The neck is plywood (OK, laminated wood ). But the body sides are a formica type substance, with the fretboard and top being real wood.

I've tried one and it simply isn't the same as an all wood guitar in my view. But it's only $850, so there is that to consider

I suppose I'l throw my hat in on the tonewood controversy:

I have an Am Deluxe Ash Strat, with Rosewood board and an Am Deluxe Strat with alder body and maple board.

Electronics and hardware are exactly the same - Only difference is the wood in the bodies and board.

They do not sound the same

As to which part , body or board that makes the difference, I really don't care to say, because honestly it isn't that big of a deal to me.

I try out a guitar at the store. If I like the tone and feel I buy it, if not, I don't

What the Hell does that mean?!

I really could care less about what YOU think about my post. Who are you anyway - Nobody I can tell

Dude, I've read some other posts of yours, and you tend to be condescending, as some self appointed expert, and everyone else is beneath you.

Why can't you just voice your own opinions about your own stuff, instead of psychoanalyzing everyone else? It's like you think you have to "sign off" on each post in the threads you are a part of.

Get over yourself.

Whoa, looks to me like BigJay meant that sincerely! heh. If you read his words without any preconceptions, he's just thanking you for not advancing any implausible theories as to why you like your guitars... don't want to tread on any toes here... I'm just sayin'..

No doubt it's a hot topic, though!

I think rosewood is better .............






(for me)

Shredhed i'm absolutely sure that BigJay meant nothing offensive towards you in his post. It reads to me like his saying 'your choices are your own and you dont need to justify them to anyone'. Which seems to be the general ethos of every member on this forum.

_________________
No no and no

If you watch this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTi8ISIx ... re=related

which is a different Fender factory tour than the one CV posted a few days ago. At about the 3:10 mark Mike Eldred is on and he states (to paraphrase) that the choice of wood is the single most important factor regarding a guitar's sound, more important than pickups and electronics.

Now I am not a luthier, and nowhere near a professional musician (although I am an engineer with almost 30 years experience in materials, but that is another story) - so I think I will believe the head of the Custom Shop.

_________________
Ignorance IS bliss - and I am the happiest person here!

If that guy really ruined that relic body then Mike can send it to me if he wants rid of it. I'll even pay postage if he catches men in the right mood.

_________________
No no and no

C'mon now shred, tell us how you really feel!

_________________
"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

i like both

Don't worry about it BigJay, I got called a suck up last night for agreeing with Niki! Let it go like water off a duck's back. I did!

Nobody is responding to my post....probably too long to read, or.....whatever.

I am going to add this. When I decided to upgrade my MIJ L6S copy, I switched out the PU's, which were copies of Bill Lawrence superhumbuckers. Since it was a cheap guitar, I assumed the electronics were bad. But i used to get ok sounds from it, I just thought it could probably get better. I put in active EMG 81's and was surprized that the guitar sounded esentially the same. I had to remove a 6 position pickup selctor switch that put the stock pu's in a variety of configuations. I lost many of those tones. I won't say I was disappointed, but it was not drastic like I expected.

This means one of two things, the stock pu's and the EMG's were voiced pretty close and had similar output, or pickups only make a small difference...I don't know. But I think you just go in, play and pick what you like best

_________________
Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst