Which Tele Roadworn - ash or alder?

[Webfoot]

I am helping a friend get a road worn. A store has one of each. Both play equal and weigh the same (looks are a don't care). He is looking for a versatile sounding guitar. So it is down to sound (I am trying to keep my preferences out of it).

Alder sunburst - low strings are darker and less distinct

Ash blonde - more midrange note clarity but less bass

[Gas-man]

Ash.

Then tell him to get an Alder RW Strat as well and he'll be set.

[Blue4Now]

He is looking for a versatile sounding guitar


you answered your question right there, Alder is generally more versitile. I love my alder RW tele, I specifically chose it over the ash model becuase i plan on it being my only tele.

[sqadan]

I tried an Ash bodied one at my local shop that blew me away.... It felt great and sounded exactly the way a good Tele should. If I had not just purchased another Tele myself, I would have taken it home.

I am tempted now to pick up a 60s RW Strat however... (it never ends does it?)

When they are setup right and the frets are not sticking half-way out of the fingerboard the Road Worn Fender are pretty nice IMO.

[gkoelling]

If I only had one Tele it would be an ash body with a maple neck.

If I only had one guitar, period, it would be an ash Tele with a maple neck.

[Webfoot]

Thanks for the replies... why did you choose ash or alder?

Is it because it fits a music style you are playing better... like hardrock or country or jazz?

[sqadan]

I would say Ash has a bit more mids.... Alder has a somewhat more emphasized highs.

I think Alder is better for jangly rhythm work - Ash better for overdriven leads. IMO.

[Blue4Now]

I find, as a general rule but keep in mind each peice of wood sounds different, that a body made from alder will have more mids. So for me, who want's to play more blues or more ZZ Top with a Tele, that alder works better.

[Blue4Now]

Hey sqadan, we certainly contradict one another, lol

hey I see you have a DY53, I have an 81 DY54, love that guitar!!

[Blue4Now]

alder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKfRoVpavqk

ash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a2Bk-r8A9U&feature=related

I think the alder is a bit prettier or sweeter sounding, the ash is harder and spankier.

[Blue4Now]

alder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcH5S2jylag&feature=related

Ash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfww11bJGDQ&feature=related

hope that helps

[sqadan]

Hey sqadan, we certainly contradict one another, lol

hey I see you have a DY53, I have an 81 DY54, love that guitar!!

Heh.... it's all in the ears of the beholder after all! :BEER

Yeah- I have no need for another acoustic... The Yairi has done fine by me for 15 years!

[Tubebender]

I feel the RW strats are overpriced, but never played one. I hear they have upgraded pups that sound great.
I have an mia ash/blonde strat that kicks butt, and I love the feeling of a heavy guitar. That's me.
I also have a bought new in 93 MIM alder strat, that is so damn comfortable and sweet and warm. It's a toss up.
The ash they say is "brighter". Whatever, the tone knobs on the guitar and amp should be able to dial in simmilar tones.
Tell your friend to go play them and make his own decision!!! From the above comments, they all rock.
TB

[RickC]

If I only had one Tele it would be an ash body with a maple neck.

If I only had one guitar, period, it would be an ash Tele with a maple neck.

what he said

/rick

[Sizeofanocean]

alder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKfRoVpavqk

ash:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a2Bk-r8A9U&feature=related

I think the alder is a bit prettier or sweeter sounding, the ash is harder and spankier.

Wow, that 56 sounds way better to my ears, and it's the one I'd describe as sweeter sounding too :), the neck pu especially sounded a bit lifeless on the 68, whereas the 56 sounded deeper to me. Ears of the beholder as was said before

[Boris Bubbanov]

If they weigh the same, get the alder one.

Here's why. My exposure to both, the ashes were light and the alders were heavy.

Light ash RWs are plentiful; what is harder to find is a less than heavy alder and if you can find it, grab it.

Plus, it will look great with a RW rosewood board when they wake up and start making those - it avoids the #1 goofy problem with the maple board that look silly.

[RickC]

Plus, it will look great with a RW rosewood board when they wake up and start making those - it avoids the #1 goofy problem with the maple board that look silly.

You're assuming they won't find a way to make the rosewood board look silly :)

[eronson]

i dig ash teles

[Polynitro]

I like Ash body/maple neck and Alder body/rosewood neck.

[Bikedude]

If I only had one Tele it would be an ash body with a maple neck.

If I only had one guitar, period, it would be an ash Tele with a maple neck.


+1, and I have 2 of em.

[Blue4Now]

If they weigh the same, get the alder one.

Here's why. My exposure to both, the ashes were light and the alders were heavy.

Light ash RWs are plentiful; what is harder to find is a less than heavy alder and if you can find it, grab it.



That's a good call and sort of what hellped me make up my mind about buying the alder one, other than of course the fact that it looks and sounds awesome. when are yo going to find a two peice alder tele at 6.6 pounds outside of the custom shop or a boutique builder?

While many of the ash ones i picked up are light.

I kinda like that 60's tele vibe as well

[Boris Bubbanov]

That's a good call and sort of what hellped me make up my mind about buying the alder one, other than af course the fact that it looks and sounds awesome. when are yo going to find a two peice alder tele at 6.6 pounds outside of the custom shop or a boutique builder?

While many of the ash ones i picked up are light.

I kinda like that 60's tele vibe as well


Finally occurring to me that the polyester finish on a lot of these other MIMs, being credit card in thickness, weighs something, too.

I hope they come out with a Closet Classic version of this guitar.

With a thick enough neck and better pickups, of course.:AOK

[JDW3]

Wow, that 56 sounds way better to my ears, and it's the one I'd describe as sweeter sounding too :), the neck pu especially sounded a bit lifeless on the 68, whereas the 56 sounded deeper to me. Ears of the beholder as was said before

Check out the '52, from the same guy. Even better.

[imonabuss]

Ash. That's all.

[rhinocaster]

To me, Telecaster = Ash body and maple neck.

That would always be my choice for a single Tele.

After that, sure bring on the alder or rosewood board.