Thread: Sassafras qualities

Depends on what pickups you put in it?

Find an old Maton Bass, they were made of sassafras. http://www.maton.com.au/pdf/MGB%20Bass.pdf

Originally Posted by Fuscus

Find an old Maton Bass, they were made of sassafras. http://www.maton.com.au/pdf/MGB%20Bass.pdf

I play one of their JB4 models as my main instrument (almost identical to the above). Great sound with the PJ configuration in it, but it all comes down to what sound you want. A new set of strings always makes a difference . I find that the fingerboard material affects the tone the most in an electric, apart from the type of electronics it has in it. Body materials seem to really only have bearing on the sustain you get out of the instrument from my experience.

If you really want to have an idea, I'm making a neck through from a sassafras billet I got from woodturner777, so I could make a demo when it's done

yea thanks, it sounds great,
please send it to me, i look forward to it.

Originally Posted by IWieldTheSpade

I find that the fingerboard material affects the tone the most in an electric, apart from the type of electronics it has in it. Body materials seem to really only have bearing on the sustain you get out of the instrument from my experience.

Interesting that you state that body material only affects sustain....I think choice (and also design) of neck material would exert more control on sustain. It's certainly the case on an acoustic guitar. Your comment on the fingerboard affecting the tone the most on an electric is also interesting. Considering the fingerboard makes up a small proportion of the mass of the neck I think would also challenge this.

Wood density is going to be a major control on sustain of both an electric or acoustic guitar. Through neck electrics will generally have better sustain also. If the neck is very thin and makes up a large proportion of the mass of the neck then it might exert some control on tone/sustain but a 6mm thick fretboard IMO will not be the part of an electric exerting most control on tone.

Sassafras qualities mind blowing excellant tonewood good sound volocity and density little soft against some of the other species but thats not a problem just dont bash it around' easy to work and carve and get the right piece looks nice' one of my customers just finished a build using Tasmanian blackhearted sassafras photos attached.
Cheers Bob

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That is definitely some fantastic Sassy.

Same customer that did your avatar model.

Originally Posted by stevemc32

That is definitely some fantastic Sassy.

Same customer that did your avatar model.

It is nice and note the sassafras even has a few borer holes but no worries I do not charge any extra for borer holes. build was by Andrew Clarke.
http://www.screamingeagle.com.au