Old Wood

SunDevil

A while back, I had my request to get a set of humbuckers made from a guy in the US (his wife actually) declined, on the grounds that I wanted to put them in a new guitar - or more specifically, because I wasn't using 'old wood'

It turned out great, as I got a set of Bean-O's from Ash and haven't looked back since, but what's the deal here - is there a difference in tone that's discernible from old caps, pots etc?

Is the age of the tree a factor (surely all wood big enough to cut a 1 piece LP from is pretty old by human timescales?) or is this all about how long it's been dried for?

Does dry wood continue to mature in a way that would effect tone?

Would a guitar body made of the oldest hardwood available (or 'coal' as it's known in some circles)  be the best sounding guitar of all time?

Sporky

If that pickup maker seriously believes that then I wouldn't want their pickups. There's too much superstition in guitar building anyway.

As for the coal idea, it depends. Lignite is great for classic rock but doesn't have the same "bite" as anthracite. Fat coal, contrary to the name, has quite a thin, reedy, almost flute-like tone so ideal for Mike Oldfield covers. Forge coal and Nonbaking coal sound identical so don't waste money on the former unless it has really good figuring.

HTH.

Phil_aka_Pip

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hr3p2D8XeVE/UR2k6DmlfZI/AAAAAAABFJw/VYqCZlJ96ds/s1600/Ronnie_Wood.jpg

Whitecat

My Old Growth Redwood Telecaster continually vies for the title of "most resonant guitar" I own (or have ever played.)

It's made from wood that was harvested originally in the late 19th century, and could have been from trees hundreds of years old...

Certainly not scientific proof but a good example of "old wood = better."

There are guitars out there made from bog oak and kauri, which can be thousands of years old, but it tends to be reclaimed from underground so it's not doing much curing while it sits there and waits covered in muck and soil and bog water... 

crunchman

Guitars do seem to get better as they age.  They also seem to go a bit dead if they are not played much so I think it's not just age, but the effect of vibration on the structure of the wood. 

Refusing to sell someone pickups does seem a bit stupid though.

Skipped

I like those Tele bodies that are made from a 105 year old barn door.
I might ask my Fender dealer if he can swing it for me.

Phil_aka_Pip

SunDevil said:

A while back, I had my request to get a set of humbuckers made from a guy in the US (his wife actually) declined, on the grounds that I wanted to put them in a new guitar - or more specifically, because I wasn't using 'old wood'

Why would he care, so long as he's selling product?

SunDevil

Sporky said:

If that pickup maker seriously believes that then I wouldn't want their pickups. There's too much superstition in guitar building anyway.

As for the coal idea, it depends. Lignite is great for classic rock but doesn't have the same "bite" as anthracite. Fat coal, contrary to the name, has quite a thin, reedy, almost flute-like tone so ideal for Mike Oldfield covers. Forge coal and Nonbaking coal sound identical so don't waste money on the former unless it has really good figuring.

HTH.

..and coke is no doubt good for those Clapton tones, naturally!

KKJale

What a load of toffee-nosed cobblers from Mr Pickup Maker. 

"No, I won't paint your fence, not unless it surrounds a 16th century castle so my painting looks as good as possible."

Is he using old wire?   

xwolf5150

Do we get to know who this ego maniac pickup builder is ????

WezV

Wood changes at a cellular level as it ages. The cellulose very gradually hardens, become more brittle, and looses its hydroscopic abilities.

Tbh I don't think there are any electric guitars old enough for this to be a factor, but on 200 year old acoustics it can be seen. It happens quicker on thin woods and still takes that long to be visible.

I think the old wood thing comes about because it used to be easier to get big trees, and the big trees were generally closer to a river as it was the only means of transport. More water in the tree gives bigger cells and eventually a lighter wood.

Moe_Zambeek

The guitar world is full of these snake oil salesmen types. I'd consider that a lucky escape from what is probably a poor product at a premium price, give they are so insecure in their product they insist on 'old wood'.

SunDevil

wolf5150;1020885" said:

Do we get to know who this ego maniac pickup builder is ????

http://www.jmrolph.com

..at least the website is better than their customer service

Gassage

Thing is, there is method in his madness. The key thing is wood grew for longer 'back in the day*' - I know this through crucket bat studies- we don't see uber close grained grade 1 willow (the best) as the tree is felled well before that.

*when was 'the day' offiicially?

TTony

SunDevil said:

wolf5150;1020885" said:

Do we get to know who this ego maniac pickup builder is ????

http://www.jmrolph.com

..at least the website is better than their customer service

At least they have a consistent brand ethos and identity.

That website is definitely old-net.

SunDevil

@gassage - this maybe a dangerous question, but how many cricket bats do you have at this point?

Gassage

@SunDevil

3 on the go, one unused. I am lucky- I don't pay for them.

Sporky

And is "cricket bat" a euphemisim for Telecaster?

SunDevil

Sporky;1020917" said:

And is "cricket bat" a euphemisim for Telecaster?

Will the real Keef please stand up!

Strangefan

Utter rubbish, it's copper wire wound round 6 magnets, inhave made few great sounding pickups, and that's got rid of all the "bullshit that all these makers spout.

xwolf5150

TTony;1020911" said:

SunDevil said:

wolf5150;1020885" said:Do we get to know who this ego maniac pickup builder is ????

http://www.jmrolph.com



..at least the website is better than their customer service





At least they have a consistent brand ethos and identity.



That website is definitely old-net.

Yeah that website just SCREAMS quality to me.