snap that an all-maple neck gives you is pretty
surprising if you’re used to…
ROSEWOOD
George Harrison had an all-rosewood Tele, but
the rest of us typically encounter it as a fret board
on a maple neck. Rosewood has a very balanced
tone. It feels a little spongier than maple, and the
attack is notably smoother.
BASSWOOD
For reasons perhaps lost to the mists of time,
basswood has been considered a less desirable
wood than ash or alder, but it offers a balanced
tone that’s reminiscent of the latter, with a slightly
more muted top end and a slightly softer low
end (and I do mean “slightly”). Also like alder, the
grain is nothing to write home about. That said,
while basswood is frequently used by American
companies for their offshore models, some
builders use basswood in their top of the line
builds, and do so proudly.
KORINA
When you’re used to the other woods mentioned
here, the even tonal balance of korina can seem
odd. The present, almost-but-not-quite bright top
end blends into the clear midrange, which slowly
gives way to a full-but-unobtrusive low end. In
other words, it seems very neutral without any
notable quirks. Korina sustains nicely and isn’t too
heavy, which made it a great choice for Gibson’s
Explorers and Firebirds.
PINE
Pine’s been making a comeback lately.
Presumably it fell out of favor because it’s a
softer (thus less durable) wood. However, it can
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