Thoughts on ASH + ROSEWOOD strat??

[johnstratiwant]

Hi everyone,

I have used plenty of Alder + Rosewood strats, was wondering what your opinion/experience were for Ash + rosewood?

I don't see this combo often, I have seen some Youtube videos and I feel like I can hear a difference when compared to Alder + Rosewood

I'm a believer of tone wood

Thanks!

[robthemac]

If you're worried about it sounding a bit warm and polite, it's nothing that pickup selection/set-up or a little amp EQ won't fix.

[Slowy]

Hi everyone,

I have used plenty of Alder + Rosewood strats, was wondering what your opinion/experience were for Ash + rosewood?

I don't see this combo often, I have seen some Youtube videos and I feel like I can hear a difference when compared to Alder + Rosewood

I'm a believer of tone wood

Thanks!

Always thought I wanted a Rosewood/Alder Strat. What I got was Ash/Maple. It turned out to be nothing like most reviews and everything I wanted. Warm, rich Strat sounds, nothing harsh or toppy. A really sweet sounding instrument. I put this down to the Ash which along with Korina, just has a sound my ears like.

I have a mixture of Rosewood and Maple fretboards. I naturally lean towards Rosewood but my fingers really don't care if I'm honest. Then again, I don't notice scale length as such either.

Rosewood/Ash is a rare combination and now I'm curious as to why. I certainly wouldn't say no but we all find slightly different things in a guitar. Would be cool to find out!

[johnstratiwant]

If you're worried about it sounding a bit warm and polite, it's nothing that pickup selection/set-up or a little amp EQ won't fix.

Sounded like Ash body were "more aggressive" or "more hollow/natural" compared to alder body. Never tried Ash body, so purely based on Youtube vids

[johnstratiwant]

Hi everyone,

I have used plenty of Alder + Rosewood strats, was wondering what your opinion/experience were for Ash + rosewood?

I don't see this combo often, I have seen some Youtube videos and I feel like I can hear a difference when compared to Alder + Rosewood

I'm a believer of tone wood

Thanks!

Always thought I wanted a Rosewood/Alder Strat. What I got was Ash/Maple. It turned out to be nothing like most reviews and everything I wanted. Warm, rich Strat sounds, nothing harsh or toppy. A really sweet sounding instrument. I put this down to the Ash which along with Korina, just has a sound my ears like.

I have a mixture of Rosewood and Maple fretboards. I naturally lean towards Rosewood but my fingers really don't care if I'm honest. Then again, I don't notice scale length as such either.

Rosewood/Ash is a rare combination and now I'm curious as to why. I certainly wouldn't say no but we all find slightly different things in a guitar. Would be cool to find out!

I used Alder body for all my strats and feel like a change. Never tried an Ash body but seem to work well with maple boards.

Yeah, I'm thinking if Ash + rosewood are less common because maybe they are less desirable?? Or maybe its cheaper to use Alder, so more $$ for the company

[johnstratiwant]

Maybe I should get an Ash + maple and buy a replacement rosewood neck. I think that's easier to get than finding ash + rosewood

[robthemac]

If you're worried about it sounding a bit warm and polite, it's nothing that pickup selection/set-up or a little amp EQ won't fix.

Sounded like Ash body were "more aggressive" or "more hollow/natural" compared to alder body. Never tried Ash body, so purely based on Youtube vids

There's such a variance of opinion that some would even suggest it makes little-to-no difference in comparison to the electronics, or that there's more variability between different pieces of ash than between ash and alder.

[johnstratiwant]

If you're worried about it sounding a bit warm and polite, it's nothing that pickup selection/set-up or a little amp EQ won't fix.

Sounded like Ash body were "more aggressive" or "more hollow/natural" compared to alder body. Never tried Ash body, so purely based on Youtube vids

There's such a variance of opinion that some would even suggest it makes little-to-no difference in comparison to the electronics, or that there's more variability between different pieces of ash than between ash and alder.

Yeah, i prob wont be able to tell if blind tested, grain pattern on ash does look pleasing to look when compared to ash

[robthemac]

Sounded like Ash body were "more aggressive" or "more hollow/natural" compared to alder body. Never tried Ash body, so purely based on Youtube vids

There's such a variance of opinion that some would even suggest it makes little-to-no difference in comparison to the electronics, or that there's more variability between different pieces of ash than between ash and alder.

Yeah, i prob wont be able to tell if blind tested, grain pattern on ash does look pleasing to look when compared to ash

Are you going to do a transparent finish? There are some really striking alternatives if you're wanting non-traditional woods

[olegmcnoleg]

The thing with 'ash' is it can mean a variety of wood. The 70s Fenders used a hard and very heavy ash which looks ok with transparent finishes, but does not sound great. Southern swamp ash is what I would look out for. It is often nicely figured and it is light, lighter than alder. To my ears it gives a lighter, more jangly tone, but you lose some warmth.

[robthemac]

Have you thought about getting something made locally? Stratosphere isn't cheap...

[wavesofffear]

The reason you don't see ash/rosewood very often is historical. Fender had largely switched from ash to alder by the time they introduced rosewood necks (exception was blonde-finished guitars, for a while).

These specs have typically been retained on the various reissues over the years, and by Fender's various imitators. Guitarists tend to be ardent traditionalists when it comes down to it.

In terms of sound, there might be some overall EQ difference between ash and alder (most convincing description I've heard is ash=mid-scooped/alder=mid-heavy), but how many of each guitar do you have to sample to observe that reliably? In other words, if you're choosing between two guitars, one alder and one ash (but identical in all other respects), there's probably something like a 53% chance that the alder body has more mids.

The difference between rosewood and maple is even more slight (people that have handled a lot of rosewood sometimes describe it has having some extra "high end sizzle"). I wouldn't even worry about it.

[olegmcnoleg]

The reason you don't see ash/rosewood very often is historical. Fender had largely switched from ash to alder by the time they introduced rosewood necks (exception was blonde-finished guitars, for a while).

These specs have typically been retained on the various reissues over the years, and by Fender's various imitators. Guitarists tend to be ardent traditionalists when it comes down to it.

In terms of sound, there might be some overall EQ difference between ash and alder (most convincing description I've heard is ash=mid-scooped/alder=mid-heavy), but how many of each guitar do you have to sample to observe that reliably? In other words, if you're choosing between two guitars, one alder and one ash (but identical in all other respects), there's probably something like a 53% chance that the alder body has more mids.

The difference between rosewood and maple is even more slight (people that have handled a lot of rosewood sometimes describe it has having some extra "high end sizzle"). I wouldn't even worry about it.

Yep, I think this is bang on in terms of perceptible differences for the body wood.

In my experience, the biggest difference with the neck between rosewood & maple is how it feels, not how it sounds. Personally, I find maple to be harder work. Maple has a brighter tone than rosewood--which has warmer characteristics, so this could also affect the overall tone. Not by much though--most of the tone for an electric guitar is determined by the pickups, electronics & amp.

[Wairarapajack]

You might find it more difficult to source an Ash body as well. The Swamp Ash mostly used for strat bodies has been over-harvested over the years. Mature trees are hard to come by in the US. That's one of the major reasons that Fender don't use them much now.

[robthemac]

You might find it more difficult to source an Ash body as well. The Swamp Ash mostly used for strat bodies has been over-harvested over the years. Mature trees are hard to come by in the US. That's one of the major reasons that Fender don't use them much now.

Also, don't overlook pine as an option! Some of it is an excellent option for electric guitar bodies, and has an aesthetic that you might like if you're a fan of ash.