ianwild16 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) Is there a 'basswood' tree? or is it a fancy name for chipboard? the squiers are made out of this...which other guitars are? Edited December 4, 2009 by ianwild16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveO Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 [quote name='ianwild16' post='674543' date='Dec 4 2009, 11:13 PM']Is there a 'basswood' tree? or is it a fancy name for chipboard? the squiers are made out of this...which other guitars are?[/quote] I was looking at this when we were talking about pine basses a few weeks back. On this side of the pond we call it [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia"]lime[/url] (noting to do with the green fruit) It has a [url="http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wood-density-d_40.html"]density similar to that of pine.[/url] thats as far as I got with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 As I mentioned in your Squier post, check out the MusicMan Bongo's for a 'higher end' bass made from Basswood. A lot of Ibanez Guitars also use it as body wood, including a lot of the Prestige range Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I remember hearing that it was a cheap wood which is used for a lot of furniture over in the USA. Nothing wrong with it mind. Doesn't sound as good as Dragonwood or Malaysian Mystery Wood though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) I've had a precision made of basswood (many japanese fenders are basswood) and yeah my bongo is basswood. There's nothing wrong with it, like so many people will tell you there is. My P sounded sublime and my Bongo...well sounds like a Bongo, freakin awesome. It's just not an attractive wood, you won't see it on any natural finished basses, possibly on cheaper trans finish basses. Some manufacturers (including EBMM) use basswood as the main wood on guitars, but use mahogany 'tone blocks' or other woods to alter the tone. Edited December 4, 2009 by Duarte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Basswood has often been described as having a mid emphasis and poor lows. Its popular with Ibanez because they use it a lot in their guitars. The lack of lows can be compensated for with pickup design but it takes a bit more focus on the design to come up with a good sounding instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 The Fender CIJ Blue Flower & Pink Paisley designs are basswood. I quite like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d-basser Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 one of the downsides to basswood is that it is almost grainless so useless for natural or transparent finishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 And the cheapest stuff can have green and black ugly lines through it. It's not attractive, but again, for athe purpose of an instrument, there is nothing really wrong with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwild16 Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 ....mmmm...so for a solid coloured guitar...what does it matter?.....will the finish start to split at the screws in 20+ years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwild16 Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share Posted December 5, 2009 [quote name='Sibob' post='674557' date='Dec 4 2009, 10:27 PM']As I mentioned in your Squier post, check out the MusicMan Bongo's for a 'higher end' bass made from Basswood. A lot of Ibanez Guitars also use it as body wood, including a lot of the Prestige range Si[/quote] sorry.....saw your reply to my original post after i'd started this post....soz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 its also easy to work, medium density/weight and relatively abundant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 My favourite bass is a CIJ Jazz made of basswood. It's sunburst and not the prettiest but has a lovely tone to it. Got rid of it once but managed to track it down and got it back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdavid Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 [quote name='King Tut' post='674670' date='Dec 5 2009, 02:15 AM']My favourite bass is a CIJ Jazz made of basswood. It's sunburst and not the prettiest but has a lovely tone to it. Got rid of it once but managed to track it down and got it back![/quote] Is that the one you sold/traded to Deaver that I bought off him then swapped with you for the Ibby SR900 , if so then im glad your enjoying the bass , funny how things work out sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 [quote name='Crazykiwi' date='Dec 4 2009, 11:07 PM' post='674580'] Basswood has often been described as having a mid emphasis and poor lows. Sounds like they gave it the wrong name then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Although the name is apparently pronounced the same as the fish, not the instrument! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tut Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 [quote name='markdavid' post='674676' date='Dec 5 2009, 02:32 AM']Is that the one you sold/traded to Deaver that I bought off him then swapped with you for the Ibby SR900 , if so then im glad your enjoying the bass , funny how things work out sometimes [/quote] That is indeed the one! You getting on with the Ibby? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdavid Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 [quote name='King Tut' post='675204' date='Dec 5 2009, 07:24 PM']That is indeed the one! You getting on with the Ibby?[/quote] I have traded it for a 5 string Ibanez as I wanted a low B , I wanted to stay with Ibanez as the SR900 played and sounded so good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 (edited) What is basswood? An over excitable response to lush bass gear!!!! I'll get me coat Edited December 5, 2009 by derrenleepoole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 The Fender J Mascis Jazzmaster (MIJ) has a basswood body too. With regards to Fender, i think it's used mostly in the MIJ models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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