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https://www.thomann.de/gb/music_man_axis_super_sport_roasted_amber.htm
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
The majority of Ibanez Gilbert, Petrucci, Satriani and Vai signature electric guitar bodies are made from basswood. Most of the back of the Edward Van Halen Axis/Wolfgang/whatever body is basswood.
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There's nothing 'cheap' about it, save perhaps a residual association with 'budget' guitars. But this is mainly a reflection of how relatively abundant this wood is.
The simple fact is that lime/ basswood has been known for hundreds of years as being a relatively light, very stable, and ultimately very, very workable wood. Check out the carving work of Grinling Gibbons for instance in 17th/18th centuries. He worked almost exclusively with lime because it was malleable but tough.
Add all that into the guitar making context- where lime can be a tonally 'balanced' wood for electric guitars, and you have a real winner.
It is used widely in the Japanese Fenders, always has. I have one and there's no compromise on quality or tone. Underneath a nice think coat of lacquer it looks and sounds like a Strat.
True or not?
It dents a bit easier, and that lack of resistance to compression can cause issues on things like trem posts. It's also less pleasant to finish. It can be quite fuzzy in the grain and drink up a lot. You may think its smooth, then apply a finish and all those little microscopic bits of fuzzy grain swell quickly. Generally it needs something harder and more durable than nitro
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It is a fairly heavy body, and doesn't seem as soft as some of my later Peavey and EVH stuff, and my recent experiments with comparing ash and alder on frankensteins led me to believe I preferred alder as a body wood, for it's tonal signature.
I guess there's no real way of knowing now, outside of lab experiments on individual pieces, but there's definitely something in between mahogany and swamp ash that I like about it.
As WezV said "partly true" because if everything is done properly you can expect a great performing guitar.
Also, my JEM was one of my heaviest guitars but then I don't play clunky old designs that belong in a museum
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/71752/basswood-is-only-for-cheap-rubbish-guitars-suhrly-not/p1
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I only learnt after it was basswood (I'd already assumed poly coated) - and was about to pick up the cork (ain't a real tele is it?) - and then came to my senses.
Gigged it thru a hot rod deluxe and few pedals Friday night and to my ears I don't think I've ever sounded better thru my rig. It sounded gorgeous....
There was a time when I wouldn't even consider something unless it was period correct with a nitro finish...
Re the OP, despite knowing that basswood is as good as aldar etc, I really struggle to overcome some completely irrational prejudice against it. And it is complete prejudice in my case, I've never even held a basswood guitar, let alone played or owned one. So I'm glad this topic came up and people who's opinion on this matter I respect have chipped in.
I'm not locked in here with you, you are locked in here with me.