Wood Density on Slashdot

Slashdot | Wood Density May Explain Stradivarius Secret

Interesting article and discussion on Slashdot on wood density and Stradivarius violins... some folks in the discussion are extrapolating it to guitars. Maybe it means that with the right wood or wood processing, they might be able to produce the perfect sustaining, lightweight guitar?

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interesting

I think I remember reading something to the effect that the reason for the killer tone of a Stradivarius ( am I allowed to call the tone of a violin 'killer'?) was because of some obscure finish that nobody knows how to recreate. Who knows?

I think this sort of stuff is a lot more relevant to acoustic instruments. I've seen huge differences in sound on acoustic guitars of the same design based on minor changes in bracing or the top wood material. In my experience, the age of the guitar seems to also have a profound effect on the sound quality (actually maturing with age).

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I will say that when I played an EJ Strat at GC (not thru an amp), it was the most 'live' feeling solid body I have played with. Whether it's from the wood the body is made from or the vintage nitrocellulose (sp?) finish I don't know, but I felt the vibrations in my chest more than any other ax.

Could also be the 5 springs and perhaps an open back? Yeah, there is definitely something special about the EJ Strats. They should hurry up and start making them in Mexico and bring the price down to $700. I'm through with American Fender mass produced guitars. It's either custom shop Mexican made or high end relics for me from here on out.... (unless they mass produce that Andy Summers Tele in the USA).

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A $700 EJ Strat? That would be bad juju for BK. I can restrain myself just under $2k but at $700 I'd be picking up a new one about every other month!

That's the way Fender works.... they design a good thing in Corona (USA)...make it there for a few years, then they move it across the border to Ensenada (Mexico) and rename the guitar something else (50's Player's Classic)....and get all of the benefits of NAFTA. I realized this when I played a Mexican version of my 2002 American Deluxe Strat that was re-badged "2005 Pro Player's Series Strat." A few minor differences, but for the most part it was my guitar.

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