I was just thinking about PRS guitars. These things go for $4,000 bucks, and I was wondering why? Pickups can be replaced, so it must be the wood.

My dad, who happens to be a music professor, told me that there really isn't a reason to buy a 4k guitar, because it really is only electronics.

While I say "No, alder sounds brighter.", I really can't PROVE that to him.

Does anybody know any scientific articles/sites that explain wood differences?

Thanks,

KRAD

For my project Stratocaster, when I finished with "loading" the pickguard, I wanted to quickly test it to make sure it works (to make sure I soldered it up right). So I plugged the pickguard into the amp with no guitar body or anything. Then I held the pickuard all by itself up to the strings of a Gibson SG that I strummed the strings on. I was shocked on how good the lone pickguard sounded all by itself. Not only did it work, but it sounded great ... and that was with nothing but a loaded pickguard.

Just an observation...

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That's very interesting. After upgrading the pickups in my Squier it sounds like a completely different (and better) guitar. But yet, it doesn't sound as good as American Fenders with the same electronics. So wood does have something to do with tone, but maybe not as much as the electronics.

That's my theory anyway.

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I'd say wood does make a difference, but only to an extent. Obviously pickups will be what really drives your sound home, but I do agree with the general concensus that maple fingerboards give off a slightly more "snappy" tone to the rosewoods "warmness". And more than likely bodies have their own advantages to them aswell. Why would an ash deluxe strat cost over $100 more than a regular deluxe strat? It would make sense that everyone would get the alder unless there were something else to it.

Ash is a much more attractive wood than alder, with a much tighter, more intricate grain. Appearance likely has something to do with the price difference, in addition to sound, obviously.

So perhaps the compactness of the wood would have some sort of tonal difference?

I just can't really seem how I could prove it on paper, because what he does is basically prove acoustic sounds on paper, or something. :p

You may find this quite interesting:

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Bodies/Op ... tions.aspx

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

That actually taught me a lot. Thanks Chet

If memory serves, the legendary Bob Benedetto, in the 90s, built a carved top and back jazzbox from pallet lumber (gasp!), rather than rare and precious sitka spruce, maple and ebony.

And it sounded and played exquisitely.

And Ry Cooder is a man who loves to own and play cheap, POS (piece of <beep>) guitars.

Go figure.

Nice link Chet, very informative.Krad wood does effect the tone of a guitar but to be honest I would not be able to close my eyes and take a test of naming different woods. The biggest price realated issues are cosmetic thats a fact. I mean you have seen those amazing AAAAA flamed maple tops, or beautiful quilts,birds eye maple necks,rosewood bodies.This is where the big money comes into play.The best pieces of wood wind up in the custom shop as with anything else the rarer and best looking things cost the most. The best looking necks I have seen on Fenders have all been custom shop models, to tell the truth has anyone ever seen a non custom Fender model issued with a birdseye maple neck or better yet that came issued with a birdseye maple neck.But to sum it up your paying all that money for a beautiful piece of wood as you would not order a AAAAAA flamed top then have them paint the guitar black.I myself am a big fan of those tops which I have on non Fender guitars but one day I am going to order a custom strat but boy are they expensive.

That's really interesting! Thanks for asking the question KRAD, and for posting the link Chet!

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Not only does the body wood have some type of effect I think the wood used for the neck and combination of has even more effect on a guitars sound. The neck construction and materials effects the way the strings vibrate more then the body. The necks flexability ,cut, type and mass.

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Very cool posts! I think wood does have some effect, but I sens a lot of it is all about personal choices. It's all about what you think feels and plays the best when your strap one one.

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in electrics it has a very tiny amount but in acoustics it is everything

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Thanks for the link Chet!

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