Does Tone Wood Matter on Electric Instruments?

[eric.kiser]

@Barney

@eric.kiser nice work fella. When you set out on a fishing trip you never know whether it’s going to be a bust or bonanza. But only a few more replies until the century on this one.
I think you should get some kind of badge

This is particularly funny considering, the first post on this thread posted by @howard…

@howard

I am reminded of this thread, where no amount of “listen to them yourself and decide” worked.

Wonder what happened with that guy.

Favorite tone woods (body)- and why
Still trying to get to the bottom of this one- What is your favorite tone wood for the body of your bass- and why. Specifically- What are your thoughts on solid mahogany body? Thank you!

Was me saying this…

@eric.kiser

Oh shit! It’s about to get messy in here.

The topic of tone wood and electric instruments can and has generated huge, hateful, and endless flame wars. Tread lightly and with great trepidation.

At the top of this discussion, is whether the wood matters at all. One camp says all you’re hearing are the strings, pickups, and technique, with the wood being completely irrelevant to the tone. The other camp says the wood is relevant and it is the foundation of the tone.

These two sides have been debating each other with great fire and fury since the beginning of the Internet and to this day they still don’t agree and they still argue.

Edit: I think a solid mahogany body is really cool but I have no idea what affect it really has on tone.

I think it says all good things about this forum that we’ve been able to have this discussion without it devolving into anything awful.

These are the biggest things I’ve learned from this thread.

1. There are far too many peculiarities from one individual person to another that determine perception.
2. I don’t think anyone can categorically say, for someone else, where the magic in one particular instrument versus another particular instrument, comes from.
3. Don’t let anyone dictate what you play or what makes you happy for whatever reason it makes you happy.

To support #3, I submit this video titled Don’t Yuck My Yum.

Don't Yuck My Yum (ashow)