Solidbody guitars minimize the
vibration of the top/body in order
to maximize sustain and reduce
feedback. The strength and density
of the wood still makes a subtle
difference in tone. Mahogany is
generally considered to produce a
warmer tone than maple, which is
stronger and denser and produces
a brighter tone.
Laminate is not necessarily a bad
word in electric guitar construction.
If the lamination process is
designed to strengthen the wood,
then a laminate can be stronger
than a single, solid piece. The
body of a Gibson ES-335 is a good
example; it’s a three-ply laminate
with the grain of the middle section
running perpendicular to the
outer sections for added strength.
However, when wood is laminated
or spliced in order to save money
by using smaller pieces of wood,
quality and value fall dramatically.
Similarly, when a thin veneer is
used for cosmetic purposes instead
of a solid piece of wood, the maker
is cutting corners and quality falls.
Mahogany and maple are also the
most popular choices for a strong
neck. Fingerboard woods affect the
strength and stability of the neck,
which in turn affect tone. An ebony
fingerboard, for example, makes
the neck more rigid than the softer
rosewood fingerboard and results in
a sharper, brighter attack.
RULE 6
INSIST ON QUIET
ELECTRONICS
It’s the old saying about a chain
being only as strong as its weakest
link. Cheap electronics will sound
cheap, no matter how good the rest
of the guitar is.
7
