Telecaster Tone Woods

[Ventura]

I can't believe I'm writing this up as a thread... My dislike for all things Tele has recently turned into an incredible case of GAS, if for nothing more than to realize I really can't stand 'em. I've done the Strat thing, and I can't get on with 'em. There's something mysteriously simple and unique that's compelling me to get into a Tele. I want the twang, grit, cut and spank - if for nothing more than to say "been there done that", or, at best, to say "wow, I'm diggin' this new vibe!!".

So, RT-Brethren, my question to you... I have the choice between an Alder body or a Swamp Ash body. I'm staying true to the maple neck, the vintage hand wound single coil pups, and although most of the newer Tele's are coming with the 6 saddles ashtrays, I'm going to be retro-fitting it right off the bat with a Callaham or a Wilkinson compensated 3 barrel ashtray model. I want as authentic as possible, without the stupidity of poor intonation

What's the best wood and why? As mentioned above - spank, grit, grind, twang - this is what I'm going for. Matched with a solid maple neck/fretboard, what wood is going to be my kinda wood.

Thanks immensely
Mo, the Tele Luddite

PS - both options come with nitrocellulose finish, and I'm keeping it simple with a stain only, not a thick paint.

 

[Anonymous]

Very interested in where you go with this, simply because Im in the exact same boat you are in... I just wonder how these tele's will transfer into my heavier style of playing. I will be pretty much going the exact same route you will with a maple neck, and low output single coils... but I need to know if there is a more stable tuning system that can work with these tele's if what you are saying is true and they dont hold their tuning. What kind of Tele are you looking at? Anderson, Fender, ect???

 

[Ventura]

Very interested in where you go with this, simply because Im in the exact same boat you are in... I just wonder how these tele's will transfer into my heavier style of playing. I will be pretty much going the exact same route you will with a maple neck, and low output single coils... but I need to know if there is a more stable tuning system that can work with these tele's if what you are saying is true and they dont hold their tuning. What kind of Tele are you looking at? Anderson, Fender, ect???

I'm staying true to form and going with a Fender Custom Shop Tele. The variety that I'm looking at have the vintage wound pups, the 4 position slide toggle, and come with the flat mount 6 saddle bridge system - as mentioned - this will be replaced with a more authentic 3 barrel system; but one made by a solid aftermarket manufacturer in order to better handle true tuning and intonation. I've done a lot of research these past few days - seems the country twangers are more into the locking tuners for 'behind the nut' bends - a common practice with Teles due to most of them choking on the fretboard when being bent (due to their radius of 9.5"). I'm happy with either style of tuner, but the custom shops I've been looking at are for the most part, standard Fender/Schaller staggered non-locking; the locking is an upcharge.

Ash is an original wood; therefore probably more true to form as the original, but apparently a touch brighter and not as sustaining as alder. Alber is more 'rounded' in all frequencies, and offers slightly better sustain - again - all on paper. A great ash body will vibrate like crazy which gives the axe it's liveliness; but alder is more stable.

I'll keep you posted - if any other teleheads can chime in, it'd be greatly appreciated

Mojo

 

[TeleBlaster]

Swamp ash body, rosewood neck.

 

[threadkiller]

I went ash. It's snappy and bright which is what I want in a tele.

 

[rupe]

Go with a lightweight piece of ash for its "spank, grit, grind, twang"
Seriously, if you want traditional, the original butterscotch/black guard Teles were swamp ash.

 

[rlord1974]

Swamp ash. If you truly want the vintage Tele tone, there's absolutely no question. Alder would give you a more versatile guitar to work with, but that's not what you're looking for...

 

[boost]

Swamp ash/maple neck is what I have on my 2000 American Standard. Big bottom and a lot of twang. As far as tuning, it's the most stable guitar I have. Swapped out the electronics and pickups and that guitar is done.

You should be fine intonation wise with a Callaham or Rutters bridge. I've got slanted saddles on another tele and they sound fine.

I'm sure you already checked it out, but just in case find out how many holes are being drilled for the bridge. The modern type ones are 3 while the vintage ones are 4. Since you want to swap to the vintage type bridge, you want the 4.

 

[gibson08]

"Old Growth",,thats all I'm sayin.

 

[Anonymous]

1 piece sugar pine body/maple neck

 

[rupe]

1 piece sugar pine body/maple neck

You're going into pre-Tele territory there. They did a limited run of those a few years back.

 

[Ventura]

Thanks for the feedback gents

Ya ya, I'm seeing the ash as more of an authentic wood to go with, but a lot of cats out there swear by the well-roundedness of alder. Then again, a lot of cats on the tele forums are saying 'don't mean shit the kinda wood yer using boyee, don't mean shit...ash, alder, pine...all sounds da same young buck!!'. So who really knows I'm also seeing more peeps saying neck/fingerboard wood is truly the dictator of tone in the tele, but overall, slap a big metal ashtray bridge on any hunk of tree and you'll get a similar sound. So it goes...

As for the holes of the bridge - yep - I'm on this like a fat kid on a Smartie. I've got it all sorted out.

Will keep y'all posted men!! (and Laura) Thanks for the chime ins.

Mojo

 

[tom_h]

I'm late to the party here, but... if you want a traditional Tele, you want it to be Swamp Ash.

 

[craftm1]

Swamp Ash and love it

 

[threadkiller]

You'll be selling your LP's soon

 

[Ventura]

You'll be selling your LP's soon

I don't think so...

But hey, never say never, right?

Peace,
Mojo

 

[GtrWiz]

Stick with Ash if you want a traditional sound, though I've played a couple Pine tele's that sounded great!

 

[GtrWiz]

Stick with Ash if you want a traditional sound, though I've played a couple Pine tele's that sounded great!

 

[King Crimson]

There's no such thing as Fender tone woods.

The best body tone wood is black Korina.

 

[Anonymous]

1 piece sugar pine body/maple neck

You're going into pre-Tele territory there. They did a limited run of those a few years back.

For sure - it is just what my Creston Tele clone is made of and it sounds so damn good...

Steve