Mixing Woods

[fenderbender4]

I know people usually debate single vs. multiple piece bodies, but I was wondering what people's experiences have been in regards to multiple piece bodies, but mixed with different woods, beyond the usual maple top on mahogany.

The madcat guitar has such a weird construction (7 pieces, walnut middle strip, two top "wings" of maple, sen middle, and 2 back "wings" of maple again). Does it just kind of turn into a glorified "pickup mounting device" past a certain point? Or have people found tonal benefits?

I've also seen the rare guitar that, for example has a flamed maple top AND back and wondering how that compares to the usual lone maple top.

Thoughts?

 

[SPROING!]

Firebirds were mahogany neck through with different wings weren't they?

 

[vlammie]

On the mad cat mixing woods turned out really well. In general, compared to a 'regular' strat or tele, they have more hi-end, more low end and a bigger dynamic range.

I don't know if it's because the wood-mix, or if they just use really good pieces of wood, but it's something special for sure.

My '84 mad cat sounds very similar to a brand new one, although the pickups are completely different, so I guess this particular wood construction contributes a lot to the unique sound they have.

 

[vlammie]

didn't Parker guitars use a lot of different woods inside, to shape the sound? And the they packed it in a plastic shell? I played on a really long time ago, but at the time they caused some waves.

 

[AudioEcstasy]

Very good ime, I love mixing tonewoods for great combos.

 

[fenderbender4]

Firebirds were mahogany neck through with different wings weren't they?

Yeah I believe so. I know a lot of the guitars in the 80s had multiple piece bodies.

Always been curious about the *sandwich* type guitars. Like I'm curious how a maple top + mahogany body would differ (if at all) from a maple top + maple back + mahogany body.