 3 ply with a darker wood in the middle 

[Fourth Feline]

I suppose when asked why I was bothered about the qualities of the wood, I should have said " because my M.Q.s are in there ! " .  :)

Cheers Mark.

sorry mark... i had to make the 'whats it matter if it works' comment because thats what everyone does to me everytime i start taking stuff apart just to see whats going on inside :)   and i do it a lot!!!

if you really want to know then take out one of the pickups and get us a nice clear pic of the cavity.. you should see teh grain nice and clear there and you should also be able to see the laminations in the ply top.. Probably 3 ply with a darker wood in the middle 

Thanks for the further offer of help Wez, but some well meaning soul has neatly lined the pickup cavities with a thick matt black paint.  I shall however, be pouring over the link that Mark kindly attached - and learn some more about this and other guitars.  As always, B.K.P. folk are the best !  :D