This will be the first of a few posts prior to placing my order.
I am getting ready to order my first USA Custom Guitars telecaster. I am seeking advice, feedback, consultation from experienced builders/players.
I'm interested in the body wood combination of an alder back with a swamp ash top. Tom Anderson's website has the following description for this wood combination:
"...this combination sort of produces the sonic characteristics of both Ash and Alder? What it really has is the tighter bottom and fuller low mids of alder without losing some of those beautiful sparkling highs inherent in ash. Of course the weight is very light but the color selection is a bit more limited, than the ash/ash combination, only because the backing wood can look darker than the top wood with lighter transparent shades."
Does anyone have any experience with this combination of wood? How thick would the alder and swamp ash have to be (assuming the combination was valid)?
I've done a search on several sites and have repeatedly come across posts from experienced builders/players who are of the opinion that the body wood(s) are a minimal variable in the tone equation. Would I be better off saving a few bucks and just going for a swamp ash body?
I'm well aware the body isn't as much of a factor as the neck, pickups (to say nothing of the amp/cabinet).
Any feedback, advice, insight would be greatly appreciated.
-Lafayette Hankins
I am getting ready to order my first USA Custom Guitars telecaster. I am seeking advice, feedback, consultation from experienced builders/players.
I'm interested in the body wood combination of an alder back with a swamp ash top. Tom Anderson's website has the following description for this wood combination:
"...this combination sort of produces the sonic characteristics of both Ash and Alder? What it really has is the tighter bottom and fuller low mids of alder without losing some of those beautiful sparkling highs inherent in ash. Of course the weight is very light but the color selection is a bit more limited, than the ash/ash combination, only because the backing wood can look darker than the top wood with lighter transparent shades."
Does anyone have any experience with this combination of wood? How thick would the alder and swamp ash have to be (assuming the combination was valid)?
I've done a search on several sites and have repeatedly come across posts from experienced builders/players who are of the opinion that the body wood(s) are a minimal variable in the tone equation. Would I be better off saving a few bucks and just going for a swamp ash body?
I'm well aware the body isn't as much of a factor as the neck, pickups (to say nothing of the amp/cabinet).
Any feedback, advice, insight would be greatly appreciated.
-Lafayette Hankins
