Hey guys, I am a guitar player of two years and own a Strat, but I am planning on getting a different Strat as a backup and as simply something new for me to be able to play. Since I normally don't pay attention to these kinds of things, I thought I should put this up. Could anyone explain to me what the difference is in tone between an alder body on a Stratocaster and an ash body on a Stratocaster.

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jeff beck, jimi hendirx, and jimmy page

Here's a link for a little education

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/the_guide_to/ultimate_guitar_guide_tone_woods.html

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

Ash is also supposesedly heavier then alder.... although some ash are lighter then alder.. Brighter sound from ash too..

This is b/c there are 2 different kinds of ash. Northern White Ash & Swamp Ash. Northern White Ash, which most people just refer to as ash, is VERY heavy.....Swamp Ash is very light. The grain of the two look very different as well. Ash is alot heavier than alder, and swamp ash is just a little lighter than Alder. An Ash body can way as much as 5-5.5 lbs, an alder body will be more in the low to mid 4 lb range & swamp ash in the high to low 4's (from what I've seen weighing unpainted body blanks over the years )

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www.SimsCustomShop.com

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www.SimsCustomShop.com

I know that ash is ususally used in translucent finishes because the grain is more vivid, and produces a nicer looking product. Alder has a more plain grain pattern, and is used on solid finishes.
As far as tone is concerned, it seems that ash can produce a brighter tone. It was the first wood used in the 1950s for Strats.
I own Strats that have bodies made from alder, ash, basswood, mahogany and plywood(not a Fender) and feel that the pickups define the tone moreso than the body wood. I am not saying that it doesn't affect tone, I just feel the electronics, and maybe the fretboard influence tone more than the type of body wood.

I'd have to agree. Most people with limited experience probably won't be able to distinguish the difference in tone. Also weight is very subject. Some associate light with ease of use while other feel a light guitar as being cheap. The electronics, both on board and the amps and stomp boxes need to be worked with to really get to know the guitar.

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

Not always. My AD Tele is Alder and the color is Crimson transparent.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

Ok i see... Tks for the correction!